ni-fbus

[arwin]

Dear ni forum,

I need to connect an instrument through fieldbus communication.

Could I get and try ni-fbus for free? just for test, because I never use ni-fbus before and i dont know benefit using ni-fbus.

Is it possible using ni-fbus only with pcmcia card or i need install other card?

I have pcmcia card and download ni-fbus configurator, but it doesn't work. This software ask me to register and entering serial number.

Does serial number that I have to enter in activation window is similiar with pcmcia serial number?

thanks,

[Vince Shen]

1. The activation request you encountered is for NI-FBUS Configurator. I am sorry that there is no free full-function trial version of NI-FBUS Configurator.  You can use the evaluation version of Configurator which supports offline configuration.

2. There is no need to install any other cards. The NI-FBUS software you downloaded includes the driver for NI-FBUS PCMCIA-FBUS card.

The software package you downloaded from NI web contains NI-FBUS Communications Manager(CM) and NI-FBUS Configurator.

Communications Manager(CM) is free. It provides the drivers for NI-FBUS interface cards (such as PCMCIA-FBUS) and interfaces for accessing FF network.

Configurator is a graphical tool for FF network configuration. It needs extra purchasing and activation. An free evaluation version of Configurator is available without activation. You can use it to configure devices and FBAPs in offline mode.

Please refer to NI-FBUS Configurator User Manual Page 3-8  for a tutorial of creating an offline project. (Start->National Instruments->NI-FBUS->Manuals)

[arwin]

Dear Vince,

I cannot use evaluation version of configurator. In the configurator window, option for using offline configuration fail to access. I click the radio button, then it automatically release without selected. There is any possibility for solve my problem?

FYI, with windows 2000, my friend had succed use this card in FF network several month ago. But now, i need to use in XP flatform.

Regards,

[Vince Shen]

Hello,

Does "option for using offline configuration fail to access" refer to the "Create New Project" dialog before the launching of Configurator main window? Is there "No available Link to Select!" message in this dialog?

Please make sure that in NI-FBUS Interface Configuration Utility, the offline interface is added and enabled. If so, there should be offline interface listed in Configurator window.

Message Edited by Vince Shen on 05-22-2008 10:04 PM