Configuring Channels

When adding a new device to the virtual device, NI Switch Executive automatically queries the switch and adds its channels, and their specifications, to the channel list. Each channel has a list of predefined attributes, as shown in the following figure:

Tip  If the attribute table is not visible, click .

Complete the following steps to configure channels:

1. Launch NI MAX with NI Switch Executive.
2. Expand Devices and Interfaces»NI Switch Executive Virtual Devices.
3. Select the NI Switch Executive virtual device to modify.
4. Click the Channels/Exclusions tab.
5. Select a channel to configure.
6. Accept the default alias of the channel, or modify it in the Alias textbox.
   
   

   Note  Some characters are reserved and cannot be used in channel names.

7. Type any comments you may have in the Comment textbox.

   Tip  Use the Comment textbox for organizational purposes. Place keywords or letters at the beginning of a comment for convenient sorting and filtering. Document information such as wire gauge and color.

8. Designate whether the channel is connected to a hardwire by selecting from the Hardwire drop-down listbox, as shown in the following figure:

   

   If the Hardwire drop-down listbox is not visible, click .

   Hardwires can also be defined in the hardwire panel of the Hardwires/Buses tab. Associations made in the hardwires interface are reflected here.

9. Enable the Reserved for Routing checkbox if the channel should be marked as reserved for routing.
10. Click the Disabled checkbox to disable the channel.

    Disabled channels are not used in connections/routes. Disabling a channel can be useful for making unused channels or channels with a damaged relay inactive.

11. Click on the NI Switch Executive taskbar to save the changes.

Tip  By using filters and selecting multiple items, you can perform mass configurations. Multiselection is particularly helpful when defining hardwires and configuration channels.