how to read the iak file in visual c#

[AlbertJ]

I am trying to read the iak file from visual c#.  How to parse the file?

I need to know how and what information is stored in the file.

Why?

We have Fieldpoints and every time we are moving them around, or the eqjuipment connected to them.  Every time we have to go back and update the program reading the data from the Filedpoints.  If the program can read the iak file, it will be better.

[Ryan_V[DE]]

Albert,

Unfortunately, the .iak file is not stored in a human-readable format and not intended for use with applications other than MAX. Perhaps you could implement a similar configuration in the user interface of your application where the user can select what modules are connected?

Hope this helps,

[AlbertJ]

Viper..

Thanks for your comment.  I have already done what you suggested.  the problem is that everytime we change something in MAX (and therefore in the iak file), the user of my program has to make sure that the "addresses" of the fieldpoint channels match to the ones in the IAK file.  Is there a way I could find how to put the address in the MAX to a common URL.  For example

FROM :    opc://localhost/National Instruments.OPCFieldPoint/FP @ 10_20_38_5\FP-TC-120 @3\Channel 1

TO:        lookout://130.164.44.8/FP/1AI/01

[Ryan_V[DE]]

Albert,

Are you using Lookout? I'm not too familiar with that software, but I know that it is possible to use it as a gateway and map an opc fieldpoint channel to some other logical name. Then, your software could point to that logical name, rather than the FieldPoint channel address (which may change). Does this sound like something that will work for you?

Regards,

[AlbertJ]

Viper...

I do not know about lookout.  I will google it and work on it.  It seems that your suggestion is exactly what I am looking for.  I will post my findings..

Thank you again.

Regards

Albert

[Doug M]

Albert,
What exactly are you changing about your configuration that is causing the addressing to change? You should be able to change the data ranges without any addressing problems in MAX.  However, if you actually change the location of your Fieldpoint modules in the backplane (for compact Fieldpoint) or the order of the modules (for Traditional Fieldpoint) you are going to have to update the .iak file and also update all IO Point references or OPC references to these items in your VIs.  This is because the Fieldpoint I/O or OPC references are referencing a specific channel in a specific slot, so if that slot is changed, the reference has to change as well.  If you want to develop on a different computer, you can import you .iak file to the 2nd computer and configure the Fieldpoint bank there.

So unless you are actually physically changing the modules and what slots they are in or what order the modules are in, you should not need to change your Fieldpoint I/O points or OPC references.

[AlbertJ]

I am using the DataSocket.Update() function to "update" the data and then retrieve it. 

I am trying to see if the program or the DAtaSocket itself return an exception if I disconnect the cable, but I do not seem to catch any exception. 

Please help.

Also, this is for a different thread... how to use visa callbacks in visual c#.  I am trying and trying with no success.

[bburress]

Hey AlbertJ,
    In what development environment are you using the Datasocket functions?  These questions should really be posted as new discussion forum threads in the correct forums.

[AlbertJ]

Hi Brian,

Microsoft Visual C#.  And sorry for not posting it as  a new thread.

AJ

[Jon_M]

AlbertJ,

With the Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1 or later, you can use NI-VISA to create applications using Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET without Measurement Studio. You need Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 for the API documentation to be installed.

The installed documentation contains the NI-VISA API overview and function reference. This help is fully integrated into the Visual Studio .NET documentation. To view the VISA .NET documentation, go to Start»Programs»National Instruments»VISA»NI-VISA .NET Framework 1.1 Help. Expand NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET Class Library»Reference»NationalInstruments.VisaNS to view the function reference. Expand NI Measurement Studio Help»NI Measurement Studio .NET Class Library»Using the Measurement Studio .NET Class Libraries»Using the Measurement Studio VisaNS .NET Library to view conceptual topics for using NI-VISA with Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET.

To get to the same help topics from within Visual Studio .NET 2003, go to Help»Contents. Select Measurement Studio from the Filtered By drop-down list and follow the previous instructions.

Examples can be found at C:\Program Files\National Instruments\MeasurementStudio(version #)\DotNET\Examples\Visa. These examples are installed when you install the VISA driver with .NET support.