National Instruments NI PCIe-8362, NI PCIe-8361, NI VXI-8360T User Manual

VXI

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362, NI ExpressCard-8360, and NI VXI-8360T

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

January 2008
372145B-01

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Important Information

Warranty

The VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date
of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves
to be defective during the warranty period. This warranty includes parts and labor.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects
in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National
Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives
notice of such defects during the warranty period. National Instruments does not warrant that the operation of the software shall be
uninterrupted or error free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must be obtained from the factory and clearly marked on the outside of the package before
any equipment will be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shipping costs of returning to the owner parts which are
covered by warranty.

National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully reviewed for technical
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Determining FCC Class

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Consult the FCC Web site at

FCC/DOC Warnings

This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in strict accordance with the instructions
in this manual and the CE marking Declaration of Conformity*, may cause interference to radio and television reception.
Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department
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Changes or modifications not expressly approved by NI could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the
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Federal Communications Commission

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated
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www.fcc.gov for more information.

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information. To obtain the DoC for this product, visit
and click the appropriate link in the Certification column.

* The CE marking Declaration of Conformity contains important supplementary information and instructions for the user or

installer.

ni.com/certification, search by model number or product line,

Contents

About This Manual

Conventions ...................................................................................................................vii

Related Documentation..................................................................................................viii

Chapter 1
Introduction

What You Need to Get Started ......................................................................................1-2

Hardware Description ....................................................................................................1-2

VXI-MXI-Express Front Panel Features .......................................................................1-3

Advanced Configuration Options ..................................................................................1-4

National Instruments Application Software ..................................................................1-4

Chapter 2
Installation and Configuration

Installing the Software ...................................................................................................2-1

Installing the NI-VXI and NI-VISA Software ................................................2-1

Completing the Software Installation..............................................................2-2

Configuring the Hardware (Optional)............................................................................2-3

Installing the Hardware..................................................................................................2-3

Installing Your VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller .....................................2-3

Installing Your NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 x1 PCI Express to MXI-Express

Interface Card ...............................................................................................2-5

Installing Your NI ExpressCard-8360 ExpressCard MXI Interface ...............2-6

Connecting Cables...........................................................................................2-6

Powering Up the MXI-Express System ..........................................................2-7

Powering Down the MXI-Express System......................................................2-8

Software Configuration and Verification ......................................................................2-8

Chapter 3
Developing Your Application

NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and Related Terms..........................................................................3-1

Configuration.................................................................................................................3-2

Device Interaction..........................................................................................................3-3

Programming for VXI....................................................................................................3-6

Optimizing Large VXIbus Transfers...............................................................3-7

NI-VXI API Notes...........................................................................................3-8

Compiler Symbols.............................................................................3-8

© National Instruments Corporation v VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Contents

Compatibility Layer Options ............................................................ 3-8

Debugging ..................................................................................................................... 3-9

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Default Settings

Appendix C
Advanced Hardware Configuration Settings

Appendix D
Using The Trigger Ports On The VXI-8360T

Appendix E
VMEbus Capability Codes

Appendix F
Common Questions

Appendix G
Technical Support and Professional Services

Glossary

Index

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual vi ni.com

About This Manual

This manual contains instructions for installing and configuring the
VXI-MXI-Express series controller interface kit. It also discusses how
to start developing your VXI/VME application.

Conventions

The following conventions appear in this manual:

» The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options

to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.

This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.

This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to
avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on a
product, refer to the Safety section in Appendix A, Specifications, for
information about precautions to take.

bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such

as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter
names.

italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction

to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word
or value that you must supply.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the

keyboard, sections of code, programming examples, and syntax examples.
This font is also used for the proper names of disk drives, paths, directories,
programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names, functions, operations,
variables, filenames, and extensions.

monospace italic

VXI-MXI-Express This term implies any of the VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers, such as
Series controller the NI VXI-8360T.

© National Instruments Corporation vii VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value
that you must supply.

