Getting Started

This section explains what you will need to set up various MXI-Express x4 hardware configurations.

The products covered by this guide are the PCIe-8371/8372 and PXIe-8370/8374. For the remainder of this manual, the term MXI-Express x4 product refers to any of these products.

Additional compatible products are included in subsequent tables, but are not covered in this manual.

Terminology

The following terms may be used throughout this document:

  • Host PC—A host computer with at least one PCI Express x4 or wider slot available.
    Note Using a PCI Express slot wider than x4 may result in negotiation down to x1 width, and therefore limiting bandwidth. This is uncommon in newer PCs.
  • Expansion Chassis—An expansion chassis of any of the following types:
    • CompactPCI Express chassis
    • PXI Express chassis
    • NI HDD RAID
  • MXI-Express x4 copper cable—Standard PCI Express specification-compliant cable with x4 PCI Express connectors.
    Note Refer to the Cabling section for details. Most MXI-Express kits include the cable, but not all.
  • Host Board—The MXI-Express x4 board of a cabled pair of boards that is closer to the CPU.
  • Target Board—The MXI-Express x4 board of a cabled pair of boards that is farther from the CPU.
  • Cabled Pair—Two MXI-Express x4 boards that are connected with a single cable.

Connecting a PC to an Expansion Chassis

Using a MXI-Express x4 Copper Cable

Refer to the Terminology section for more detail on the items in this list.

Equipment Needed

  • Host PC
  • Expansion chassis
  • MXI-Express x4 copper cable
  • A MXI-Express x4 host board and target board that is appropriate for the host system slot and target chassis. Refer to the following table for more information.
From Host Targets
Slot Type Product PXI Express Chassis HDD RAID
PXIe-8370 HDD-8263 HDD-8264 HDD-8265
PCI Express x4 PCIe-8371 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
PCI Express x4 PCIe-8372 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Note: For installation instructions and other information about the NI HDD series of products, refer to their respective user manuals.
Note For full PXI or PXI Express functionality, refer to the Software Installation and Configuration section.

Connecting Additional Expansion Chassis to a System

Using a MXI-Express x4 Copper Cable

Refer to the Terminology section for more detail on the items in this list.

Equipment Needed

  • Chassis to daisy-chain from
  • Expansion chassis to daisy-chain to
  • MXI-Express x4 copper cable
  • A MXI-Express x4 host board and target board that is appropriate for the host system slot and target chassis. Refer to the following table for more information.
From Chassis Targets
Slot Type Product PXI Express Chassis HDD RAID
PXIe-8370 HDD-8263 HDD-8264 HDD-8265
PCI Express x4 PXIe-8374 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
PCI Express x4 NI 8262 — ✓ ✓ ✓
Note: For installation instructions and other information about the NI HDD series of products, refer to their respective user manuals.
Note For full PXI or PXI Express functionality, refer to the Software Installation and Configuration section.