Getting a system RT ready a.k.a LabVIEW RT for dummies

[SVJ]

Hello All,

We currently possess a PXI-8196 system running windows xp and would like to convert it to run the Labview real time engine. From what I have understood so far, we now have to make the system a dual boot system by changing the the filesystem from NTFS to FAT32 etc. 

My query is regarding the application development once the system has been booted with the real time OS. I see constant references to developing the application on a HOST system and then downloading the application to the RT target. Does this mean that I cannot develop my application on the PXI system any more and I need to access the PXI system from another PC on the network?

Shailesh

[Elmar_NI]

Hello Shailesh,

if you use your pxi system as a real time target you need a second system with windows for the programming part.

How to change the system into real time : http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/21C45EF391059C2A86257241005CA814?OpenDocument 

kind regards,

Elmar

[SVJ]

Hello Elmar,

many thanks for your reply. I have a further question to Labview RT now. Let me quickly underline the next steps I intend to take to convert my PXI system to an RT compatible system:

1) Backup all my data from the current system.

2) Use the recovery disk to format the system and to change the file system to FAT32.

Can I now directly boot my system with Labview RT??

I am sorry to post such trivial questions but this is a consequence of the online documentation not helping me much.

Regards,

Shailesh

[AdnanZ]

If you follow the steps mentioned in the article, after you install the RT OS, your controller should boot in LabVIEW Real Time.

[SVJ]

Hello Adnan,

thank you for the reply. I am able to understand the procedure upto point 6 which is basically reinstalling the OS. I reckon when I reboot my system, it will still load the normal XP that camewith the system originally.

Now to installing the RT OS. I am guessing that I should make the USB Utility drive on my PXI system and then reboot the systemusing the USB drive as primary device instead of the HDD?

Regards,

Shailesh

[AdnanZ]

Hi Shailesh,

I forgot what happened when I did it but I believe what you are saying is right. Otherwise, when the computer starts up, enter into BIOS setup and change the boot order that way.

[SVJ]

One last query! Do I need any special licenses for Labview RT??

[AdnanZ]

Each LabVIEW Real-Time hardware target requires one deployment license. This license is included with all NI RT PXI controllers, NI FieldPoint controllers, NI Compact FieldPoint controllers, NI RT Series PCI Plug-In Boards, and NI Compact Vision Systems. To deploy LabVIEW Real-Time applications to Windows PXI controllers or desktop PCs, you need to purchase the appropriate LabVIEW Real-Time deployment license.

[Caseyw]

Hello,

I thought I would post an additional comment on this thread. When working with LabVIEW Real-Time on a PXI controller, you have three options:

1) Install only LabVIEW Real-Time

2) Dual-boot LabVIEW Real-Time and Windows

3) Run both LabVIEW Real-Time and Windows with the NI Real-Time Hypervisor

Most recent PXI controllers from National Instruments are shipped with the ability to boot into LabVIEW Real-Time Safe Mode (to help you get started and install software), and you can do this in the BIOS. This is the best way to either boot into just LabVIEW Real-Time, or (by going into the BIOS on startup) switch between LabVIEW Real-Time and another OS.

The NI Real-Time Hypervisor allows you to actually boot into both OSs at once, so you view and interact with Windows XP -- but LabVIEW Real-Time is also running in parallel on the same controller. This works based on virtualization technology, and can be a good way to reduce the number of computers that you need to work with.

Best Regards,

Casey Weltzin

Product Manager, LabVIEW Real-Time

National Instruments