About This Manual

x1 MXI-Express This term implies any of the x1 MXI-Express host adapters, such as the
host adapter NI PCIe-8361, NI PCIe-8362, and NI ExpressCard-8360.

Related Documentation

The following documents contain information that you might find helpful
as you read this manual:

• Your computer and/or chassis documentation

• PCI Express Specification, Revision 1.0a

• NI ExpressCard MXI Series User Manual

• MXI-Express (x1) for PXI Express Series User Manual

• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1014-1987, IEEE Standard for a Versatile

Backplane Bus: VMEbus

• ANSI/IEEE Standard 1155-1998, IEEE VMEbus Extensions for

Instrumentation: VXIbus

• ANSI/VITA 1-1994, VME64

• VXI-6, VXIbus Mainframe Extender Specification, Rev. 2.0, VXIbus
Consortium

•NI-VISA Help

• NI-VXI Help

• Measurement & Automation Explorer Help for NI-VISA/NI-VXI

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual viii ni.com

Introduction

This chapter describes your VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface
kit, lists what you need to get started, and includes a brief description of the
hardware and software.

The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface kits link a
PCI Express-based host computer to the VXIbus using the National
Instruments MXI-Express (x1) interface. These kits make your computer
perform as though it were plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving
it the capabilities of an embedded computer.

The National Instruments VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers include the
NI VXI-8360T and any kit containing the NI VXI-8360T. The controllers
are C-sized VXI modules which plug into your VXI mainframe. The
VXI-8360T incorporates functionality allowing the extension of the 8 TTL
backplane triggers and CLK10 between multiple chassis through
convenient front panel connectors.

Several different MXI-Express (x1) interfaces are available with the
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.

• NI PCIe-8361 is a single port (x1) PCI Express to MXI-Express

• NI PCIe-8362 is a two port (x1) PCI Express to MXI-Express interface

• NI ExpressCard-8360 is a (x1) ExpressCard/34 MXI-Express interface

1

interface board. This board plugs into an available PCI Express slot
in the host computer.

board. This board plugs into an available PCI Express slot in the host
computer.

module that will work in both an ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54
slot. With the ExpressCard interface, hybrid VXI systems can be built
using National Instruments PXI and PXIe-based host computers. The
NI ExpressCard-8360 can also be used to bring mobile/laptop control
to the VXI system.

Kits that include a MXI-Express interface board also include a 3 m (x1)
MXI-Express cable. 1 m and 7 m cables are also available and can be
purchased separately.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

The kits also include the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software, which
is fully VXIplug&play-compliant. NI-VXI/NI-VISA is the National
Instruments implementation of the VISA I/O software standard on which
all VXIplug&play software components are based.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller interface kit, you
need the following items:

❑ A host computer with an available PCI Express slot

Windows XP operating system

❑ A PCI Express or ExpressCard to MXI-Express interface card

❑ A VXIbus mainframe

❑ A VXI-MXI-Express Series controller

❑ A x1 MXI-Express cable

❑ The National Instruments NI-VXI driver software CD

❑ This manual

Hardware Description

The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller is a C-size VXIbus Slot 0-capable
device that can reside in slot 0 of any C-size or D-size chassis.

Note D-size VXI mainframes have connections for a P3 connector. The

VXI-MXI-Express Series controller, however, does not have this connector
and cannot provide the necessary control for VXI devices that need P3 support.

1

running the

1

Some x16 slots may not work correctly with MXI-Express adapters.

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-2 ni.com

VXI-MXI-Express Front Panel Features

The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has the following front panel
features:

• Eight front panel LEDs

– FAILED—Indicates the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller

failed power on diagnostics.

– SYSFAIL—Indicates the VMEbus SYSFAIL line has been

asserted on the backplane.

– ONLINE —Indicates the board is detected and ready for use.

– ACCESS—Indicates a VXI bus master is accessing the

VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.

– CB—Indicates the circuit breaker has tripped from an over current

condition on the +5.0 V
controller.

