StarTech PCI Expansion

[alias4]

Hi. We're looking to expand the number of PCI slots available on a PC to allow the following configuration:

2x PCI-6255s
2x PCI-6723s
 
I wanted some advice to see if anyone has had some experiance with PCI bus expansions. I've read around the forum, and found this old thead from 2001 Has anyone used the StarTech expansion bay (found here).

The StarTech is much cheaper than similar products from Magma and from Adlink

The large difference in price is a concern, so I wanted to ask for your opinion, and experiance. It might be because of the OS support by Magma and Adlink. StarTech seems to be Win32 only, and perhaps it's also the build and components used.

Any ideas/advice/experiance?

Thanks

[rbruno]

Sorry to see no one replied so far to your post. We are also comparing Startech's system vs Magma's and are asking the same questions. Did you ever try one of the PCI expansion systems?

[gt3000]

Hello rbruno,

I have been looking at previous solutions that have been available for users of NI hardware and have found some information regarding Magma expansion chasses.  At the moment, I have not found any information regarding Startech solutions. 

Magma was known to have some issues regarding the order in which the PC and the expansion system was turned on.  When using multiple cards, it is often required to synchronize between instruments and perform hardware triggerring.  When synchronizing PCI boards inside a PC, a separate internal connnection is required, called RTSI.  How do you plan on performing this task with a PCI expansion chassis?

Regards,

[alias4]

Hi rbruno

I just saw your message. We purchased the StarTech expansion bay and it worked right away. We've tested it with 2 different PCI cards: NI PCI 6723 and 6255. Both passed our initial tests. The unit is powered by an external power supply, which has to be turned on before you turn on the PC for the PCIe-PCI bridge to be recognised.

The tests were done on a PC running Windows XP.

[gt3000]

Hello rbruno,

It seems that another NI user was able give feedback on which PCI expansion chassis can work.  I would also like to direct your attention to using a PXI expansion chassis.  Most PCI cards from NI are also in the PXI form factor.  The chassis is controlled through either a PCI or PCIe card in the Desktop, and appears as a PCI bridge.  The connection is called MXI.

The link describes a common MXI chassis

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/202984

You may want to consider this for better cooling options, as well as higher performance in an industrial environment.  Furthermore, it is a fully supported solution from National Instruments.

Regards,

[rbruno]

Thanks to both of you. We were aware of the PXI chassis, but we have a large investment already in PCI hardware. We've ordered the Startech system and will give it a try.

[Michael_78]

Hi, I know this is a very old thread, but I am about to buy a Startech PCI expansion chassis to use with existing PCI data acquisition cards.  Has anyone had any experience, good or bad?  I have to try this as the new PC's which are being used only have PCI-e slots and we have a number of PCI cards. I appreciate any information!  Has the original poster still got this system running?

Thanks,

Michael.

[rbruno]

I had bought the StarTech PCI expansion chassis as I had written years ago above. It worked well, but died after a few years. I replaced it with a Magma unit (probably more than 5 years ago), which is still working well. We built another system but with a PXI chassis, and I am now sold on this design. If I did not have old PCI hardware, I would only use PXI for our applications.

[Michael_78]

Thank you very much for the feedback, especially after so long.  Good to know your system is still running, even with a second chassis.  I  be here to answer the next user after 5 years, all being well!