VeriStand 2020 R3

September 2020

This file contains important information about VeriStand 2020 R3, including system requirements and installation instructions.

Overview

System Requirements

Supported Operating Systems

VeriStand Drops Support for Windows 7 (32- and 64-Bit) Operating Systems in 2021

Installation Instructions

Product Security and Critical Updates

Upgrade and Compatibility Issues

Known Issues

Bug Fixes

Accessing the Help

Finding Examples

Automating the Installation of NI Products

Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 10

Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 8.1

Legal Information


Overview

VeriStand is configuration-based testing software, allowing you to develop, prototype, and test control systems using hardware I/O and your simulation models. The VeriStand software framework enables you to perform real-time or PC-based test configuration and execution that can be customized and extended with LabVIEW, NI TestStand, and other software tools.

VeriStand includes a run-time editable user interface and a test manager you can use to configure and implement triggered multi-file data logging, stimulus generation and playback, and real-time test sequencing.

System Requirements

VeriStand has the following requirements:

Windows 64-bit Operating System Real-Time Targets
RAM/Processor
  • 4 GB of RAM
  • Pentium 4 G1 equivalent (Intel i5 equivalent or higher recommended)
  • PXI controller/desktop PC—At least 256 MB of RAM1 2
  • CompactRIO/Single-Board RIO—At least 128 MB of RAM1
Required Software
  • (Required) NI-DAQmx 20.1
  • (Required) NI-VISA 20.0
  • (Required) NI-SLSC 20.0
  • (Recommended) NI-RIO 20.5, used by NI FPGA targets
  • (Recommended) NI-XNET 20.5, used by NI-XNET vehicle bus interface cards
VeriStand software, which you can install from NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX)
1 You can achieve higher Primary Control Loop rates by using targets with higher-performance specifications.
2 Using custom devices, such as the Scan Engine Custom Device, will require at least 512MB of RAM.

Note  The following sections describe system requirements that apply if you use models, LabVIEW functionality, and .NET APIs in your system.

Simulation Models

To configure and run a simulation using your existing compiled model, you need only VeriStand installed. You need additional software to perform other tasks with models, as the following list describes:

  • To develop a model using The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink® application software, you must be a licensed user of and have the following software installed on the host computer: The MathWorks, Inc. MATLAB® software (32-bit or 64-bit version) and The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink software.
  • To compile a model developed using The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink software for use on a Microsoft Windows or LabVIEW real-time target, you must be a licensed user of and have the following software installed on the host computer: The MathWorks, Inc. Real-Time Workshop® (Simulink Coder®). Refer to the NI website for a list of compilers that are tested and supported.
  • The VeriStand Model Framework supports only certain versions of The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink® software. If the VeriStand Model Framework is used with an unsupported version of The MathWorks, Inc. Simulink®, VeriStand cannot initialize it.

If you use other modeling environments, contact your model vendor for requirements for developing a model and converting it into a compiled model.

LabVIEW

To create custom devices, menu items, workspace controls and indicators, or timing and sync devices, you must have LabVIEW 2020. The LabVIEW functionality in VeriStand always requires like-numbered versions.

.NET

The VeriStand .NET APIs require the following Microsoft software:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6.2, which uses Microsoft .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR) 4.6.2.
  • A .NET environment capable of interacting with .NET Framework 4.6.2-based assemblies, such as Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 or LabVIEW 2020.

Supported Operating Systems

VeriStand supports the following operating systems:

Windows Systems Real-Time Targets
  • 64-bit version of Windows 10 (version 1909/8.1 Update 11/7 SP12
  • Windows Server 2012 R21
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Phar Lap ETS
  • NI Linux Real-Time

Note  In 2016, VeriStand dropped support for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and installations of Windows 7 without any service packs. VeriStand 2020 R3 will not install or run on an unsupported OS. You cannot deploy or distribute applications that use VeriStand 2020 R3 to an unsupported OS. Additionally, after installing VeriStand 2020, you cannot use any installers built on this computer with any version of LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI™, NI TestStand™, or Measurement Studio on an unsupported OS.

For more information about the changes to our OS support for 2020, refer to KB 79UC78LS, Why Does my LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Measurement Studio, or TestStand Built Installer Fail on Windows XP/Vista and Server 2003?.

