National Instruments Multisystem eXtension Interface NI PXI-8360 User manual

Set Up Your MXI -Express x1
System
This document explains what is needed to set up various MXI-Express x1
hardware configurations.
The products covered by this guide are the NI PCI-8361, NI PCIe-8361/
8362, NI PXI-8360/8364, NI PXIe-8360/8364, and NI ExpressCard-8360.
For the remainder of this manual the term MXI-Express x1 product refers
to any of these products.
Additional compatible products are included in subsequent tables, but are
not covered in this manual.
Terminology
The following terms may be used throughout this document:
•Host PC—A host computer with at least one of the following slot
types available:
– PCI Express x1 or wider
–PCI
•Laptop—A portable laptop with the following slot types available:
– ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot with PCI Express support1
•Expansion Chassis—An expansion chassis of any of the following
types:
– CompactPCI chassis
– PXI chassis
– CompactPCI Express chassis
– PXI Express chassis
– VXI mainframe
– NI CompactRIO backplane
1 Some ExpressCard adapters support USB only.
™

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 2 ni.com
•MXI-Express x1 copper cable—Standard PCI Express specification
compliant cable with 18-pin Molex TDP™connectors.
Note Refer to the Cabling section for details and ordering information. Most
MXI-Express kits include the cable, but not all.
•Host Board—The MXI-Express x1 board of a cabled pair of boards
that is closer to the CPU.
•Target Board—The MXI-Express x1 board of a cabled pair of boards
that is farther from the CPU.
•Cabled Pair—Two MXI-Express x1 boards that are connected with a
single cable.
Note Some NI MXI-Express x1 link capable products have integrated ports and do not
require a separate host or target board.
Connecting a PC or Laptop to an Expansion Chassis
Using a MXI-Express x1 Copper Cable
Refer to the Terminology section for more detail on the items in this list.
Equipment Needed
❑Host PC or laptop
❑Expansion chassis
❑MXI-Express x1 copper cable
❑A MXI-Express x1 host board and target board that is appropriate for
the host system slot and target chassis. Refer to Table 1 for more
information.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Table 1. MXI-Express x1 Connectivity Support From a Host PC Using a Copper Cable
From Host Targets
Slot Type Product
PXI Chassis VXI Chassis PXI Express Chassis MXI-Express RIO
NI PXI-8360 NI PXI-1033*NI VXI-8360T NI PXIe-8360 NI PXIe-1073*NI 9157*NI 9159*
PCI NI PCI-8361 —†—†—†—†— —
PCI Express x1 NI PCIe-8361       
PCI Express x1 NI PCIe-8362       
ExpressCard NI ExpressCard-8360       
Industrial
Controller
NI 3100/3110*      
*Product has an integrated MXI-Express x1 port.
† These configurations are not supported, even though the front panel MXI connectors are mechanically compatible. For these configurations the boards will likely report a valid cable link via the
front panels LEDs. Since these link scenarios expose a possible data integrity issue that may not be obvious to the user, National Instruments strongly recommends against using these configurations.
Note: For installation instructions and other information concerning the NI PXI-1033, NI PXIe-1073, NI VXI-8360T, NI 9157, NI 9159, and the NI 3100/3110, refer to their respective user manuals.
Note: For full PXI or PXI Express functionality, refer to the Software Installation and Configuration section.
Note: PCI Express host slots will give better throughput and latency performance than PCI slots.

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 4 ni.com
Connecting Additional Expansion Chassis to a System
Using a MXI-Express x1 Copper Cable
Refer to the Terminology section for more detail on the items in this list.
Equipment Needed
❑Chassis (or embedded controller with ExpressCard slot) to daisy-chain
from
❑Expansion chassis to daisy-chain to
❑MXI-Express x1 copper cable
❑A MXI-Express x1 host board and target board that is appropriate for
the host system slot and target chassis. Refer to Table 2 for more
information.

©National Instruments Corporation 5 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Table 2. MXI-Express x1 Daisy-Chain Connectivity Support From a Chassis Using a Copper Cable
From Chassis Targets
Slot Type Product
PXI Chassis VXI Chassis PXI Express Chassis MXI-Express RIO
NI
PXI-8360
NI
PXI-1033*NI VXI-8360T NI PXIe-8360 NI PXIe-1073*NI 9157*NI 9159*
PXI or PXIe Hybrid NI PXI-8364 —†—†—†—†‡‡
PXI Express or PXIe
Hybrid
NI PXIe-8364       
ExpressCard** NI ExpressCard-8360       
*Product has an integrated MXI-Express x1 port.
† These configurations are not supported, even though the front panel MXI connectors are mechanically compatible. For these configurations the boards will likely report a valid cable link via the
front panels LEDs. Since these link scenarios expose a possible data integrity issue that may not be obvious to the user, National Instruments strongly recommends against using these configurations.
‡Daisy-chaining from PXI Express or ExpressCard slots will give better throughput and latency performance than PXI or PXI Express hybrid slots.
** ExpressCard slot of an embedded controller that is installed in the chassis to be daisy-chained from.
Note: For installation instructions and other information concerning the NI PXI-1033, NI PXIe-1073, NI VXI-8360T, NI 9157, and NI 9159 refer to their respective user manuals.
Note: For full PXI or PXI Express functionality, refer to the Software Installation and Configuration section.