– ACT—Indicates bus activity on the MXI-Express link.

– PWRGD—Indicates the on board power supplies are in

regulation.

– LINK—Indicates the MXI-Express link connecting the host

computer to the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller has been
established.

• Three front panel SMB connectors for:

– Trigger input

– Trigger output

– CLK10 I/O

• One x1 MXI-Express connector

• TRIG/CLK PORT A(B)—These ports allow the user to daisy chain

the eight TTL backplane triggers and/or CLK10 between multiple
chassis.

• CABLE STATUS LED

rail of the VXI-MXI-Express Series

DC

Chapter 1 Introduction

Off Indicates no cables are connected to the TRIG/CLK

PORT A(B) ports.

Blinking Red Indicates the cables are connected incorrectly to the

TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) ports.

Solid Green Indicates the cables are connected correctly to the

TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) ports.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-3 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Chapter 1 Introduction

Advanced Configuration Options

The VXI-MXI-Express default hardware configuration should be
acceptable for most systems. Refer to Appendix B, Default Settings, only
if your system uses the front-panel CLK10 and trigger SMB connectors.

The NI-VISA/NI-VXI bus interface software includes a Resource
Manager, an interactive configuration and troubleshooting program,
a comprehensive library of software routines for VXI/VME programming,
a logging utility you can use for debugging, and graphical interactive
control programs for interacting with VISA. You can use this software to
seamlessly program multiple-mainframe configurations and have software
compatibility across a variety of controller platforms.

NI-VISA has a comprehensive library of software routines not only for
VXI/VME programming, but also for GPIB, GPIB-VXI, PXI, TCP/IP, and
Serial. You can use this software to program instruments connected through
different types of interfaces.

Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) helps you view your
entire test and measurement system and configure various components,
whether they are VXI, GPIB, PXI, or Serial devices. You can easily
add VME devices to your system with MAX and view them in the
configuration tree along with the rest of your system. MAX features various
options for running the Resource Manager, Resman, such as performing
resource manager operations on your VXI systems and configuring Resman
to run automatically at startup. You also can execute Resman independently
to configure your instruments after each power cycle.

The NI Spy utility tracks the calls your application makes to National
Instruments drivers, including NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and NI-488.2. NI Spy
helps you debug your application by clearly highlighting the functions that
return errors. You can let NI Spy keep a log of your program’s calls to these
drivers so that you can check them for errors at your convenience.

National Instruments Application Software

In addition to the NI-VISA/NI-VXI software, you can use the National
Instruments LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and LabWindows
application programs and instrument drivers to ease your programming
task. These standardized programs match the modular virtual instrument
capability of VXI and can reduce your VXI/VME software development
time. These programs are fully VXIplug&play compliant and feature

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 1-4 ni.com

™

/CVI™

Chapter 1 Introduction

extensive libraries of VXI instrument drivers written to take full
advantage of direct VXI control. LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and
LabWindows/CVI include all the tools needed for instrument control, data
acquisition, analysis, and presentation.

LabVIEW is an easy-to-use, graphical programming environment you can
use to acquire data from thousands of different instruments, including
IEEE 488.2 devices, VXI devices, serial devices, PLCs, and plug-in data
acquisition boards. After you have acquired raw data, you can convert
it into meaningful results using the powerful data analysis routines in
LabVIEW. LabVIEW also comes with hundreds of instrument drivers,
which dramatically reduce software development time, because you do not
need to spend time programming the low-level control of each instrument.

Measurement Studio allows you to choose from standard environments
such as Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Visual Studio .NET to
create your application, using tools specific for each language. With
Measurement Studio, you can write programs quickly and easily and
modify them as your needs change.

LabWindows/CVI is an interactive ANSI C programming environment
designed for building virtual instrument applications. LabWindows/CVI
delivers a drag-and-drop editor for building user interfaces, a complete
ANSI C environment for building your test program logic, and a collection
of automated code generation tools, as well as utilities for building
automated test systems, monitoring applications, or laboratory
experiments.

