LabVIEW RT Software Installation

The following section describes the necessary steps to get your PXI embedded controller set up to run LabVIEW Real-Time. In this section you will configure the controller boot mode, verify or change IP settings, and install LabVIEW Real-Time software.

Complete the following steps to install the LabVIEW RT software.

1. Boot the NI PXI embedded controller into the real-time operating system. Refer to the LabVIEW RT Configuration Switches section or the LabVIEW RT Setup Menu section in this document to configure the controller for booting into LabVIEW RT. The PXI controller automatically boots into LabVIEW RT Safe Mode when no software is installed. LabVIEW RT Safe Mode loads with the basic real-time operating system and automatically attempts to connect to the network using DHCP. If DHCP is not available, it then connects to the network with a link-local IP address.
   Tip You can connect a monitor to the desktop PC to display startup messages such as the IP address.
2. Open Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) on another computer in the same subnet and expand the Remote Systems branch. MAX lists the PXI controller as the controller model name followed by the MAC address (for example, NI-PXI-8840 00802f108562).
   Note The other computer must have LabVIEW, LabVIEW RT, and any desired drivers installed.
   Tip Record the PXI controller MAC address, located on the side of the controller, for use in identifying the controller. You also can remove the label and place it on the front of the controller for easier access.
3. Click the appropriate PXI controller entry to access the Network Settings tab in the right pane view.
4. (Optional) Enter a name for the RT target in the Name text box.
5. (Optional) Set the network configuration options of the RT target in the IP Settings section and click the Apply button. For information about configuring network settings, refer to the Configuring Network Settings book, accessible by browsing to MAX Remote Systems Help»LabVIEW Real-Time Target Configuration»Configuring Network Settings from the Contents tab of MAX Help.
   Note When any IP or identification settings are changed, you are prompted to reboot the controller for the changes to take effect. Click Yes to reboot the RT target automatically. You may also reboot the controller by right-clicking the target name under Remote Systems and selecting Reboot.

   After rebooting the PXI controller, it appears in the Remote Systems category with the assigned name.

6. Expand the PXI controller view in the Remote Systems branch and select Software.
7. Click the Add/Remove Software button in the toolbar to launch the LabVIEW Real-Time Software Wizard.
8. Install the LabVIEW Real-Time software and device drivers that you require on the RT target. Refer to the NI Web site at ni.com/info and enter the Info Code etspc for the latest information about supported software.

After software installation, the controller automatically reboots, and you now can program it using LabVIEW Real-Time.