diff --git a/unittests/data/test_data.py b/unittests/data/test_data.py
index 50e83f1a1..b1afdada4 100644
--- a/unittests/data/test_data.py
+++ b/unittests/data/test_data.py
@@ -373,3 +373,82 @@ def test_get_monitors(self):
         self.assertEqual(3, PacmanDataView.get_ethernet_monitor_cores())
         self.assertEqual(VariableSDRAM(200 + 100 + 55, 10 + 15),
                          PacmanDataView.get_ethernet_monitor_sdram())
+
+    def test_required(self):
+        writer = PacmanDataWriter.setup()
+        with self.assertRaises(DataNotYetAvialable):
+            self.assertIsNone(PacmanDataView.get_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        with self.assertRaises(DataNotYetAvialable):
+            self.assertIsNone(PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # required higher than in graph
+        writer.set_n_required(None, 20)
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertEqual(20, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+        writer.set_n_chips_in_graph(15)
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertEqual(20, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # required higher than in graph
+        writer.set_n_chips_in_graph(25)
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertEqual(20, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # reset does not remove required
+        writer.start_run()
+        writer.finish_run()
+        writer.hard_reset()
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertEqual(20, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+
+        writer = PacmanDataWriter.setup()
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # in graph only
+        writer.set_n_chips_in_graph(25)
+        self.assertEqual(25, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # reset clears in graph
+        writer.start_run()
+        writer.finish_run()
+        writer.hard_reset()
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # N boards
+        writer = PacmanDataWriter.setup()
+        writer.set_n_required(5, None)
+        self.assertEqual(5, PacmanDataView.get_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # boards does not hide in graph
+        writer.set_n_chips_in_graph(40)
+        self.assertEqual(5, PacmanDataView.get_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertEqual(40, PacmanDataView.get_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # reset does not clear required
+        writer.start_run()
+        writer.finish_run()
+        writer.hard_reset()
+        self.assertEqual(5, PacmanDataView.get_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # two Nones fine
+        writer = PacmanDataWriter.setup()
+        writer.set_n_required(None, None)
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_boards_required())
+        self.assertFalse(PacmanDataView.has_n_chips_needed())
+
+        # Ilegal calls
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            writer.set_n_required(5, 5)
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+            writer.set_n_required(None, -5)
+        with self.assertRaises(ValueError):
+             writer.set_n_required(0, None)
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            writer.set_n_required(None, "five")
+        with self.assertRaises(TypeError):
+            writer.set_n_required("2.3", None)