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 6 ni.com
Installation and Configuration
This section explains how to unpack, install, and configure the
MXI-Express x1 hardware and software.
Unpacking
Your MXI-Express x1 boards are shipped in antistatic packages to prevent
electrostatic damage (ESD) to the devices. ESD can damage several
components on the device.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors. Doing so may damage the device.
To avoid such damage in handling the device, take the following
precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded
object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis
before removing the device from the package.
Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose
components or any sign of damage. Notify NI if the device appears
damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device into a computer,
laptop, PXI/CompactPCI, PXI Express/CompactPCI Express,
CompactRIO, or VXI chassis.
Store the device in the antistatic envelope when not in use.

©National Instruments Corporation 7 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Hardware Installation
The following are general instructions for installing the MXI-Express x1
cards. Consult your computer user manual or technical reference manual
for specific instructions and warnings.
Installing an NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361/8362 Host Card
Complete the following steps to install the NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361/
8362 in your computer.
1. Power off your computer.
Caution To protect both yourself and the computer from electrical hazards, your computer
should remain off until you finish installing all hardware as instructed.
2. Remove the top cover or access port to the PCI or PCI Express
expansion slots.
3. Touch the metal part of the power supply case inside the computer to
discharge any static electricity that might be on your clothes or body.
4. Unplug the computer and wait 30 seconds to allow the energy stored
in the computer’s power supply to fully dissipate.
5. Select any available PCI slot for the NI PCI-8361 or PCI Express
(x1 or wider) expansion slot for the NI PCIe-8361/8362.
Note The BIOS or motherboard may not support the NI PCIe-8361/8362 in a slot
intended for a graphics card.
6. Locate the metal bracket that covers the cut-out in the back panel of the
computer for the slot you have selected. Remove and save the
bracket-retaining screw and the bracket cover.
7. Line up the NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361/8362 with the slot on the
back panel, as shown in Figure 1. Slowly push down on the top of the
NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361/8362 until its card-edge connector is
resting on the expansion slot receptacle. Using slow, evenly distributed
pressure, press the NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361/8362 straight down
until it seats in the expansion slot.
8. Reinstall the bracket-retaining screw to secure the NI PCI-8361 or
NI PCIe-8361/8362 to the back panel rail.
9. Replace the computer cover.
10. Plug the computer back in.

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 8 ni.com
Figure 1. NI PCIe-8361/8362 Card Installation Example
Note Figure 1 shows a PCI Express based card installation. The same procedure applies
for a PCI card and slot.
Installing the Low-Profile Bracket (Optional)
To install the NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361 in a host computer that
requires a low-profile height card, the front bracket must be replaced with
the low-profile bracket included with your kit. Complete the following
steps to replace the bracket.
1 NI PCIe-8361/8362
2 PCI Express x1 Card-Edge Connector
3 PCI Express Slot
1
3
2

©National Instruments Corporation 9 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361
1. Remove the standard height front bracket already installed on
your NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361 card by removing the
two 4-40
× 3/16 inch Phillips head screws and the two 4-40 × 3/16 inch
standoff screws that attach the bracket to the card, as shown in Figure 2.
Set the screws aside to re-use when installing the low-profile bracket.
Figure 2. Removing the Standard Height Bracket from an NI PCI-8361
Note The NI PCI-8361 standard height bracket mounting tabs rest against the back side
of the card. The NI PCIe-8361 standard height bracket mounting tabs rest against the front
side of the card, which is the side upon which the cabled PCI Express connector rests.
2. Fit the low-profile bracket onto the NI PCI-8361 or NI PCIe-8361.
Ensure the two mounting tabs on the low-profile bracket rest against
the back side of the card and that the LED bulb is situated in the
bracket’s LED display hole correctly, where applicable.
3. Align the mounting holes on the card with the threaded holes on the
mounting tabs of the bracket. Insert the two 4-40 ×3/16 inch Phillips
head screws from the front side of the card to attach the bracket.
4. Install the two 4-40 ×3/16 inch standoff screws to the front connector
holes.
5. Tighten all screws to a maximum torque of 3.6 lb · in. (0.407 N · m).
1 4-40 ×3/16 inch Standoff Screws (x2)
2 LED Display Hole
3 Standard Height Bracket
4LEDBulb
5 4-40 ×3/16 inch Phillips Head Screws (x2)
6 Cabled PCI Express Connector
7 Front Side of Card
8 Mounting Tab
4
1
8
3
7
2
6
5