1 NI software installs VC2015 Runtime and .NET 4.6.2. Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 require Microsoft updates to support these items. Refer to Microsoft KB2919442 and KB2919355 for more information about how to install these updates.

2 NI software is signed with a SHA-256 certificate. Windows 7 SP1 requires Microsoft updates to support SHA-256. Refer to Microsoft KB3033929 for more information about how to install this security update.

Recommended PXI Linux RT System Image

When formatting a disk with a PXI Linux RT system image for VeriStand 2020 R3, select Linux RT System Image 20.5 and enable support for the LabVIEW 2020 programming environment. This feed contains the same driver versions included with the VeriStand 2020 R3 installer and avoids driver version conflicts while deploying XNET to a real-time target.

VeriStand Drops Support for Windows 7 (32- and 64-Bit) Operating Systems in 2021

VeriStand will drop support for the Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit) operating system starting in 2021. Versions of this product that ship after May 1, 2021, will not install or run on Windows 7. For detailed information about NI operating system support, visit ni.com/r/win32bitsupport.

Installation Instructions

To install VeriStand, you must log on as an administrator or as a user with administrator privileges. You can activate VeriStand when prompted by the installer or activate later using NI License Manager. To use LabVIEW with VeriStand, install the like-numbered version of LabVIEW on the host computer.

You should also disable any automatic virus detection programs before you install. Some virus detection programs interfere with the installer. Be sure to check your computer for viruses and enable your virus detection programs after installing VeriStand.

You can install VeriStand with either NI Package Manager or installation media.

NI Package Manager

NI automates VeriStand installation using NI Package Manager. Visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code NIPMDownload to download NI Package Manager. Refer to the NI Package Manager Manual for more information about installing, removing, and upgrading NI software using NI Package Manager.

Installation Media

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. Insert the VeriStand installation media and follow the instructions that appear on the screen.

Product Security and Critical Updates

Visit ni.com/security to view and subscribe to receive security notifications about NI products. Visit ni.com/critical-updates for information about critical updates from NI.

Upgrade and Compatibility Issues

The following sections describe issues to be aware of when you upgrade to VeriStand 2020 R3.

Note  NI recommends that you also review the Upgrade and Compatibility Issues in the readme files for each VeriStand version between the version from which you are upgrading and VeriStand 2020 R3. To access the documents, refer to the NI website at ni.com/info and enter the Info Code for the appropriate VeriStand version from the following list:

Uncompiled Models

VeriStand 2020 R3 does not support communication with uncompiled models.

Models Created from LabVIEW VIs

Models compiled from LabVIEW VIs (.lvmodel or .lvmodelso files) using earlier versions of LabVIEW must be recompiled using LabVIEW 2020. The LabVIEW functionality in VeriStand requires like-numbered versions.

Models Compiled for Previous Versions

The VeriStand Model Framework contains changes to the files you use to develop and compile models in C/C++ and third-party modeling environments. If your system contains models compiled with previous versions of the Model Framework, choose from the following options to continue to use the models in VeriStand 2020 R3:

  • If you do not need to update your model, you can continue to use the model as-is.
  • If you need to update functionality of your model that does not require the changes in the latest version of the Model Framework, you can recompile the model against the deprecated Model Framework files. These files are installed at <RootDrive>\VeriStand\version\ModelInterface\custom\src\obsolete.

Migrating Files from VeriStand 2010 and Later

VeriStand 2020 R3 can open projects from VeriStand 2010 and later using the Open Legacy Project option in the Welcome tab.

VeriStand Custom Devices Not Included

In VeriStand 2020 and later, built-in Custom Devices, including the Embedded Data Logger, are no longer included when installing from offline media. Use NI Package Manager to include all supported Custom Devices during installation. To install Custom Devices separately, see the release page for each Custom Device on the VeriStand Add-ons support page

You cannot add new instances of the Lambda Genesys and Pickering custom devices. Refer to the NI website for details on how to access the source code for the Lambda Genesys and Pickering custom devices.

Known Issues

You can access the software and documentation known issues list online. See VeriStand 2020 R3 Known Issues for an up-to-date list.