To use any of these application programs, install them before installing
the NI-VISA/NI-VXI software. LabVIEW, Measurement Studio, and
LabWindows/CVI integrate the VXI and VISA libraries required to support
your VXI-MXI-Express. You also get hundreds of complete instrument
drivers, which are modular, source-code programs that handle the
communication with your instrument to speed your application
development.

© National Instruments Corporation 1-5 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Installation and Configuration

This chapter explains how to set up your test system.

Installing the Software

Use the Setup program that came with your NI-VXI/NI-VISA software to
install the entire software package or a software update, or to reinstall
software in the event that your files were accidentally erased. Some of the
utilities rely on the LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Engine. This software is
installed, if necessary, during the NI-VXI/NI-VISA installation.

Depending on the type of installation you choose, you may need up to
500 MB of free space on your hard drive to accommodate the NI-VXI and
NI-VISA software.

To be compliant with VXIplug&play specifications, a VXI controller must
provide the VISA I/O driver library standardized by VXIplug&play. VISA
ensures that your controller can run all VXIplug&play-compatible software
now and in the future.

2

The NI-VISA software in this kit is compatible with the WINNT/GWINNT
framework. With NI-VISA installed on your computer, you can run any
VXIplug&play software that is compatible with this framework. This
includes instrument drivers and executable soft front panel software
included with VXIplug&play-compatible instruments from a variety
of vendors.

Installing the NI-VXI and NI-VISA Software

This section describes how to install the NI-VXI and NI-VISA software.

Carefully read these directions along with any messages on the screen
before making your selections. You can quit the Setup program at any time
by clicking the Cancel button.

© National Instruments Corporation 2-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Caution To keep the manufacturer/model name tables or the VME device configuration

from a previous installation, be sure to back them up before starting Setup. They are in the

TBL subdirectory of your NI-VXI directory, usually Program Files\National

Instruments\VXI

.

Setup is an interactive, self-guiding program that installs the NI-VXI and
NI-VISA software and configures your system to use the software with
the VXI-MXI-Express. Complete the following steps to perform the
installation.

1. Insert the CD. When prompted, select Install NI-VXI from the menu.

If no menu appears when the CD is inserted:

a. Select Start»Run and enter the following text, where

b. Click the OK button to begin installing NI-VXI.

2. Click the Next button at the Welcome screen to start the installation
and accept the license agreement.

Note If you have a previous version of the NI-VXI software installed, Setup installs the

new version over the previous version.

CD drive (usually D):

X

:\setup.exe

X

is your

3. Select the installation features from the Features screen.

• For more information about the NI-VXI API, refer to Chapter 3,

Developing Your Application.

4. Click the Next button. After reading the license agreement(s), confirm
your acceptance.

5. Click the Next button. Confirm that you are ready to install and click
Next again to begin the installation.

6. Setup now copies the necessary files to your hard drive and creates
program icons.

Completing the Software Installation

Review the information in any README files that Setup prompts you
to read.

When the installation process completes, reboot the system for the changes
to take effect. If you backed up the manufacturer and model name files,
restore them to the
running MAX.

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-2 ni.com

TBL subdirectory of your NI-VXI directory before

Note If you save and restore the TBL files from an older version of NI-VXI, the software

will use TBL files that do not have the latest updates from National Instruments and may
not include recent hardware releases. If you added additional manufacturer or model names
to your TBL files, we recommend merging those changes with the latest updates included
with this version of NI-VXI, so that all your devices are properly identified.

Configuring the Hardware (Optional)

This section contains basic information about configuring your
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller hardware. Because the default settings
for your VXI-MXI-Express Series controller hardware are acceptable for
most typical applications, this section is optional.

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Refer to Appendix B, Defa
hardware and software default settings.

Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to change any
VXI-MXI-Express Series controller configuration settings.

For information about the software, including optional settings, use MAX
and its online help. Use the Windows Start menu to open the program group
for National Instruments, launch MAX, and select Help»Help Topics.

ult Settings, for a complete listing of the

Installing the Hardware

This section summarizes how to install your VXI-MXI-Express Series
controller hardware.

