NI Max "Communicate with instrument" question

[zacb]

I've noticed actions taken in the "communicate with instrument" window in NI Max which I would like to duplicate in CVI. I first noticed this behavior with a GPIB to digital converter (Digital 488/80A/CE). When I send commands to that instrument and encounter an error, the only way I've been able to clear the error is to close the window and open it again. The second time I observed the behavior was with an Omega/Newport iSeries PLC. The PLC would respond to one write, followed by one read command, then would produce an IO error for any subsequent commands. This error would be cleared and communication could resume once the window was closed and re-opened.

My question is, what commands can I use in CVI to duplicate the actions of closing and opening that window? I suspected they were simply viOpen and viClose, but they do not replicate the behavior seen in NI Max.

edit: The PLC uses TCP/IP for communication.

[Benjamin38]

Zac, 

I would recommend that you download the NI-488.2 driver http://www.ni.com/nisearch/app/main/p/bot/no/ap/tech/lang/en/pg/1/sn/catnav:du,n8:3.25.123.785,ssnav....  The version is simply dependent on what OS you are running, so download the appropriate one.  

This driver will install a folder that can be found at: 

Start >> All Programs >> National Instruments (folder) >> NI-488.2 >> Examples >> Standard C and or CVI for specific examples

These are prebuilt examples and common calls for communicating with GPIB devices and should get you started on your way.