Known Conflict with .NET 4.6.2 and MSVC 2010

To run the VeriStand editor, the .NET Framework 4.6.2 must be installed. However, installing the .NET Framework 4.6.2 can break the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 compilers, which are used to compile models for PharLap VeriStand targets. Using broken compilers results in error LNK1123. To resolve this Microsoft compiler issue, apply all service packs and updates for your version of Microsoft Visual Studio or Windows SDK. Refer to Microsoft Support Article 2757355 for more information.

Bug Fixes

For a complete list of the IDs and titles of the issues fixed in VeriStand 2020 R3, see VeriStand 2020 R3 Bug Fixes. If you have a Bug or Legacy ID, you can search the list to validate that the issue has been fixed.

Accessing the Help

VeriStand includes the following documentation resources:

Resource Contents Access Instructions
VeriStand Help Conceptual, how-to, and reference information for using VeriStand. In software: Help»Show VeriStand Help...

OR

Windows Start menu: All Programs»National Instruments»VeriStand 2020 R3 Help
VeriStand .NET API Help Reference information for the .NET APIs included with VeriStand. You can access these assemblies from any .NET-compatible programming language or environment, including NI LabVIEW™ and NI TestStand™. Windows Start menu: All Programs»National Instruments»VeriStand 2020 R3 .NET API Help.
VeriStand Model Framework Introduction Information about how to use the VeriStand Model Framework to compile your existing C and C++ model code so you can load your models in VeriStand. You can access this guide from the <RootDrive>\VeriStand\<xxxx>\ModelInterface\custom directory, where RootDrive is the drive where NI software installs and xxxx is the VeriStand version number.

Note  You must explicitly select VeriStand Model Framework when you run the VeriStand installer.

Note  If you install VeriStand with the compatible version of LabVIEW, you also can access a subset of the VeriStand Help, including information about the VeriStand VIs and extending VeriStand functionality with LabVIEW, from the LabVIEW Help. From LabVIEW, select Help»LabVIEW Help.

Finding Examples

VeriStand includes the following types of examples:

  • VeriStand Project—An example VeriStand project, including related items such as a system definition, a Workspace screen file, compiled models, and NI-XNET files, are located in the <Public Documents>\National Instruments\NI VeriStand\Projects\Example directory.
  • Stimulus Profile Editor—NI VeriStand Stimulus Profile Editor examples are located in the <Public Documents>\National Instruments\NI VeriStand\Examples directory.

    Tip  On Windows 7, the default location of the <Public Documents> directory is C:\Users\Public\Public Documents.

  • LabVIEW API—LabVIEW examples that use the VeriStand API are located in the <Program Files>\National Instruments\LabVIEW 2020\examples\NI Veristand directory.

Automating the Installation of NI Products

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:

Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 10

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.

Using NI Software with Microsoft Windows 8.1

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.


Legal Information

Copyright

© 2009–2020 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Under the copyright laws, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storing in an information retrieval system, or translating, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of National Instruments Corporation.

NI respects the intellectual property of others, and we ask our users to do the same. NI software is protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Where NI software may be used to reproduce software or other materials belonging to others, you may use NI software only to reproduce materials that you may reproduce in accordance with the terms of any applicable license or other legal restriction.

End-User License Agreements and Third-Party Legal Notices

You can find end-user license agreements (EULAs) and third-party legal notices in the following locations after installation:

  • Notices are located in the <National Instruments>\_Legal Information and <National Instruments> directories.
  • EULAs are located in the <National Instruments>\Shared\MDF\Legal\license directory.
  • Review <National Instruments>\_Legal Information.txt for information on including legal information in installers built with NI products.

U.S. Government Restricted Rights

If you are an agency, department, or other entity of the United States Government ("Government"), the use, duplication, reproduction, release, modification, disclosure or transfer of the technical data included in this manual is governed by the Restricted Rights provisions under Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.227-14 for civilian agencies and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement Section 252.227-7014 and 252.227-7015 for military agencies.

IVI Foundation Copyright Notice

Content from the IVI specifications reproduced with permission from the IVI Foundation.

The IVI Foundation and its member companies make no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The IVI Foundation and its member companies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Trademarks

Refer to the NI Trademarks and Logo Guidelines at ni.com/trademarks for information on NI trademarks. Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.

Patents

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.

375380R-01