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What Linux Distributions Do National Instruments Drivers and Software Support?

Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-SCOPE
Primary Software Version: 1.1
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Driver Software>>NI-SWITCH, Driver Software>>NI-488.2, Driver Software>>NI-DAQ, Driver Software>>NI-VISA, Driver Software>>NI-FGEN, Driver Software>>NI-DMM, Driver Software>>NI-DAQmx Base, LabVIEW Development Systems>>Base Package, LabVIEW Development Systems>>Professional Development System, LabVIEW Development Systems>>Full Development System, LabWindows/CVI Development Systems>>Base Package, LabWindows/CVI Development Systems>>Full Development System

Problem:
What Linux distributions do National Instruments drivers and software support?

Solution:
See the charts below for current distribution support:

Current
Distributions
RHEL 5 RHEL 4 RHEL 3 Mand riva 2008 Mand riva 2007 Mand riva
2006
Mand riva 10.1 SUSE 10.3 SUSE 10.2 SUSE 10.1 SUSE 10.0 SUSE 9.3
NI-DAQmx Base 3.2 √+ √+ O √+ √+ O O √+ √+ O O O
NI-DAQmx Base 3.1 √+ √+ O √+ √+ O O √+ √+ O O O
NI-DAQmx Base 2.1 √- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ O
NI-DAQmx Base 2.0 √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √+ √- √- √- √- √+
NI-DAQmx 8.0 x x √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √- √+
NI-FGEN 2.4.1 x x √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √+ √+
NI-DMM 2.5
x x √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √+ √+
NI-Scope 2.9 x x √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √+ √+
NI-488.2 2.5 Beta
√+ O O √- √+ O O √- √+ O O O
NI-488.2 2.5
√- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ O
NI-VISA 4.2 √+ √+  O √-  √+  √+ O
√-  √+  √+ O
O
NI-VISA 4.1 √- √+ √+ √- √+ √+ O √- √+ √+ O O
NI-VISA 4.0
√- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ O
LabVIEW 8.5 √+ √+  O √- √+
 √+ O
√-  √+ √+
 O O
LabVIEW 8.2
√- √+ √+ √- √+ √+ O √- √+ √+ O O
LabVIEW 8.0
√- √+ √+ √- √- √+ √+ √- √- √- √- √+






























Past Distributions Mandrake 10.0 SUSE 9.3 SUSE 9.2 SUSE 9.1
NI-DAQmx Base 1.5 √- √+ x
NI-488.2 2.3 √+ √- √- √+
NI-VISA 3.5 O √+ √+ O
NI-VISA 3.4 √+ √+ √+ O
NI-VISA 3.3 √+ √+ √- √+
NI-FGEN 2.4 O √+ √+ O
LabVIEW 7.1 √+ √+ √+ √+

√+ The software/driver package is certified for use with this Linux distribution. No NI-KAL update is required. Refer to the product’s README file for supported hardware.

√ The driver package is certified for use with this Linux distribution, but an appropriate version of NI-KAL needs to be installed prior to installing this software. Refer to the product’s README file for supported hardware.

√- The software/driver package is not certified to work with this distribution, but may work with an appropriate version of NI-KAL installed or other workarounds. Extensive user testing is recommended before deploying a system using this configuration.

O This configuration is not supported by National Instruments. Extensive user testing is recommended before deploying a system using this configuration.

x After testing the software/driver package with this Linux distribution, we have determined that there are major issues ranging from compilation warnings to full system crashes. Use of this combination is not recommended and will not be supported.

My linux distribution does not appear in the list above. What is National Instruments’ support policy?
If the distribution does not appear, you can consider it to have 'O' marks for all entries.

What is NI-KAL?
NI-KAL is a low-layer driver that is compiled when you install it on your machine. NI-KAL provides “glue” between your Linux kernel and other National Instruments drivers. A version of NI-KAL is included in every National Instruments Linux driver.

What is “an appropriate version of NI-KAL”?
To keep up with frequent changes in the Linux kernel, NI-KAL will incorporate changes to maintain compatibility. Sometimes, upgrading to a version of NI-KAL that supports your distribution will allow you to use a driver that was not originally tested with this distribution. NI-KAL has the following distribution support: 
NI-KAL 1.0:
  • Mandrakelinux 10.0
  • SUSE LINUX Professional 9.1
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3
NI-KAL 1.1:
  • Mandrakelinux 10.0, 10.1
  • SUSE LINUX Professional 9.1, 9.2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3
NI-KAL 1.2:
  • Mandrakelinux 10.1
  • Mandriva Linux 2006
  • SUSE LINUX Professional 9.2, 9.3
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3, 4
NI-KAL 1.3:
  • Mandrakelinux 10.1
  • Mandriva Linux 2006
  • SUSE LINUX Professional 9.3
  • SUSE Linux 10.0
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3, 4
NI-KAL 1.4:
  • Mandrakelinux 10.1
  • Mandriva Linux 2006
  • SUSE Linux 10.0, 10.1
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3, 4
NI-KAL 1.5:
  • Mandriva Linux 2006, 2007
  • SUSE Linux 10.1
  • openSUSE 10.2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 3, 4
NI-KAL 1.6:
  • Mandriva Linux 2006, 2007
  • SUSE Linux 10.1
  • openSUSE 10.2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop + Workstation 5
NI-KAL 1.7:
  • Mandriva Linux 2007, 2008
  • openSUSE 10.2, 10.3
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop + Workstation 5
NI-KAL 1.8:
  • Mandriva Linux 2007, 2008
  • openSUSE 10.2, 10.3
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux WS 4
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop + Workstation 5

I want to use a non-certified configuration with the symbol in the table. While I know this is not supported by National Instruments, can you give me any tips?
You should first install the version of NI-KAL that provides official support for your distribution, and then load the actual software package. This will give you the highest chance of succeeding with your particular combination.  Also, the NI Discussion Forums are a great place to exchange information with other users regarding non-certified configurations and distributions that are not supported.

Where can I obtain NI-KAL by itself?
You may download various versions of NI-KAL from the NI Drivers and Updates page

NI-KAL Drivers and Updates

Related Links:
Measurement and Control Products for Linux
NI LabWindows/CVI Run-Time Module for Linux®
National Instruments and Linux: Frequently Asked Questions
NI Discussion Forums

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Report Date: 05/11/2006
Last Updated: 09/10/2008
Document ID: 3XAAMQV4

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