January 2019
This file contains important information about the NI-PXImc software for Microsoft Windows and LabVIEW Real-Time (RT). Information in this file is organized in the following sections:
Product Security and Critical Updates
NI-PXImc General Considerations
Automating the Installation of NI Products
Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 10
Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 8.1
The NI-PXImc software enables you to create customized applications for your PXImc hardware (PXIe-8383mc and PXIe-8830mc) either in LabVIEW or C/C++.
You can install and run this version of the NI-PXImc software on the following operating systems:
Note: National Instruments recommends 3 GB or more RAM for Windows 10/8.1/7 (32-bit) and LabVIEW Real-Time (ETS), and a minimum 8 GB RAM for Windows 10/8.1/7 (64-bit). Refer to System RAM for more information.
The following table lists the NI application software versions, including service packs, supported by NI-PXImc. If you are not using NI application software, refer toMicrosoft Visual Studio Support.
| NI Application Software | Versions Supported by NI-PXImc |
|---|---|
| NI LabVIEW | 2015 SP1 (32- or 64-bit), 2016 SP1 (32- or 64-bit), 2017 SP1 (32- or 64-bit), 2018 SP1 (32- or 64-bit) |
| NI LabVIEW Real-Time Module | PXIe-8383mc module: 2015 SP1, 2016 SP1, 2017 SP1, 2018 SP1 Note: The Real-Time Module is compatible with 32-bit LabVIEW only. Therefore, you must have 32-bit LabVIEW installed even if you use a 64-bit OS. |
PXIe-8830mc module: 2015 SP1, 2016 SP1, 2017 SP1, 2018 SP1 Note: The Real-Time Module is compatible with 32-bit LabVIEW only. Therefore, you must have 32-bit LabVIEW installed even if you use a 64-bit OS. | |
| NI LabWindows™/CVI™ | 2012 and later |
The NI-PXImc software currently supports the following hardware products:
The PXIe-8383mc PXImc adapter modules and the PXIe-8830mc PXImc processor modules utilize a x8 PCI Express 2.0 interface for transferring data. National Instruments recommends using the NI PXImc modules with a PXI-Express chassis and controller combination that provide high PCI Express bandwidth. If you are using the PXIe-8383mc or PXIe-8830mc module in a chassis with an NI embedded controller, then you must update the BIOS software on that embedded controller to the latest released BIOS software prior to connecting the hardware. For more information, refer to KnowledgeBase 2GIGKD0Z, Determining and Upgrading PXI and VXI Embedded Controller BIOS Versions.
Bandwidth experienced when using NI-PXImc may be affected by bandwidth capabilities of the controller or the chassis. If you experience lower than expected bandwidth when using NI-PXImc, check that your controller and chassis are capable of supporting the desired bandwidth, and that your PXImc adapter module is inserted into an appropriate chassis slot to obtain the best performance. Consult your chassis and controller documentation for specific information relevant to your hardware configuration.
Note: National Instruments recommends an NI high performance PXIe embedded controller be used both as the system controller and as the controller connected to the front panel of the PXImc module. Refer to NI-PXImc General Considerations for more information.
The following sections include important information about installingthe NI-PXImc software.
You can run the NI-PXImc installer on the following operating systems:
Before installing the NI-PXImc software, log on as Administrator or as a user with Administrator privileges. The NI-PXImc software setup program must have Administrator privileges because the program modifies the configuration registry of your system.
Tip For optimal performance, update your operating system to the latest service pack and apply all security patches.
NI-PXImc 18.0 is not compatible with NI-PXImc 1.0 or 14.0. You must upgrade all systems, including the host machine and any PXImc hardware modules, to version 18.0 of the software.
For proper operation with NI-PXImc, all NI Embedded Controllers must be running the latest BIOS. For more information, refer to KnowledgeBase 2GIGKD0Z, Determining and Upgrading PXI and VXI Embedded Controller BIOS Versions.
National Instruments recommends an NI high performance PXIe embedded controller be used both as the system controller and as the controller connected to the front panel of the PXImc module. If you are connecting the PXImc module to an NI PXIe embedded controller, you must update the BIOS software on that embedded controller to the latest released BIOS software prior to connecting the hardware. Refer to NI Embedded Controller BIOS Versions for information about updating the BIOS.
Bandwidth experienced when using NI-PXImc may be affected by bandwidth limitations in the controller or on the chassis backplane. If you experience lower than expected bandwidth when using NI-PXImc, check that your controller and chassis are capable of supporting the desired bandwidth, and that your PXImc card is inserted into an appropriate chassis slot to obtain the best performance. Consult your chassis and controller documentation for specific information relevant to your hardware configuration.
