NI LabVIEW RIO Evaluation Kit FAQ

1. NI LabVIEW RIO Evaluation Kit FAQ

• Using the Included Ethernet Cable
• Using a Cross-over Cable 
• Installing Evaluation Software
• Configuring and Validating the Evaluation Hardware

Using the Included Ethernet Cable

Where should I connect the included Ethernet Cable?

The easiest way to connect to the LabVIEW RIO Evaluation hardware (also referred to as the target) is via a local network with a DHCP server.  If you're connected to a network in your home or office, there is likely a DHCP server on the network which assigns IP addresses to connected network devices.  

If this describes your network configuration, simply use the included Ethernet cable to connect the target to a router or switch on the same network as your Windows development PC. This will allow the target to receive an IP address from your DHCP server automatically. If this does not describe your network configuration, see the next section.

Using a Cross-over Cable

A network with DHCP is not available to me.  How else can I connect to my evaluation hardware?

If the DHCP connection method described above is not available, you may connect to the RIO evaluation hardware directly. While many Ethernet cards feature Automatic Crossover which makes it possible to achieve this type of connection via a standard Ethernet cable (included), some require a special crossover cable for this (not included). If your Windows PC only has one Ethernet port, this will require disconnecting from whatever network your computer was previously on.

If you are unsure whether your Ethernet card features Automatic Crossover, check your Ethernet card's specifications.  It may be referred to as Automatic MDI/MDI-X, Auto Uplink and Trade, Universal Cable Recognition or Auto Sensing. Or simply try using the included Ethernet cable and see if it works.

Once the RIO evaluation hardware is directly connected to your PC, follow these steps to set it up:

1.  Open Control Panel.
   • Windows XP/Vista/7 default start menu: Start » Control Panel
   • Windows XP/Vista/7 classic start menu: Start » Settings » Control Panel
2. View Network Connections.
   • Windows XP category view: Network & Internet Connections » Network Connections
   • Windows XP classic view: "Network Connections"
   • Windows Vista/7 default view: "View network status and tasks" (under "Network and Internet")
   • Windows Vista/7 classic view: "Network and Sharing Center"
3. Open Local Area Connection Properties.
   • Windows XP: Right-click "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
   • Windows Vista/7: Select "View Status" next to "Local Area Connection," then select "Properties"
4. Open Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
   • Windows XP: Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list, then select "Properties"
   • Windows Vista/7: Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" from the list, then select "Properties"
     Note: if configuration fails with this selection, you may need to configure "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
5. Configure Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
   • Windows XP/Vista/7: Select "Use the following IP address:" and enter the following values (leave the rest blank):
     IP address: 192.168.0.1
     Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
6. Select OK and close the Local Area Connection Properties window.
7. On the RIO evaluation hardware press the reset button. Wait 30 seconds while the target reboots.
8. Continue the installation process outlined here and in the printed step-by-step quick start guide in your kit.  While using the National Instruments LabVIEW RIO Evaluation Setup utility, on Step 4 you should be prompted to configure the target's network settings. In the Manual section, leave the default values and select Manual IP.
9. The target should now have an acceptable IP address.

Installing Evaluation Software

What will be installed when I run the DVD installer?

The LabVIEW RIO Evaluation DVD will install 90-day extended evaluations of National Instruments LabVIEW, LabVIEW FPGA and LabVIEW Real-Time, a setup utility for configuring the evaluation hardware, and a folder of tutorials. 

What else is on the DVD?

In addition to the installer, the LabVIEW RIO Evaluation DVD contains a backup of the target restore image, tutorials, and additional getting started resources. This backup is located in the Embedded Evaluation folder on your DVD. These files are automatically copied to your computer when you run the DVD installer, but are accessible on the DVD if you ever need to restore your files.

I already have licensed version(s) of LabVIEW on my computer. Will this installer conflict with my licenses?

The evaluation licenses included in this installer should not override existing licenses unless they are evaluation licenses of a shorter duration. In other words, if you have activated versions of National Instruments software, they should not be affected by installing this kit. If you already have evaluation licenses of National Instruments software with a shorter duration, they will be extended by this installer.

My evaluation software has expired. How do I activate it so I can continue using it?

The LabVIEW RIO Evaluation DVD is for evaluation purposes only and cannot be activated. If you are satisfied with the software and would like to continue using it, please contact a National Instruments sales representative, or visit ni.com to find the product right for you.

Configuring and Validating the Evaluation Hardware

I've installed the LabVIEW RIO Evaluation software. Now what?

After installing the Embedded Evaluation software, reboot your computer. After the reboot, a program titled National Instruments LabVIEW RIO Evaluation Setup should automatically launch. This program will help you verify that the RIO evaluation hardware is set up correctly and is ready to be used in the tutorials. Use the Next button to go through all five steps of the setup program.

If this program does not appear automatically after the first reboot, you should be able to launch it by selecting Start»All Programs»National Instruments»LabVIEW RIO Evaluation Kit»Setup Utility.

Note: Your firewall software may prompt you to block or unblock this program from communicating with the target. Select unblock at these prompts.

I've scanned for devices, but my RIO evaluation hardware doesn't appear. What's wrong?

First, check the troubleshooting tips included in the setup utility. If these do not resolve your problem, there may be something wrong with your hardware or network. One way to troubleshoot is to force the RIO evaluation hardware back into a known network configuration. To do this:

1. Hold the Reset button down for 5 seconds, then release it. The Status
   LED turns on, then starts blinking three times every few seconds. The
   device is now in Safe Mode to attempt a new DHCP connection, proceed to step 2.
   
