Best way to duplicate FeildPoint RT system(s)?

[tmaxprt]

Hi all!

We have created an RT application that uses network published shared variables (hosted on the RT target) and are now looking to duplicate this exact setup with new systems.  The new system(s) will have a host PC and an RT target, with all of the same IO modules.

Just curious as to what approach others have followed in this situation. Some of the issues I foresee:

1)  How to deploy the shared variables  onto the second target ?  Do I need to create another project with the second target in place of the first ?  That would be a pain if dealing with lots of systems....


2)  How to make sure the Host application (same for both hosts) is writing/reading to the shared variable on the correct target?  Both hosts will be able to "see" all targets on the network.  Do we need to change the host vi to use datasocket vi's and explicity specify the address of the target that that host is supposed to be communicating to?

3) Is there an easy way to duplicatew the MAX setup on all of the systems?

4) Is there any way to configure the IP address on the new systems without having to use MAX (I could not find one)....

[Kevin_H]

Hey tmaxprt,

Thank you for contacting National Instruments.  I have found a KnowledgeBase article that I believe will help you out.

How Do I Distribute a Real-Time Application with Shared Variables to Multiple Users?

Take a look at that document, and let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,

Kevin H

[tmaxprt]

Thanks Kevin!

This helps a lot, but I am still confused regarding the names who can use for your RT systems.   For example, in my case , I have one RT system "LCSRig01" and my aliases file looks
like this:

[LCSRig01]
LCSRig01=172.17.120.37

[My Computer]
My Computer=localhost

Now,  I want to duplicate this onto a second system, connected to a target that I'd like to name LCSRig02.   Can I name the RT target "LCSRig02", or does the second system also have to be called "LCSRig01" in order for the sared variables to work?

BTW - Both RT system "LCSRig01" and "LCSRig02" are on the same network and can be seen from both either host...

Thanks!

[Brian_T]

tmaxprt,

You will need to add the second target to the new project, then just drag and drop the variable library and all of your VI's over to it.  You are not able to just change the name in the aliases file and have it apply to the project.  Hope this helps!

Brian T
Applications Engineer

[tmaxprt]

You can't be serious?!

There has to be a better way to replicate....otherwise it would be a nightmare to maintain and support this everytime you wish to duplicate  a system.!

Maybe I should not be using shared variables but using data socket instead?

[Brian_T]

You can also right-click on the target in your project, and select Properties.  Here you can change the target name and IP address to that of the new one.  This will be a little faster than the method I first suggested.  Using this, all you will need to do is copy the project to the new computer, find the new remote target in MAX, and change the IP and target name settings in the project explorer.  I don't see how it could be much simpler than that.  There is even a tool you can use to make an image of your first RT target (all the software, drivers, VI's) and copy it to a different RT target.  This will speed things up, but you will still need to configure the new IP and target name on the new host.  You can find this tool here:

Real-Time Target System Replication

I hope this helps clear things up!

Brian T