Managing Aliases

Use an alias to reference a specific database file. An alias provides a shorter, easier-to-read name for use within your application. FlexRay and LIN protocols require alias names to be assigned to databases, while the CAN protocol does not.

Alias names are used in many NI-XNET features, including the deployment of database files to LabVIEW Real-Time targets.

When you open a database file in the NI-XNET Database Editor, the database name and path are automatically added to the Alias Manager.

Select View » Alias Manager to open the Alias Manager.

The Path information for a local alias cannot be modified manually, but you can specify or change the Name either before or after the database is added to the Alias Manager.

To add a database manually to the Alias Manager, do the following:

  1. In the Local Aliases section, click the cluster icon at the right of an empty row to open the Open Database window.
  2. Use the Open Database explorer window to locate a database file you want to add.
  3. Select the database file, and click Open.
  4. In Local Aliases, click the add symbol (+) to add a new row to the bottom of the list.
Note Alias Manager displays local aliases in the order they were added.

To display configurable properties for a database, click the gear icon at the right of the row to open the Alias Properties window.

To add an alias for an RT target, you must first provide the target hostname or IP address and valid connection credentials in the appropriate fields, and then click Connect. Once connected, click Deploy Alias to select a database to deploy.