June 2021
This file contains installation instructions and compatibility information for NI-VISA 21.0.
You can find more release information on ni.com.
NI Application Software Support
Product Security and Critical Updates
New FeaturesNI-VISA is the NI implementation of the Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA), a standard for configuring, programming, and troubleshooting instrumentation systems comprising GPIB, VXI, PXI, Serial, Ethernet, and/or USB interfaces.
NI-VISA 21.0 for macOS supports the following platforms:
Note The online version of this readme supersedes the readme provided with the installation media to contain an updated list of supported macOS platforms.
NI-VISA for macOS currently supports the following resource types and utilities:
Note NI-VISA for macOS supports only 64-bit applications.
The following table lists the NI application software versions supported by NI-VISA:
| NI Application Software | Versions Supported by NI-VISA |
|---|---|
| NI LabVIEW | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 |
You can install all of your LabVIEW products—including NI-VISA—using the LabVIEW 2021 Platform media. Refer to the LabVIEW Installation Guide on the LabVIEW Platform media for installation instructions and system requirements.
To request additional LabVIEW Platform media, visit ni.com/r/media.
Note If you purchased this product with an NI Software Suite or NI Product Bundle, use the installation media that shipped with your purchase to install this product.
There are three main locations where NI-VISA installs files.
Visit ni.com/security to view and subscribe to receive security notifications about NI products. For information about critical updates from NI, refer to Available Critical and Security Updates for NI Software.
Added support for NI MAX.
Added support for 64-bit versions of LabVIEW.
Added support for the System Configuration API.
Added support for viGpibControlREN on TCPIP resources that use the VXI-11 protocol.
Improved performance of viRead for a HiSLIP resource.
Improved performance of viWrite for a HiSLIP resource.
Added support for 64-bit kernel for OS X.
Added OS X 10.7 support.
Added support for HiSLIP.
Added the VISA Interactive Control (VISAIC) stand-alone application. Refer to the NI-VISA Help for more information on the updates to VISAIC.
Added OS X 10.6 support.
Added support for 64-bit formatted I/O.
Dropped GPIB-VXI support.
Added automatic detection of LXI (TCP/IP) devices that support the mDNS and DNS-SD technologies.
Added support for the PXI/PCI Passport on the x86 architecture.
Added native support for the NI-VISA Configuration Utility on the x86 architecture.
Added support for OS X on the x86 architecture, aka Mactel.
Added support for 64-bit data transfers in register-based operations, to support the VISA 4.0 specification.
Added support for DTR/DSR flow control. The Agilent 34401A requires DTR/DSR flow control when used via Serial. Note that not all Serial port drivers on OS X support DTR/DSR. We have tested the Agilent 34401A with NI-VISA 4.0 using the Keyspan USA-19HS and verified that it works properly.
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For patents covering the NI products/technology, refer to the appropriate location: Help»Patents in your software, the patents.txt file on your media, or the NI Patent Notice at ni.com/patents.
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