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Performing a Good NI I/O Trace Capture for Debugging/Troubleshooting

Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-VISA
Primary Software Version: 1.1
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Driver Software>>NI-VISA
Hardware: GPIB>>External Controllers/Convertors

Problem:
I have been asked by National Instruments Support Staff to provide them with an "NI I/O Trace". What do I need to do?

Solution:
NI I/O Trace is a utility that allows the user to see what VISA driver calls are being made, the parameters passed to the VISA driver calls, and the results. This information can aid the user as well as National Instruments Support Staff in debugging and troubleshooting. In order to provide the best information to your support engineer, follow these steps.
  1. Start NI I/O Trace from Measurement & Automation Explorer by right clicking on your GPIB interface and selecting NI I/O Trace. You can also start NI I/O Trace from the Start Menu under » All Programs » National Instruments » NI I/O Trace.

  2. From within NI I/O Trace, click Tools » Options.... Set the options on the General tab to match the picture below. An important property is the call history depth.  The capture should include the driver calls  made to configure your device and the driver call where the error occurred.  Make sure the number of maximum lines can allow this.

  3. On the Logging tab, select to Log to File.  Especially important is the location of the file that you are logging the capture to; this resulting .nitrace file is the one that you will need to send to National Instruments.              

  4. On the View Selections tab, make sure that everything under Installed API Choices on the left side is checked. You may have different options here than are listed below.

     

  5. Click the arrow button to start the NI I/O Trace capture.

     

  6. Attempt to communicate with your device. If applicable, perform a communication that is giving an error or not working properly. Any communication should show up in the NI I/O Trace capture window.

  7. Stop the NI I/O Trace capture.

     

You can also use the GPIB Analyzer to troubleshoot complex GPIB issues.  Please see the Related Links section for more on the GPIB Analyzer.

Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 386GCOV4: Performing a Good Analyzer Capture for Debugging/Troubleshooting
Knowledgebase 5O0E85Q7: Why is NI Spy Now Named NI I/O Trace?

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Report Date: 09/04/2008
Last Updated: 05/04/2012
Document ID: 4P3FR2LQ

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