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 10 ni.com
Installing an NI ExpressCard-8360 Host Card
Because a laptop is not grounded, follow this procedure to safely connect
it to your PXI system:
1. Install the NI PXI-8360, NI PXI-8361, or NI PXIe-8360 as directed in
the Installing an NI PXI-8360/8364 or NI PXIe-8360/8364 Board
section where applicable.
2. Touch the NI ExpressCard-8360 and a metal part of the PXI chassis
simultaneously. Do not install it into the laptop or embedded controller
yet.
3. Connect the cable to the NI ExpressCard-8360 and target chassis.
4. Plug the NI ExpressCard-8360 into an available ExpressCard slot.
If your computer is already running (or hibernating, etc.) when you
install NI ExpressCard-8360, you must reboot to detect the PXI system.
Otherwise, the PXI system is detected when you start your computer.
Figure 3 shows how to insert the NI ExpressCard-8360 into a laptop and
connect the cable.
Figure 3. Installing the NI ExpressCard-8360 Into a Laptop
1 MXI-Express x1 Cable 2ExpressCardSlot 3 Portable Computer
3
2
1

©National Instruments Corporation 11 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Installing an NI PXI-8360/8364 or NI PXIe-8360/8364 Board
Table 3 provides information on which PXI or PXI Express
MXI-Express x1 boards are compatible with which chassis slot types.
Note For this section, all of the above products will be referred to as an “NI PXI board.”
Complete the following steps to install the NI PXI board into your PXI or
PXI Express chassis.
1. Power off your PXI or PXI Express chassis, and leave it plugged in.
The power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from ESD.
Caution To protect both yourself and the chassis from electrical hazards, leave the chassis
off until you finish installing the NI PXI board.
2. Remove or open any doors or covers blocking access to the slot in
which you intend to install the NI PXI board.
3. Touch a metal part of the chassis to discharge any static electricity that
might be on your clothes or body.
4. Make sure the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position.
Be sure to remove all connector packaging and protective caps from
retaining screws on the module. Align the NI PXI board with the card
guides on the top and bottom of the chassis slot.
Table 3. NI MXI-Express x1 PXI/PXI Express Board Slot Type Compatibility
NI PXI Board
PXI Chassis PXI Express Chassis
Controller Peripheral Controller Peripheral Hybrid
NI PXI-8360 — — — —
NI PXI-8364 —— — 
NI PXIe-8360 — — — —
NI PXIe-8364 — — —  
H

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 12 ni.com
Caution Do not raise the injector/ejector handle as you insert the NI PXI board. It will not
insert properly unless the handle is in its downward position so that it does not interfere
with the injector/ejector rail on the chassis, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. Example NI PXI Board Installation into a PXI Chassis
5. Hold the handle as you slowly slide the module into the chassis until
the handle catches on the injector/ejector rail.
6. Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module firmly seats into the
backplane receptacle connectors. The front panel of the NI PXI board
should be even with the front panel of the chassis.
7. Tighten the bracket-retaining screws on the top and bottom of the front
panel to secure the NI PXI board to the chassis.
8. Replace or close any doors or covers to the chassis.
Note Figure 4 shows an NI PXI board and chassis installation. The same procedure
applies for a PXI Express board and chassis.
1 PXI/CompactPCI Chassis
2 NI PXI Board
3 Ejector Handle in Down Position
4 Injector/Ejector Rail
3
1
2
4

©National Instruments Corporation 13 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Cabling
MXI-Express x1 products support two types of cable of various lengths.
Table 4 shows the MXI-Express x1 copper cables1available from National
Instruments.
Powering On the MXI-Express x1 System
1. Power on all of the expansion chassis in any order you choose.
2. Power on the host.
Note There are no requirements on the order that connected expansion chassis are powered
up relative to each other, as long as they are all on before the computer is powered on.
3. Observe the LED status on the NI PCI-8361, NI PCIe-8361/8362,
NI PXI-8360/8364, and NI PXIe-8360/8364 where applicable. A
properly connected and powered up system should display a valid link
and power status on all of these boards once the host PC is powered on.
Refer to the LED Indicators section for more information.
Typical PCI-PCI bridges are used to add PCI devices to a PCI hierarchy in
which all the bridges and devices are contained within a single chassis.
Because of this, BIOSes and operating systems make the assumption that
all PCI devices in the entire hierarchy will be available as soon as code
execution begins at power-up time. This assumption means that all of the
expansion chassis must be turned on before the host PC for the BIOS and
OS to correctly configure a MXI-Express system.
Note In some cases where there is an invalid MXI-Express x1 connection, some boards
may report a valid link while others do not. It is important to observe a valid link status
across all connected MXI-Express x1 boards when the host is powered on to ensure a valid
configuration.
1 For more information, refer to the Terminology section.
Table 4. National Instruments MXI-Express x1 Copper Cables
Cable Length
(Meters) Description Part Number
1 m MXI-Express x1 copper cable 779500-01
3 m MXI-Express x1 copper cable 779500-03
7 m MXI-Express x1 copper cable 779500-07

