What does "Resolve Machine Alias" (TCP Palette) do?

[Bob_Schor]

There is a VI on the TCP palette with the intriguing name "Resolve Machine Alias", and a description that it returns the network address of the machine.  Its inputs are an App Refnum (a Refnum) and Machine Alias (a string).  As a test, I tried to run this with "LocalHost" as the Machine Alias, and got an error (1).  I also tried to wire "This VI" VI Server Reference to the App Refnum input, but had a "broken wire" (it would not connect).

There are no examples that I can find that use this function.  If I try to open the function to "look inside" and deduce what it does, I find that it is password-protected.

Can Someone Who Knows please enlighten me?  Could you consider putting better documentation (and maybe an example!) in the next release, or, if this indeed has no utility, removing the function?

Bob (Curmudgeon) Schor

[altenbach]

Sorry for stating the obvious, but did you try the help? (not just the context help)

Form what I can tell, It probably requires a project.

To get the IP of the current machine, just ise "string to IP" without input. To get it formatted, append an "IP to string". 😉

Message Edited by altenbach on 09-22-2009 10:06 AM

[Bob_Schor]

Don't worry about "stating the obvious" -- I've been known to overlook it, myself, but not this time!

1)  Yes, I did try the Help (and not just the context help).  It points me back to the context help.  Oh, well.

2)  I almost always develop using Project, and this "test VI" is no exception.  Even within a project, I still cannot figure out (a) how to call this VI without an error line, or (b) what it is supposed to do.

3)  I already use the String to IP (and other even more useful!) TCP VIs.  However, this is this VI that's included, called "Resolve Machine Alias", and I want to know what it does, and if it will be useful to me.  If all it does is duplicate the functionality of String to IP, then I suggest removing it (as it doesn't seem to work, and is undocumented) -- otherwise, if it does have a useful function, I'd like to know the nature of that function and how to invoke it.  Once I know that, I'll be able to decide if it fills a need that I might have.  [Sometimes you don't realize "there's a better way" until someone shows you the trick ...].

[Anna_K.]

Here is the detailed helP:

Resolve Machine Alias Details

The Resolve Machine Alias VI returns the network address of the machine alias specified in the LabVIEW project .aliases file. This .aliases file is automatically updated with mappings that you specify in the LabVIEW project. You can extend the set of mappings in the .aliases file. If you extend the mappings of the .aliases file and you check the LabVIEW project into source control, then you also need to check the .aliases file into source control.

And a description of the .aliases file:

File that maps computer names to IP addresses. For example, My Computer typically maps to localhost or the actual IP address of the host computer running LabVIEW. LabVIEW creates the .aliases file automatically when you create a LabVIEW project. LabVIEW creates a new .aliases file each time you open the project. If you build an application, the .aliases file is copied into the same directory as the application. You do not need to check the .aliases file into source control unless you extend the mappings in the file.

THey get created when you create and save your project, look in the project directory for it.

[kreative_24h]

Hi, I also wondered about the purpose of "Resolve Machine Alias.vi".

And I have tried it. Please refer to the attachment below. It will make you figure out LV Help File document better.

[KeddyC]

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out. This thread you posted on is 10 years old. For better visibility from the community, I recommend making a new thread for your question.

I assume you have looked at our NI help document about the purpose of it?

http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/371361P-01/lvcomm/resolve_machine_alias/

"The Resolve Machine Alias VI returns the network address of the machine alias specified in the LabVIEW project."

[Ben]

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@KeddyC wrote:

Hi,

Thanks for reaching out. This thread you posted on is 10 years old. For better visibility from the community, I recommend making a new thread for your question.

I assume you have looked at our NI help document about the purpose of it?

http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/371361P-01/lvcomm/resolve_machine_alias/

"The Resolve Machine Alias VI returns the network address of the machine alias specified in the LabVIEW project."

---

Blue user names are NI employees. The posts he has made to date also indicate he is a "blue-bar"...

Maybe you could just e-mail him?

After all it looks like he was just trying to share some knowledge and include it in a thread on the subject.

Ben