Caution To guard against electrostatic discharge, touch the antistatic plastic packages to a

metal part of your computer or chassis before removing the boards from their packages.
Your computer or chassis should be plugged in but powered off.

Installing Your VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller

Note Although the VXI-MXI-Express Series controllers are typically installed in Slot 0

of the VXI chassis, they may operate in other slots of the chassis. If you choose to install
the controller in a slot other than Slot 0, the automatic detection circuitry on the controller
will detect the slot and configure the controller appropriately, if the J2 jumper is set to
Auto-detect.

© National Instruments Corporation 2-3 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Cautions Having more than one device configured as system controller can damage the

VXI system. For VXI systems that include VME devices, ensure that the VME devices are
not configured in the upper 16 KB (starting from 0xC000) of the A16 address space. This
region is reserved for VXI device configuration registers, which are used for initializing,
configuring, and interacting with VXI devices. The VXI-MXI-Express Series controller
also uses this region for this purpose.

Also ensure that no other VXI devices in your system are manually configured for the same
logical address as your controller. The default shipping configuration is that the card
auto-detects if it is in Slot 0.

To install the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller in Slot 0 of your VXI
chassis, complete the following steps.

1. Power off the chassis.

2. Verify that the backplane connector is intact and that there are no bent
or missing pins on the controller.

3. Insert the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller into the chassis in
Slot 0, as shown in Figure 2-2.

4. Firmly press the VXI-MXI-Express Series controller into the mating
connectors to ensure the module is fully inserted and seated in the
connector.

5. Tighten the two ejector handle screws.

6. Power on the chassis.

The VXI system controllers operate certain VXI lines as required for
VXI systems. Verify that any other VXI devices with system controller
capability that are in the same chassis are not configured as system
controller.

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-4 ni.com

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Installing Your NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 x1 PCI Express to MXI-Express Interface Card

To install your NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 x1 PCI Express to
MXI-Express module, complete the following steps.

1. Power off your computer, but leave it plugged in while installing the
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362. The power cord grounds the chassis and
protects it from electrical damage while you install the card.

Caution To protect both yourself and the computer from electrical hazards, your computer

should remain off until you finish installing the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362.

2. Open the host computer or remove the top cover to gain access to the
host computer PCIe expansion slots.

3. Select any available PCI Express expansion slot.

Note The BIOS or motherboard may not support the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 in a slot

intended for a graphics card.

4. Locate the slot. Remove any slot and back panel covers and hardware
(for example, screws).

5. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer to
discharge any static electricity that might be on your clothes or body.

6. Line up the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 with the slot on the
back panel. Slowly push down on the top of the NI PCIe-8361/
NI PCIe-8362 until its card-edge connector is resting on the expansion
slot receptacle. Using slow, evenly distributed pressure, press the
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 straight down until it seats completely in
the expansion slot, as shown in Figure 2-1.

7. Reinstall the bracket-retaining mechanism to secure the
NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 to the back panel rail.

8. Replace the computer cover.

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Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

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2

1

1 NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362 Card
2 PCI Express Card Edge Connector

Figure 2-1. Installing the NI PCIe-8361/NI PCIe-8362

3 PCI Express Slot

Installing Your NI ExpressCard-8360 ExpressCard MXI Interface

Complete the following steps to install the ExpressCard interface card.

1. Power off your computer.

Note You may want to connect one end of the x1 MXI-Express cable to the

ExpressCard-8360 prior to installing it into the host computer.

2. Insert the ExpressCard-8360 in any available ExpressCard/34 or
ExpressCard/54 slot.

Connecting Cables

Connect the x1 MXI-Express cable to the VXI-MXI-Express Series
controller and then to the x1 MXI-Express host adapter in the host
computer.

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-6 ni.com

Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

Figure 2-2 shows a system that includes a PCI Express-based host
computer and a VXI-MXI-Express Series controller.

