© National Instruments Corporation 1-1 VXI-USB User Manual
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Introduction
This chapter describes your VXI-USB interface kit, lists what you need to
get started, and includes a brief description of the hardware and software.
The VXI-USB interface kit links a PC-based computer to the VXIbus using
the Universal Serial Bus (USB). This kit makes your computer perform as
if it were plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving your external
computer the capability of an embedded computer. USB 2.0 features hot
plug-in capability under Windows, which means you can add and configure
USB devices without powering down your system. Your kit contains a
National Instruments VXI-USB interface module, which plugs into your
VXI mainframe and links your computer to the VXIbus. Your kit includes
the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software, which is fully VXIplug&play
compliant. NI-VXI/NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation
of the VISA I/O software standard on which all VXIplug&play software
components are based.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use the VXI-USB interface kit, you need the following items:
❑Computer running the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating
system, with a USB 2.0 port or plug-in card (USB 2.0 plug-in cards
may not have the same level of performance as an integrated USB 2.0
port)
❑VXIbus mainframe
❑VXI-USB interface module that plugs directly into a VXI mainframe
❑USB 2.0-compliant cable
❑National Instruments software CD
❑This manual