PXI Installation/Configuration

1. In order to use the Real-Time capabilities of your PXI System, you must have LabVIEW and the LabVIEW Real-Time (RT) Module installed as well as the appropriate drivers for the devices in your PXI system. If you installed the drivers on the host computer prior to installing LabVIEW Real-Time, the Real-Time support would not have installed by default. These driver components for Real-Time can be added by re-running that driver's installer.
2. Launch Measurement & Automation Explorer by selecting Start>>Programs>>National Instruments>>Measurement & Automation

Fig1: Network Settings of PXI System

3. Boot up your PXI System and verify that your PXI System is detected by expanding the Remote Systems tree (click the [+] beside Remote Systems). Your device will show up as 0.0.0.0 if it has not been assigned an IP address. If your device is not listed, refresh the list by pressing <F5>. Devices which have not been configured with an IP address must be on the same local subnet as the host in order to configure the IP address. If your device is already configured with an IP address but is not on the local subnet, you may add it to remote systems by right-clicking on Remote Systems and selecting "Create New". Then complete the wizard to add your system.
4. Select the remote system by clicking on it once and then select the Network Settings tab at the bottom of the window on the right-hand side.
5. If your network uses DHCP, select the Obtain IP Address from DHCP Server radio button. If not, select the Edit the IP Settings radio button and click the Suggest Values… button. This will suggest settings based off of the network adapter in your computer. You will then be prompted for an IP Address. Choose one that is not already in use on the network and click OK.

Fig2: Obtaining IP Address from DHCP Server

Fig3: IP Address suggestion

6. If you wish, you can enter a more descriptive name for the remote system as well as any comments that you would like to include to describe the system and its components. When you are finished, click the Apply button at the top of the screen to save your changes.
7. Now, install the Real-Time software to the controller. This will allow you to run LabVIEW Real-Time applications on the controller. To do so, expand the tree for your PXI system by clicking the [+] beside it. Right click Software and select Install Software. A dialog will appear that will allow you to install the appropriate software to your controller.

Fig4: Installing Software to the PXI Controller

8. Click on the "X" next to LabVIEW Real-Time and select Install the feature. Do the same any other drivers required for your application. Click Next after selecting the desired software. The changes that will be made to the system will then be displayed. Verify your selections and click Next to install the software onto the PXI System. Click Finish when installation is complete.

Fig5: Selecting the software components to be installed

9. Now, identify the PXI Controller in the PXI Chassis. To do so, expand the tree for Devices and Interfaces of your PXI System by clicking the [+] beside it. Right click on the PXI System now listed under Devices and Interfaces and select Identify As, then select the controller choice that matches the controller installed in your system

Fig6: Identifying the PXI Controller

10. Now, identify the PXI Chassis as well. To do so, right click on the Chassis listed under PXI System and select Identify As, then select the chassis choice that matches the chassis of your system.