2

1

N

ATIO
IN
STR

NA

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L
M
EN

T

S

®

b
us

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4

1 Host Computer
2 VXI Mainframe

3 VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller in Slot 0
4 Host Cable

Figure 2-2. Host System with VXI-MXI-Express Series Controller

For information on connecting cables to TRIG/CLK PORT A(B) on the
NI VXI-8360T, refer to the Connecting the Trigger Port Cables section of
Appendix D, Using The Trigger Ports On The VXI-8360T.

Powering Up the MXI-Express System

Complete the following steps to power up the system.

Note All VXI expansion chassis must be fully powered before turning on the host

computer, otherwise the expansion chassis will not be detected by the host.

There are no requirements on how VXI-MXI-Express-based expansion chassis are
powered up relative to each other as long as they are all on before the host computer
is powered on.

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Chapter 2 Installation and Configuration

1. Power on all of the VXI expansion chassis in any order you choose.

2. Power on the host computer.

Powering Down the MXI-Express System

Because operating systems and drivers commonly make the assumption
that PCI devices will be present in the system from power-up to
power-down, it is important not to power off the expansion chassis until
after the host PC is powered off. Powering off the expansion chassis while
the host is still on can cause crashes or hangs. The order in which expansion
chassis are powered off, relative to each other, is not important.

Software Configuration and Verification

Complete the following steps to configure the software and verify the
configuration.

1. Run MAX. You must run the Resource Manager (Resman) every time
the chassis or computer power is cycled, so that your application can
access devices in the VXI chassis. You can also configure MAX to run
Resman automatically at every computer startup by selecting Tools»
NI-VXI»VXI Options from the menu and selecting the appropriate
checkbox.

2. You can also use MAX to interactively configure the National
Instruments hardware in your system. Use the right-click help for
information about the various configuration options. After you finish
configuring the system through MAX, verify the configuration
through the interactive control utility, VISAIC (Start»Programs»
National Instruments»VISA»VISA Interactive Control), as
described in Chapter 3, Developing Your Application.

Note If you are using extenders such as MXI-2 to create a multichassis system, you may

need to run Resman before configuring some of your devices.

VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual 2-8 ni.com

Developing Your Application

This chapter discusses the software utilities you can use to start developing
applications that use NI-VXI.

After installing the NI-VXI software, you can begin developing your
VXI/VME application. Be sure to check the release notes for the latest
application development notes and changes.

NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and Related Terms

Before you develop your application, it is important to understand the
difference between NI-VXI, NI-VISA, and similar terms.

• NI-VXI is the software package that ships with National Instruments
VXI and VME controllers. NI-VXI includes Measurement &
Automation Explorer (MAX), NI-VISA, NI Spy, Resource Manager
(Resman), VXI device drivers, and other utilities for configuring and
controlling your VXI or VME system.

• NI-VISA is the native API for communicating with VXI/VME devices.
NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation of the VISA I/O
standard, which is a common interface to many types of instruments
(such as VXI, GPIB, PXI, Serial, TCP/IP, and so on). NI-VXI is
optimized for use through NI-VISA, and NI recommends using
NI-VISA to develop all new VXI/VME applications.

•The NI-VXI API is an optional development environment that is
not part of the default NI-VXI installation. The NI-VXI API was
developed before NI-VISA; although NI-VXI still supports the
NI-VXI API, NI recommends using NI-VISA for all new VXI/VME
applications. If you must develop an application using the older
NI-VXI API, run the NI-VXI installer and enable NI-VXI API
Development. Be sure to review the NI-VXI API Notes section.

•The NI-VXI compatibility layer allows older programs that use the
NI-VXI API to communicate with VXI devices through VISA. Using
this compatibility layer, older programs can run in NI-VXI 3.0 or later
without being rewritten to use the VISA interface. This layer installs
with NI-VXI by default. It should be completely transparent and

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© National Instruments Corporation 3-1 VXI-MXI-Express Series User Manual