PCIe-8364 is designed for use in a system that might require hardware, drivers, and software to optimize PCIe-8364 for your application. Use the minimum required PCIe-8364 system components as a starting point for building your system.

Table 4. Minimum Required PCIe-8364 System Components
Component Description and Recommendations

Host Computer

 A laptop or PC with a PCI Express expansion slot houses the PCIe-8364 and supplies power for PCIe-8364 functions.
PXI Remote Control Device Your PCIe-8364 MXI-Express x1 target board installs in the host computer. The PCIe-8364 connects to the host board with an x1 copper cable.
Expansion PXI Express or CompactPCI Express Chassis

The PXIe chassis houses the PXI remote control target board and application instruments to interface with the PCIe-8364.
Note If your system uses a MXI Express chassis, an expansion PXI Express or CompactPCI Express chassis is not required to use the PCIe-8364.

MXI-Express Chassis or Target Controller

 A MXI Express chassis or MXI Express target controller installed in the PXI chassis, which allows you to control PXI and CompactPCI systems from your computer using a fully transparent MXI-Express link.
Cables and accessories

Connect the PCIe-8364 in your computer to the PXI Express module in the chassis. Refer to Cables and Accessories for recommended cables and accessories and guidance.
PXI Platform Services driver

 Instrument driver software that provides support for PXI chassis and controllers, implements PXI software specifications, and supplies system services to other NI products.
Note For optimal performance, use the most current version of PXI Platform Services driver with the PCIe-8364. You can find the PXI Platform Services driver requirements in the PXI Platform Services Release Notes.
NI Applications

 NI-DCPower offers driver support for the following applications:
  • InstrumentStudio
  • LabVIEW
  • LabWindows/CVI
  • C/C++
  • .NET
  • Python

PCIe-8364 Compatibility with Host PCs

The BIOS of some host PCs might not support the essential MXI-Express functionality. NI provides a combination of supplemental software and onboard PCIe-8364 features to address this issue.

The BIOS of some host PCs might not support the extension of the PCI-Express fabric. Since this extension is the primary function of MXI-Express products, those systems might not boot or function correctly. To address this issue, NI offers MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility software, available at ni.com/downloads. If you use MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility software, you must toggle the BIOS DIP switch on the PCIe-8364 to enable BIOS compatibility.

Note

Unless MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility software is installed on the host PC, the BIOS DIP switch must remain in the disabled (default) position. If the BIOS mode is enabled on the PCIe-8364 without the MXI-Express BIOS Compatibility Software installed on the host PC, the connected devices will not be detected by the operating system.

Refer to DIP Switches for more information. Refer to Block Diagram for the location of the DIP switch.