National Instruments PXI-8231 User manual

INSTALLATION GUIDE
NI PXI-8231
This document explains how to install and troubleshoot the drivers for your
NI PXI-8231 (part number 189140x-01L, where xis D or higher).
The NI PXI-8231 is based on the Intel 82541PI-compatible Ethernet
controller.
Installing Your PXI Board
Complete the following steps to install the Ethernet adapter:
1. Shut down Windows, if it is running, by selecting Start»Shut Down.
2. Power off your PXI or CompactPCI chassis. Keep the chassis plugged
in so it remains grounded as you install the adapter.
3. Remove the filler panel from a PXI peripheral bus master slot. The
adapter requires a bus master slot to take advantage of the onboard
DMA and Ethernet controllers. All PXI chassis and most CompactPCI
chassis contain only bus master slots. Refer to your chassis
documentation to verify you are using a bus master slot.
4. Touch a metal part on your chassis to discharge any static electricity
that might be on your clothes or body.
5. Insert the adapter into the selected bus master slot. Use the
injector/ejector handle to fully inject the device into place.
6. Screw the adapter front panel to the PXI or CompactPCI chassis front
panel mounting rail.

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Connect the Network Cable
Connect a network cable to the adapter, as shown in the following figure.
• For 1000BaseT (gigabit over copper), use Category 5 (must be
4-pair wiring). Be sure to use Category 5 cable that complies with
the TIA-568 wiring specification. For more information on this
specification, refer to the Telecommunications Industry
Association Web site, www.tiaonline.org.
• For 100BaseTX, use Category 5 wiring or better.
Caution If using less than 4-pair cabling, you must manually configure the adapter and
link partner speed and duplex setting. In addition, with 2- and 3-pair cabling, the adapter
can achieve speeds of up to only 100 MB/s.
• For 10BaseT, use Category 3 wiring or better.
• To use this adapter in a residential environment (at any speed), use
Category 5 wiring. If the cable runs between rooms or through
walls and/or ceilings, it should be plenum rated for fire safety.
• The cable length is limited to 100 m.
• The adapter must be connected to a compatible link partner,
preferably set to auto-negotiate speed and duplex.
• The PXI-8231 automatically accommodates either MDI or
MDI-X connections. You can use the auto-MDI-X feature to
connect two adapters directly without using a crossover cable.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 NI PXI-8231 Installation Guide
Install the Drivers
Follow the installation instructions for your operating system. The adapter
works with the following operating systems:
• Windows 7/Vista/XP/Server 2008/Server 2003
• LabVIEW Real-Time 2010 or higher
Windows 7/Vista/Server 2008
Windows automatically detects the new hardware and installs the Ethernet
driver.
Windows XP/Server 2003
Windows automatically detects the new hardware and displays a Found
New Hardware Wizard window. Cancel the Found New Hardware
Wizard and insert the PCI/PXI Gigabit Ethernet Adapters CD. From the
CD, launch the appropriate executable: ProWin32.exe for 32-bit systems
or PROWinx64.exe for 64-bit systems. Follow the instructions to install
the driver for your Ethernet adapter.
LabVIEW Real-Time
LabVIEW Real-Time includes drivers for the Ethernet port on your
PXI-8231 board.
Troubleshooting
Adapter Cannot Connect to the Network
• Make sure the cable is installed properly.
The network cable must be installed properly at both the adapter and
hub. The maximum cable distance is 100 m. If the cable is connected
properly and within the allowed distance, try another cable.
• Check the LEDs on the adapter.
The adapter has two LEDs on the RJ-45 connector. The following table
lists the function of each LED.

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• Verify that you are using the drivers that came with the adapter.
Computer Hangs When Drivers Are Loaded
• Change the PCI BIOS interrupt settings. Refer to the PXI Installation
Tips section for more information.
Link LED Does Not Light
• Make sure the network drivers are loaded by checking the Driver tab
of the adapter’s Device Manager properties.
• Check the cable connection.
ACT LED Does Not Light
• Make sure the correct network drivers are loaded by checking the
Driver tab of the adapter’s Device Manager properties.
• The network may be idle.
Adapter Has Stopped Working
• Reseat the adapter in the PXI slot or try a different slot.
• The network drivers may be corrupt or missing. Remove and reinstall
the drivers.
• Reboot the computer.
• Use another cable.
• Use a different adapter.
LED Color Function Indication Meaning
Green Action/Link On The adapter is receiving power. The cable
connection is good.
Off The adapter is not sending or receiving
network data. The adapter is not receiving
power. The cable connection is bad or you
have a driver problem.
Flashing The adapter is sending and receiving
network data.
Yellow/Green Speed Yellow The adapter is operating at 1000 Mb/s.
Green The adapter is operating at 100 Mb/s.
Off The adapter is operating at 10 Mb/s.

©National Instruments Corporation 5 NI PXI-8231 Installation Guide
Link LED Is Not Lit When Computer Is Shut Down and Power Is
Connected
• Make sure the network cable is attached.
PXI Installation Tips
PXI computers are designed to configure add-in boards automatically each
time the computer starts. The PXI computer sets the I/O address and IRQ
level for the peripheral boards when the computer starts. The network
drivers cannot change these values. If you experience problems when the
computer starts, you may need to follow additional steps.
On some computers, manual configuration is possible through the
computer’s BIOS setup utility. Refer to the documentation for your
computer. You may need to verify or change some BIOS settings.
The following common solutions may correct your problem:
• Make sure you have installed the adapter in a bus master-enabled slot.
On some computers, not all slots are bus master enabled by default.
Check your BIOS settings. Enable PXI bus mastering, if your BIOS
has such an option.
• Reserve interrupts (IRQ) and/or memory addresses for ISA adapters.
This prevents PXI boards from using the same settings ISA boards are
using. Try changing some of the interrupts reserved for ISA, but not
being used, to reserved for PXI.
• Update your BIOS. Sometimes updating the BIOS corrects some
configuration problems.
• Configure the PXI slot for level-triggered interrupts instead of
edge-triggered interrupts in BIOS.
Ethernet Adapter Specifications
LEDs
Green............................................... Activity/Link
Yellow/Green.................................. Speed
Refer to ni.com/products for complete specifications.

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