National Instruments recommends a minimum 3 GB RAM for Windows 10/8.1/7 (32-bit) and LabVIEW Real-Time (ETS), and a minimum of 8 GB RAM for Windows 10/8.1/7 (64-bit). To maximize the available PXImc buffer, National Instruments recommends either Windows 10/8.1/7 (64-bit) or LabVIEW Real-Time (ETS).
Note The available PXImc buffer will likely be reduced if the above recommendations are not followed. Refer to Setting an Appropriate Buffer Size in the NI-PXImc Help for more information about buffer size.
National Instruments recommends setting the hardware Mode DIP switch (Switch 4) to User Mode for optimal performance. Refer to the NI PXImc Devices Getting Started Guide, available in the PXIe-8383mc kit and on ni.com/manuals, for information about the DIP switch functionality and location. Refer to the Hardware Configuration section in the NI-PXImc Help for more information about the differences between the two modes.
The PXIe chassis that contains the PXIe-8383mc module must be powered on before the system connected to the front panel connector is powered on. Furthermore, the PXIe chassis that contains the PXIe-8383mc module must be continuously powered while the system connected to the front panel connector is powered on. If it is necessary to turn off the chassis containing the PXIe-8383mc, the system connected to the front panel must be powered off first. Refer to the NI PXImc Devices Getting Started Guide, available in the PXIe-8383mc kit and on ni.com/manuals, for more information about power sequence.
Many third-party PXI Express controllers, both PXIe embedded controllers and desktop PCs, have been observed to have BIOS issues that prevent the enumeration of some PXIe modules. If you have boot or device enumeration issues, set the hardware Mode DIP switch (Switch 4) on your PXImc modules to Factory mode and try again. Refer to the NI PXImc Devices Getting Started Guide, available in the PXIe-8383mc kit and on ni.com/manuals, for information about the DIP switch functionality and location. If you continue to have issues, either contact your controller vendor for a BIOS fix or upgrade your controller to a National Instruments high performance PXIe embedded controller.
When configuring the PXIe-8383mc module in "User" mode, NI recommends no more than six modules be connected to a single system running 64-bit Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, and no more than four modules be connected to a system running 32-bit Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, either directly in the system or connected through the PXImc module front panel connector. If you are using the PXIe-8383mc or PXIe-8830mc in a system with LabVIEW Real-Time (ETS) OS, NI recommends no more than four modules to a single system, either directly in the system or connected through the front panel connector. If your system needs more than the recommended number of modules, either change Switch 4 to the "FACT" position for all modules or contact National Instruments support.
NI recommends no more than six PXIe-8830mc modules be placed in a single system with the embedded controller running Windows 10/8.1/7(64-bit), and no more than four modules be placed in a system running Windows 10/8.1/7 (32-bit) on the host/embedded controller. If you are using the PXIe-8830mc in a system with the embedded controller running LabVIEW Real-Time (ETS) OS, NI recommends no more than four NI PXI-8830mc modules be in the system. If your system needs more than the recommended number of modules contact National Instruments support.
NI-PXImc versions are now aligned with the versions of major NI application software products. This alignment gives you information about the year the driver was released and the most recent software version the driver was designed to work with. Driver versions now start with a two-digit year indicator: <ProductName><Year-BasedVersion>. For example, NI-PXImc 18.0 is the version released with LabVIEW 2018. The last version released under the old numbering scheme is NI-PXImc 1.0. The first version released under the new numbering scheme is NI-PXImc 14.0.0.
Visit ni.com/security to view and subscribe to receive security notifications about National Instruments products. Visit ni.com/critical-updates for information about critical updates from National Instruments.
Refer to the NI-PXImc Help, accessible by selecting Help»NI-PXImc Help from the pull-down menu in LabVIEW, for information about using the NI-PXImc software.
LabVIEW examples for the NI-PXImc software are in the labview\examples\NI-PXImc folder. You can modify an example VI to fit an application or copy and paste from one or more examples into a VI you create.
You can automate the installation of most NI products using command-line arguments to suppress some or all of the installer user interface and dialog boxes.
If the NI product you are installing uses Microsoft .NET 4.0, the .NET installer may run before any NI software installs and may require a reboot before the installation of NI software begins. To avoid a .NET reboot, install .NET 4.0 separately before you install NI software.
For more information about automating the installation of NI products, refer to the following KnowledgeBase articles:
Microsoft Windows 10 is the latest version of the Windows operating system and features significant changes compared to previous versions. Windows 10 introduces several new capabilities and also combines features from both Windows 7 and Windows 8. For more information about NI support for Windows 10, visit ni.com/windows10.
When you install NI software on Microsoft Windows 8.1, you will notice a few additional tiles in the Apps view, including shortcuts to NI application software products such as NI LabVIEW, Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX), and NI Launcher. For more information about NI support for Windows 8.1, visit ni.com/windows8.
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You can find end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the following locations after installation:
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