Configuring LabVIEW, LabVIEW DSC and Lookout to Work With the Windows Firewall

Primary Software: LabVIEW Development Systems>>LabVIEW Base Package
Primary Software Version: 8.0
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Lookout, LabVIEW Modules>>DSC Module, LabVIEW Development Systems>>LabVIEW Full Development System, LabVIEW Development Systems>>LabVIEW Professional Development System

Problem:
I'm using the Windows Firewall in Windows XP/Vista, and I want to make sure that LabVIEW, LabVIEW DSC, Shared Variables, and Lookout will not be blocked by the firewall. What settings do I need to modify?

Solution:
Windows Vista and Windows XP Service Pack 2 provide a firewall which can be enabled for additional network security. If the Windows firewall is enabled and a program attempts to access and open a network port, Windows will prompt the user to ask if they want to unblock the program.

However, Windows does not prompt to ask about services on the system which attempt to access the network and they are blocked by default if the firewall is enabled. Some of the networking functionality built into National Instruments software relies on services which will be blocked unless specific exceptions are made in the firewall configuration. This will cause errors such as -1950679035 when using Shared Variables that are hosted on the local machine. Disabling the Windows firewall temporarily would be a quick way to verify if this is the cause of your issue. If you want to keep the firewall enabled, follow these steps below to unblock NI's Shared Variable/Tag software:

Open the Windows Control Panel by going to Start»Control Panel
Open Windows Firewall. If you do not see Windows Firewall, click Security in Windows Vista and click Security Center in Windows XP
If you're using Windows Vista, you'll need to click the Change Settings link near the right of the screen and login as Administrator. Skip this step if you're using Windows XP
Click on the General tab
In Windows Vista, ensure that Block all incoming connections is unchecked. In Windows XP, ensure that Don't allow exceptions is unchecked
Switch to the Exceptions tab
Click Add Program...
Click Browse...
Navigate to and select C:\Windows\System32\lkads.exe. Click Open, then OK

If you are using Windows Vista or Windows XP with LabVIEW 8.x, LabVIEW Real-Time 8.x (with Network-Published Shared Variables) or LabVIEW DSC 8.x, make sure that you follow this step for
- C:\Windows\system32\lkads.exe
- C:\Windows\system32\lktsrv.exe
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Shared\Tagger\tagsrv.exe
- C:\Windows\system32\nicitdl5.exe (if you are using LabVIEW DSC)
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\DataSocket\cwdss.exe (if you are using DataSocket in LabVIEW)
If you are using Windows XP with LabVIEW DSC 7.x or Lookout 6.0, make sure that you follow this step for
- C:\Windows\system32\lkads.exe
- C:\Windows\system32\lktsrv.exe
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\DataSocket\cwdss.exe (if you are using DataSocket in LabVIEW)
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW x.x\dscengine.exe (if using LabVIEW DSC)
- C:\Windows\system32\nicitdl5.exe (if you are using LabVIEW DSC)
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Lookout x.x\lookout.exe (if using Lookout)
If you are using Windows XP with LabVIEW DSC 6.x or below, or Lookout 5.1 or below, make sure that you follow this step for:
- C:\Windows\system32\lkads.exe
- C:\Windows\system32\lkcitdl.exe
- C:\Windows\system32\lktsrv.exe
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\DataSocket\cwdss (if using DataSocket in LabVIEW)
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\LabVIEW x.x\dscengine.exe (if using LabVIEW DSC)
- C:\Program Files\National Instruments\Lookout x.x\lookout.exe (if using Lookout)
All the applications from the previous step should appear in the list of programs on the Exceptions tab of the Windows Firewall window and should have a checked box next to them.
In addition to the above items, make sure the appropriate LabVIEW x.x Development System item is checked in the Programs and Services list.
Click OK and close the Windows Firewall window.
Reboot your computer.