Installation and Configuration

This section explains how to unpack, install, and configure the MXI-Express x4 hardware and software.

Unpacking

Your MXI-Express x4 cards are shipped in antistatic packages to prevent electrostatic damage (ESD) to the devices. ESD can damage several components on the device.

Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors. Doing so may damage the device.

To avoid such damage in handling the device, take the following precautions:

  • Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object.
  • Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis before removing the device from the package.

Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device into the computer or into a PXI Express or CompactPCI Express chassis.

Store the device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.

Hardware Installation

The following are general instructions for installing the MXI-Express x4 cards. Consult your computer user manual or technical reference manual for specific instructions and warnings.

Installing a PCIe-8371/8372

Complete the following steps to install the PCIe-8371/8372 in your computer.

  1. Power off your computer.
    Caution To protect both yourself and the computer from electrical hazards, your computer should remain off until you finish installing all hardware as instructed.
  2. Remove the top cover or access port to the PCI Express expansion slots.
  3. 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.
  4. Unplug the computer and wait 30 seconds to allow the energy stored in the computer’s power supply to fully dissipate.
  5. Select any available PCI Express expansion slot (x4 or wider).
    Note Using a PCI Express slot wider than x4 may result in negotiation down to x1 width, which will reduce throughput performance. This is rare in modern systems.
    Note The BIOS or motherboard may not support the PCIe-8371/8372 in a slot intended for a graphics card.
    Note Not all PCI Express expansion slots that have x4 or wider physical connectors are electrically capable of x4 PCI Express operation. Check with the motherboard manufacturer to verify that the slot is capable of x4 PCI Express operation.
  6. Locate the metal bracket that covers the cut-out in the back panel of the computer for the slot you have selected. Remove and save the bracket-retaining screw and the bracket cover.
  7. Line up the PCIe-8371/8372 with the slot on the back panel. Slowly lower the PCIe-8371/8372 until its card-edge connector is resting on the expansion slot receptacle. Using slow, evenly distributed pressure, press the PCIe-8371/8372 straight down until it seats in the expansion slot, as shown in the figure below.
  8. Secure the PCIe-8371/8372 to the back panel rail using a bracket retaining screw.
  9. Replace the computer cover.
  10. Plug the computer back in.
Figure 5. Installing the PCIe-8371/8372

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  1. PCIe-8371/8372
  2. PCI Express x4 Card-Edge Connector
  3. PCI Express Slot (x4 or wider)

Installing the Low-Profile Bracket on the PCIe-8371 (Optional)

To install the PCIe-8371 in a host computer that requires a low-profile height card, you must replace the front bracket with the low-profile bracket included with your kit. Complete the following steps to replace the bracket.

  1. Remove the standard height front bracket already installed on your PCIe-8371 card by removing the two 4-40 × 1/4 inch Phillips head screws that attach the bracket to the card. Note that the two mounting tabs for the standard height bracket rest against the front side of the card, which is the side upon which the cable receptacle connector housing rests. Set the two screws aside to re-use when installing the low-profile bracket.
    Figure 6. Removing the Standard Height Bracket from the PCIe-8371

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    1. Standard Height Bracket
    2. EMI Gasket
    3. LED
    4. Front Side of Card
    5. Connector Shield
    6. 4-40 x 1/4 inch Phillips Head Screws (x2)
    7. Mounting Tabs
    8. Bracket Hole for Connector Shield
    9. Bracket Hole for LED
    Caution When removing the bracket, be careful not to remove or lose the EMI gasket on the cable receptacle connector housing.
  2. Fit the low-profile bracket onto the PCIe-8371. Note that the two mounting tabs that the screws thread into rest against the back side of the card for the low-profile bracket. Ensure that the front bracket LED bulb is situated in the display hole correctly.
  3. Align the mounting holes on the card with the threaded holes on the mounting tabs of the bracket, and insert the screws from the front side.
  4. Tighten each screw to a maximum torque of 3.6 lb · in.(0.407 N · m).

Cabling

MXI-Express x4 is available with copper cables of various lengths. The following table shows the MXI-Express x4 copper cables available from National Instruments.

Table 2. National Instruments MXI-Express x4 Copper Cables

Cable Length (Meters)

Description Part Number
3 m MXI-Express x4 copper cable 779725-03
7 m MXI-Express x4 copper cable 779725-07

Connect the MXI-Express x4 cable to both MXI-Express x4 cards. The cables have no polarity, so you can connect either end to either card.

Note Do not remove the cable after the system is powered on. Doing so can hang or cause errors in applications communicating with devices behind MXI-Express x4. If a cable becomes unplugged, plug it back into the system. (You may need to restart your computer.)

Powering On the MXI-Express x4 System

  1. Power on all of the expansion chassis in any order you choose.
  2. Power on the host.
    Note There are no requirements on how MXI-Express x4 expansion chassis are powered up relative to each other, as long as they are all on before the computer is powered on.
  3. Observe the LED status on the PCIe-8371, PCIe-8372, PXIe-8370, and PXIe-8374 where applicable. A properly connected and powered up system should report a valid link and power status on all of these boards once the host PC is powered on. Refer to the LED Indicators section for more information.

    Typical PCI-PCI bridges and switches are used to add PCI devices to a PCI hierarchy in which all the bridges and devices are contained within a single chassis. Because of this, BIOSes and operating systems make the assumption that all PCI devices in the entire hierarchy will be available as soon as code execution begins at power-up time. This assumption means that all of the expansion chassis must be turned on before the host PC for the BIOS and OS to correctly configure a MXI-Express x4 system.

Powering Off the MXI-Express x4 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 to not 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. However, once the host PC is powered off, the order that you power off the expansion chassis is not important.

Note To power down the chassis while the host PC or host chassis is on, you may need to hold the power button for at least four seconds. However, this behavior cannot be guaranteed.