2. Hold the Reset button down for 5 s, then release it. The Status LED
   repeats the same behavior. The RIO evaluation device attempts to establish
   a new DHCP connection. If it fails, it assigns itself a link-local
   IP address. If the DHCP connection is successful and appropriate for
   your application, skip to step 4.
   
3. Configure the IP and other network settings in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) as instructed in the NI Getting Started with a Static IP Address article.
   
4. Press and release the Reset button to reboot the device.

If you are still not successful in connecting with your RIO evaluation hardware, you can see the current status and IP address of the device by enabling serial console out. For this process you need a serial cable adapter for the headers on your evaluation hardware and a serial cable (both not included in your kit) to connect between the serial port on the target and your host computer. Since these components are not included for more information on how to proceed please contact NI support at ni.com/ask.

I'm being prompted to configure my target's network settings. What should I choose?

Before testing the configuration, the program may need to configure the target's network settings and/or install LabVIEW software to the target.  If the target does not have a valid IP address, you will be prompted to configure the target's network settings. You should see two options, one automatic and one manual. In most cases, you will want to select the automatic option. This is for targets connected to the Windows development PC through a network router or switch with IP addresses assigned by a DHCP server.  If you're not sure what type of network you have, try this option first. In some situations, however, the target may be directly connected to the development PC with a crossover Ethernet connection (described above). In this situation, the automatic option will not work and you will instead need to manually assign an IP address. If you configured it as described above, you should be able to just select Manual IP with the default values.  Otherwise, follow the tips in the setup program to determine the appropriate settings.

My target is detected, but it tells me that "Installing Target Software failed."

Failure to install software to a detected target may be due to the target having an IP address on a different subnet. The last step on the Hardware Detection troubleshooting page explains how to manually clear your IP address so that you can reconfigure it with the utility. These steps are as follows:

1. Hold the Reset button down for 5 seconds, then release it. The Status
   LED turns on, then starts blinking three times every few seconds. The
   device is now in Safe Mode to attempt a new DHCP connection, proceed to step 2.
   
2. Hold the Reset button down for 5 s, then release it. The Status LED
   repeats the same behavior. The RIO evaluation device attempts to establish
   a new DHCP connection. If it fails, it assigns itself a link-local
   IP address. If the DHCP connection is successful and appropriate for
   your application, skip to step 4.
   
3. Configure the IP and other network settings in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) as instructed in the NI Getting Started with a Static IP Address article.
   
4. Press and release the Reset button to reboot the device.

After doing this, wait a few moments for your target to finish booting and select Rescan for Targets on the Hardware Detection page. Your target should appear (again), but this time you should be prompted to configure its network settings. If this succeeds, the setup utility should now be able to communicate with your target.

The setup program gets to the Hardware Test step, but it shows a Deployment Failed error.

If the target is not configured correctly, deployment will fail and you should see a troubleshooting screen. If there do not seem to be any problems with the hardware connections and settings, the target software may have somehow become corrupt. To perform a system restore on the target, note the warnings in the setup program and select Restore Target System. This will reformat the target, prompt you to configure the target's IP address (see above), and then re-image the target. This process may take several minutes. Once this completes, the program should attempt to test the target again.

If this fails, try manually resetting the target's IP address as explained in the previous answer. Then retry restoring the target.

The setup program says that "Deployment Finished," but I do not see the LCD displaying text. 

The small board on the target may be improperly connected.  Look closely at where these two boards connect and ensure that they are fitting together and that the small board is securely attached (there should be no more than 1-2 mm of visible pins between the connectors). If it is obviously connected correctly, it may be defective. Please contact National Instruments for help.

I have received an "Unhandled Error." What do I do now?

If for some reason you encounter an Unhandled Error Detected screen, there is probably something wrong with your configuration. First, retry the operation that failed. If this still causes an error, here are some troubleshooting tips. If none of these succeed in fixing the problem, please contact National Instruments for support.

• Ensure that the target is powered on (one of the four LEDs on the edge of the main board should be on) and located on the same subnetwork as the host PC.
• Press the reset button (next to the Ethernet jack on the main board). Wait a minute for the target to boot before trying the operation again.
• Check to see that the LEDs in the Ethernet jack are on or blinking. If they are not, ensure that the cable is fully connected at both ends, the Ethernet switch or router is powered on, and that the cable itself is not faulty (may need to try another cable to verify this).
• A firewall may be blocking communication with the target. Try temporarily reconfiguring or turning off your firewall to see if this fixes the problem. Warning: Leaving your computer in this state may make it vulnerable to attack. When you are finished troubleshooting, remember to restore the original firewall settings.
• If you are still not successful in connecting with your RIO evaluation hardware, you can see the current status and IP address of the device by enabling serial console out. For this process you need a serial cable adapter for the headers on your evaluation hardware and a serial cable (both not included in your kit) to connect between the serial port on the target and your host computer. Since these components are not included for more information on how to proceed please contact NI support at ni.com/ask.

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2. Next Steps

If you have completed all of the included tutorials, join the ni.com/rioeval/nextstep community to find more advanced exercises, learn about LabVIEW RIO industry case studies, and explore LabVIEW RIO platform products.

See the ni.com/rioeval/nextstep community.