LabVIEW
Controllable Network Switch
Good Morning,
I am building a test system for a customer, who's unit to be tested has three network ports, all of which have the same IP address. I am trying to find a way to "test" all three ports, one of which is used for communicating with a test program running on the UUT, the others I will only need to connnect or "ping" them nothing extensive. What I think I need is some remotely (three feet away) controllable "network switch" to switch between the three "ports" during the test, controllable from my LabVIEW program. I thought that was what the customer had gotten, but have come to find that is not so. I'm a little less than expert (!) on switches/routers/hubs, and my quick research from my hotel (I'm onsite this week) didn't turn up any thing. I think a simple contollable 3X1 switch matrix with enough pins for the needed network pin, in a physical configuration that will handle the signal rates, would do, but my search didn't find anything immediately. Ideally it would be something that I can simply control via a network messaging (I have two network ports in my machine, one which is only talking to a Lambda Power Supply, the other to the UUT) , serial (I have a bunch of those in this configuration, 18 to be exact, only 13 of which are used to test the UUT) or USB. It would be nice if it had RJ45 connectors, but it isn't necessary as the UUT side is DB15, so we have to make an adapter anyway. And, hopefully it won't break the bank as the budget was tight to start. I also have some digital outputs on a NI6009 USB DAQ, which at the moment is only being used to make 4 voltage measurements. I wish I had discovered this flaw in our design, but the hardware only came together last week, and most of that time was spent working out the "undocumented features" (bugs) in the communications protocol between my program and the one running in the uut before the programmer for that part went on a two week trek in the Himalayas.
Thanks, as usual.
The UUT, with the three ports, is running QNX, a flavor of Unixie OS. Can't really disable the ports unfortunately. I think what I'm looking for is some switch for RJ45/ Cat5 type signal paths that I can control, if needed with the digital lines on the NI6009. Oops, didn't see your message until I had sent this. That is sort of what I was looking for, really need an A/B/C switch though.
Ben, I'm only a short distance away from you folks, up in Erie at the moment.
Good Morning! The answer to you Ben is yes. Pretty well dominates this town, although I see other places too.
I see some switches on the site you sent me that look very promising, but they may be a bit pricey for this planned project. The "simplest" solution would be to use the "manual switch" of having the operator, connect, test, disconnect the ports, but we are trying to have the minimal operator interaction, although this does give me an idea. As it would only be three more operator tasks I don't think that it would be unreasonable.
If my car wasn't on its last legs I'd shoot on down some afternoon to see you and Mike, will have to have a "new" car soon (better!) or I will be walking.
