Chapter 1 Introduction and Quick Start
PCI-MXI-2 for Linux 1-6 ni.com
Optional Software
Your PCI-MXI-2 kit includes the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software.
In addition, you can use National Instruments LabVIEW to ease your
programming task. This standardized program matches the modular virtual
instrument capability of VXI and can reduce your VXI/VMEbus software
development time.
LabVIEW is a complete programming environment that departs from the
sequential nature of traditional programming languages and features a
graphical programming environment.
Quick Start
You can use this section as a guide to quickly configure andoperate your
VXI or VME system using the PCI-MXI-2 and the VXI-MXI-2 or
VME-MXI-2.
This section assumes that you intend to perform a basic configuration as
follows:
• You have one PCI-MXI-2 interface module, which you will install
inyour PCI-based computer as the Resource Manager (logical
address0).
• You have either one C-size VXI-MXI-2 or one 6U, B-size
VME-MXI-2, which you will install in a VXI or VME chassis,
respectively, and connect to the PCI-MXI-2.
• You will be using the NI-VXI/NI-VISA software for initialization,
configuration, and device interaction.
• You will use the default hardware and software settings:
– The PCI-MXI-2 is the main controller, the VXI/VME Resource
Manager, and a message-based device.
– Your system contains only one VXI or VME chassis.
– There is no shared memory used on the PCI-based computer,
theP CI-MXI-2, or the VXI/VME-MXI-2.
Refer to the Default Settings section for a complete listing of the hardware
and software default settings. If you need more information or if you want
to try a different configuration, refer to the appropriate hardware or
software chapters in this manual, which describe the installation and
configuration steps in greater detail.