Removable Hard-Drive Options for Deploying PXI Systems in Classified Areas

System Declassification

The process for declassifying a PXI system is straightforward. PXI chassis from NI do not contain any memory devices that are user-accessible. You can clear the user-accessible volatile memory components on all NI PXI modules by simply powering down the PXI system. The nonvolatile memory components on NI PXI modules retain their contents when powered down; however, these are not user-accessible

Nonvolatile storage is required for the PXI embedded controller to operate. Accessible removable storage offers the ability to remove this storage media so that it can be placed in a secure environment.

Software Images

Some situations require different software images within the same system hardware. With removable storage, you can have separate, unique software images loaded on multiple hard drives that could be used on the same station. This advantage is necessary in multiple user situations.

Serviceability

Removable storage gives you the ability to field-replace hard drives ensuring maximum uptime for PXI systems.

• Bootable from drive
• Acts as the only storage device in the PXI system
• Scales for multiple systems
• Supported by NI LabVIEW Real-Time OS

All solutions presented below fulfill these requirements.

Solution 1: PXI Express Embedded Controller With Removable Hard Drive

NI offers a PXI Express embedded controller with front panel accessibility to the hard drive. These controllers have a carrier that can be removed from the front of the controller and are available in several rotating drive and solid-state drive options.

Figure 1. NI PXIe-8135 With Front Panel Removable Storage

This controller is also offered with an eSATA accessory, allowing you to interface out to an eSATA external drive.

Table 1. NI PXIe-8135 With Removable Drive Features

Solution 2: Rack-Mount Controller With Removable Hard Drives

NI offers rack-mount controllers in various configurations that have front-side removable hard drives. These controllers have one expansion slot that you can populate with an MXI-4 or MXI-Express remote controller for either PXI or PXI Express chassis. Table 3 summarizes the different configurations and Table 4 states how this solution performs with respect to the outlined requirements.

Figure 2. NI 8352 Rack-Mount Controller With Front-Side Removable Hard Drives

Table 3. NI 835x Rack-Mount Controllers With Removable Hard Drives