PXI and Linux - Linux - National Instruments

What is PXI?

PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) is an open specification governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (PXISA) that defines a rugged, CompactPCI-based platform optimized for test, measurement, and control. PXI combines PCI electrical-bus features with the rugged, modular, Eurocard packaging of CompactPCI and adds specialized synchronization buses. This makes it both a high-performance and low-cost deployment platform for measurement and automation systems. These systems serve applications such as manufacturing test, military and aerospace, machine monitoring, automotive, and industrial test.

All PXI systems include a controller. Controller options include remote control from standard desktop and laptop PCs, 1U rack-mount controllers, and high-performance embedded controllers. Embedded controllers eliminate the need for an external PC, therefore, providing a complete system within the PXI chassis. PXI embedded controllers are built using standard PC components in the compact, PXI package.

Using Linux with PXI

Because remote control of PXI, rack-mount controllers, and embedded controllers use standard PC components, you can use Linux distributions that support the x86 architecture with PXI. Additionally, National Instruments has specifically validated the following Linux distributions with the most popular NI PXI controllers:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3
SUSE Linux Professional 9.3
SUSE Linux Professional 9.2
Mandriva Linux (Mandrakelinux) 10.1 Official

Please refer to the Using Linux with PXI Controllers KnowledgeBase to determine which PXI controllers National Instruments has validated with which Linux distributions.

To learn more about National Instruments products from PXI, visit ni.com/pxi.