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 14 ni.com
Powering Off the MXI-Express x1 System
Because operating systems and drivers commonly make the assumption
that PCI devices will be present in the system from power-up to
power-down, it is important not to power off the expansion chassis until
after the host PC is powered off. Powering off the expansion chassis while
the host is still on can cause crashes or hangs. However, once the host PC
is powered off, the order that the expansion chassis are powered off is not
important.
LED Indicators
The LEDs on MXI-Express x1 cards provide status information about
power supplies and link state. The NI PCI-8361, NI PXI-8364, and
NI PXIe-8364 all have one tri-color LED on the panel, indicating power
and link status. The NI PCIe-8362 has two tri-color LEDs on the panel,
indicating power and link status for each port. The NI PXI-8360 and
NI PXIe-8360 have two LEDs, one for power supply status and one for link
state.
Note In some cases where there is an invalid MXI-Express x1 connection, some boards
may report a valid link while others do not. It is important to observe a valid link status
across all connected MXI-Express x1 boards when the host is powered on to ensure a valid
configuration.
Table 5. LED Status Descriptions of MXI-Express x1 Products
Board LED Color Meaning
NI PCI-8361 (199392x-01L)
NI PCIe-8362 (190735x-01L)
NI PXI-8364 (199991x-02L)
NI PXIe-8364 (193970x-01L)
PWR/LINK Off Power is off
Blinking Red Power is out of spec
Solid Amber Power is within spec;
no link to chassis
Solid Green Power is within spec;
link established
NI PXI-8360 (191373x-01)
NI PXIe-8360 (194402x-01L)
PWR Off No power
Solid Red Power is out of spec
Solid Green Power is within spec
LINK Off Link not established
Solid Green Link established

©National Instruments Corporation 15 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Refer to Figure 5 for onboard LED locations.
Figure 5. NI PXIe-8364 (193970x-01L) Onboard LED Locations
Link Good LEDs—LEDs that indicate a successful cable link (LED 0) and
backplane link (LED 4).
Link Activity LEDs—LEDs that indicate link activity on the cable link
(LED 0) and the backplane link (LED 4).
PCIe Switch
PCIe Gen 1 x4
PCIe Gen 1 x1
MXI-Express x1
Copper
4
0
Link Good
4
0
Link Activity
Port 0 Port 4

Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System 16 ni.com
The NI PXIe-8360 also has a vertical column of 16 LEDs on the back side
of the card near the front connector, as shown in Figure 6. These LEDs
provide additional information about the link status of the PCI Express
lanes on the module to the backplane. Each group of four LEDs
corresponds to one of the four PCI Express links to the backplane.
Figure 6. NI PXIe-8360 Back Side LED Locations
Notes If you are using a chassis (such as the NI PXIe-1062) that directly links the
PXI Express board, the LEDs to that slot will not illuminate until you have a PXI Express
board installed and linked.
If you are using the NI PXIe-1062 chassis, you will notice that the last group of LEDs has
an LED (PORT 3) illuminated even if no boards are populated in the slots. Since the
NI PXIe-1062 uses the last link for a PCI Express to PCI bridge for PXI communication,
this link should always be active. Different chassis topologies will give different default
behaviors. Contact your chassis’ manufacturer for more information on your chassis’
topology.
1 Back Panel LEDs
1

©National Instruments Corporation 17 Set Up Your MXI-Express x1 System
Software Installation and Configuration
Installation
MXI-Express x1 is based on PCI Express technology, using PCI Express
switches and/or bridges to enable control of a PXI or PXI Express chassis
from a PC or laptop with an available PCI, PCI Express, or ExpressCard
slot. This technology will be recognized as a collection of PCI-to-PCI
bridges to the operating system, and should automatically have
CompactPCI support without any additional software.
Note For full PXI/PXI Express functionality such as chassis and controller identification,
trigger routing, and slot detection, install the PXI Platform Services software included with
your kit. This software also can be found at ni.com/updates by searching for
PXI Platform Services.
For operating system support, refer to the KnowledgeBase 53399AQ7,
PXI Platform Services Operating System Support, at ni.com/kb.
Configuring Your System
Note The following requires the PXI Platform Services software and
Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), included on your PXI Platform
Services CD or your driver CD.
For information on configuring your system in MAX, open MAX and
navigate to Help»Help Topics»PXI.

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© 2011 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved. 373259D-01 Nov11