NI 9144 Chassis Connection directly with computer using Ethernet Cable]

[N1kul]

Hey everyone,

I my trying to scan NI9144 directly to my computer. Is it possible to do that? I read somewhere that it needs a master controller to in between like a compactRIO and it itself is just an expansion chassis. The only way to connect it directly to the PC is through EtherCAT network and we need a Mater controller to setup an EnterCAT network. Additionally, it can be connected directly to the PC by some third part controllers like backoff systems. There's no way we can use it with LabView without a physical additional device (master controller/cRIO).

I am a complete beginner, and I want someone to see my understanding of material so far. Please correct me if I'm wrong and help me getting started with NI-9144.

Thankyou

[Oli_Wachno · Accepted solution]

First of all: this is the wrong forum to ask hardware questions like this.

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Real-Time-Measurement-and/bd-p/280 would probably be a better place for information.

From my understanding, the ports of the NI9144 are EtherCat only, so you need to have an EtherCat Master to connect to it, like a Beckhoff System.

[rolfk · Accepted solution]

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@Oli_Wachno wrote:

First of all: this is the wrong forum to ask hardware questions like this.

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Real-Time-Measurement-and/bd-p/280 would probably be a better place for information.

From my understanding, the ports of the NI9144 are EtherCat only, so you need to have an EtherCat Master to connect to it, like a Beckhoff System.

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Another cRIO 903x or 904x chassis with two Ethernet ports, with its secondary Ethernet port configured for EtherCAT, can also take over the EtherCAT master functionality.

https://knowledge.ni.com/KnowledgeArticleDetails?id=kA03q000000YHbbCAG

The 9144 and 9145 only can work as EtherCAT slave.

Another possibility might be the use of the Industrial Communication Toolkit for EtherCAT. However as far as I know that wouldn't support the 9144, only the 9145. And it seems impossible to find an option to buy it in the shop, but as a licensed product, the download alone won't help you. This could be a problem of the website. NI's web shop has been spotty for a long time, but it may also indicate an attempt to deemphasize the toolkit and related support.