use CAN or DNET API?

[freemason]

Hello,

I have few programs that are using DNET VIs on a PCMCIA-CAN card. migrating to windows 7 requires that we move to usb CAN card but our program uses DNET VIs and USB device net is not available through NI. 

will a USB-CAN card work with my current program that uses DNET VIs and a DNET dongle, or do i need to make CAN VIs to provide same functionality with or without using the Dongle.

I am new to CAN and DNET, 

as i understand it DNET is the application layer for CAN, does it mean that the CAN signals i recieve from the source machine are converted into some easily readable format by that dongle and DNET VIs instead of the HEX bytes, IDs and timestamps that the CAN signals are recieved.

if so is there a way to do away without using the dnet api and dongle and somehow convert CAN signals into meaningful information with some CAN API if its available. Is this a significant programming effort to do with CAN what the dnet already does?

any help is appreciated

Thanks

[Sam_Sharp]

XNET is the LabVIEW driver/API for interfacing with CAN devices and you can also use it for converting CAN frames to signals and vice-versa (so you can use non NI CAN hardware).

[Michael_78]

NI have a migration path to upgrade from the now discontinued DNET API.  However I cannot see USB hardware listed.  One option you may choose to consider is some kind of PCMCIA converter, Google throws up several products which may be suitable.  This may work as a short term solution for you.

[freemason]

thanks for the answers,

PCMCIA is not supported in win 7 , thats the reason for going after usb solutions.

[freemason]

Thanks sam.

I just discovered that our machine internally has CAN network but those singals come out through an SST DNET network interface card (link below) so the signals are essentially converted already to DNET thats the reason why NI-DNET cards were used. (PCMCIA and PXI 8461/D). there is PXI-8532 that can replace 8461 thats cool, but no USB 

http://www.molex.com/webdocs/mysst/pub/drivers/5136-dn/dnp-pci.pdf

I am able to located a DNET to USB converter which has LabVIEW drivers but not compatible with windows 7

http://www.icpdas-usa.com/documents/i-7565-dnm_usermanual.pdf

this one doesnot have LabVIEW drivers but is compatible with windows 7

http://www.literature.molex.com/SQLImages/kelmscott/Molex/PDF_Images/987650-5301.pdf

does any one know of a DNET to USB converter that has both LV drivers and Win 7 compatible?

if not, how hard is it to write a labview driver using the supplied DLLs for the 2nd link molex device, any guide / tutorial ?

also is the XNET device / driver capable of replacing DNET device and driver?

any help is appreciated

Thanks

[chembo]

Does your laptop have PCMCIA slot. Maybe it will be easier to find an older laptop or PCMCIA adapter which supports this card..

I have here an old Lenovo T61p with Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit and also one NI PCMCIA-CAN Series 2 card. I never used it, because it is not supported by NI DNET drivers.

Now I just inserted it in the PCMCIA slot of the laptop and I can see it in the Windows Device Manager and also in NI MAX. I have NI CAN 2.7.5 and NI DNET 1.6.7 drivers installed on the laptop, so I guess you still can try with your PCMCIA card on WIndows 7. The self test passed also.

You can use the NI DNET drivers with the newer LabVIEW versions, even if it is officially supported up to 2012. We use them with LabVIEW 2013 without any problems.

If you still decide to go with a new USB adapter, it will be a good idea to check, if the software needs explicit messages. Some adapters don't support them, or it is difficult to implement.

Another option is maybe Modbus based DeviceNet Gateway. It depends on the application. If the DeviceNet network is fixed (no constantly changing slaves, MAC IDs, etc...) this maybe a good option too. I have used a Modbus TCP/IP DeviceNet Gateway with LabVIEW.