Getting the DAQ Assistant to see a networked USB hub.

[chuggins143]

Hello one and all, I'm working on a project and have found that I'd like to  get further away from my hardware than the standard USB cable will allow, so I picked up a 4 port network USB hub.  (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6705416&CatId=4753) 

I've hooked it up, installed the software, and it seems to be working as advertised... plugged in a jump drive, it finds it and I can access it no problem.  I then plugged in one of my cDAQ 9174's and it finds it, but when I run DAQ Assistant nothing shows up.  I'm just curious if anyone else has tried to collect data across a LAN like this?   ...or if anyone can clue me in to what I'm doing wrong?  I haven't ever tried to hook a system up like this before...  I searched, but didn't find anything that looked similar... thoughts??

A few notes... To run the hub directly to my laptop I'm using a crossover cable, this eliminates the need for a switch/hub.  I'm running XP, LabVIEW 2009, and in the end I'll have two cDAQ-9174's (one with a 9205 AI module and a 9263 AO module... the other with a 9205 AI module and a 9264 AO module) and two Measurement Computing USB-ERB24's running on this system.

Thanks!

Chad

[Brian_P]

Chad,

Thank you for using the National Instruments forums.  I found a tutorial, that I believe addresses your issue.  The tutorial says that "USB to Ethernet adapters generally do not work for USB DAQ systems and are not recommended." I would recommend the 9188 chassis or the 9181 to collect data over long distances.

If you don't want to go that route, the only other thing might be to see if the device works in Measurement and Automation Explorer with you USB hub, but with USB to ethernet there are no guarentees that you can collect data effectively.

I hope that helps.

Brian P. 

[chuggins143]

Brian,

Thank you for the info and links!  They were quite informative.  Now, I must ask, the tutorial says that it's not "suggested", does that mean that in certain instances it is feasible with the correct hardware?  (possible suggestions??)  I'm only asking because I have several systems already built that are utilizing the cDAQ-9174 platform and buying more/different hardware would be a tough sell to the bosses.  I also looked and don't see a 4 slot version of the Ethernet unit... Is this an offering that might come to pass in the future?  Your help is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Chad

[Brian_P]

Chad,

It might work to use a USB hub.  In order to see the device in LabVIEW, you will first have to reserve the device.  To do this I would try running through the steps in the 9188 Manual on pages 1-7 and 1-8.  This should configure the device to then be used in LabVIEW.

Please let me know if that works.  Because technically this isn't a supported feature, I would be interested to hear the results.

Brian P.

[chuggins143]

Brian,

Can you please clarify... you mention using a "usb hub"... are you suggesting I use that in addition to the USB/Ethernet hub?   I ask because the hub I have in hand now has 4 USB ports in and a single Ethernet port out.  (TRENDnet TU2-NU4)

I just tried to find the USB/Ethernet hub via MAX, but it's not showing up... even when I plug the IP address directly in.  So I'm thinking that it's a connectivity issue with the hub itself.  I'll do some more research and post back up with what I find.

Thanks!

Chad

[Brian_P]

Chad,

Sorry about that,  I ment to say your USB/Ethernet hub might work.  You also said that you were able to see your 9174 when you installed that software, where did you see it at? Also you will need to find your chassis in MAX not necessarily the hub.

I hope the clarification helped.

Brian P. 

[SnowMule]

Another option is to use a "USB Extender".  These come as a pair of dongles you connect a Cat5 cable between.  Lets you go longer distances than a straight-up USB cable will, but it won't connect to or interface with an Ethernet network.  It just uses the same cables/connectors. 

[chuggins143]

Brian,

Ok, thanks for the clarification.  I have the hub software seeing the NI hardware, but MAX isn't seeing the hub.  My computer is showing  the "Limited or No Connectivity" icon for my Ethernet connection even though I can access a jump drive I have installed on the USB/Ethernet hub.

We're now thinking that the hub needs to be plugged into a router.  So I'm off to buy a router...

Mule,

I'll have to check those out.  May not get me completely where I want to go, but it's a start!

Thanks guys!   I'lll keep the updates coming!

Chad

[SnowMule]

Most NICs manufactured in the last decade are auto-detecting.... crossover cable will work fine; shouldn't need a router.

You may need to manually configure the device and computer to be on the same subnet though.

If you have a LAN with a DHCP server on it (company network), try connecting the device and your computer to that.  Your computer and the USB-LAN hub will pull the network configuration and IP address from the DHCP server.

[chuggins143]

Ok, here's another part of the deal... I don't want my hardware to be on the "company" network.  Our IT dept has a curious way of sticking its fingers where they don't belong.  My current connections are...

I'm on a laptop and logged in to the companys wireless "public" network, which is pretty much an open network, it has a password, but it's not being filtered for all intents and purposes... hence I can get onto forums such as this one.

I have the USB/Ethernet hub hooked up to my network port on said laptop, which I can "ping" no problem, but still shows "limited or no connectivity".   I have it setup with a static IP address, which I can type into MAX under the Devices and Interfaces/Network Devices, click on Find Network NI-DAQmx Devices, and it searches, but still gives me "device not found"

I'm still thinking I have something set on my computer that's giving me the limited/no connectivity and that may be blocking the recognition.  I'm going to try the router and see if that does anything.

Chad