How to control a PXI chassis with Ethernet.

[hendra@ngms]

I need to implement a rackmount DAS chassis with a bunch of standard signal conditioning, PXI DAQ kinds of modules, a freq counter, and a waveform generator.  I want to write a CVI application to run on an external computer and control the PXI hardware via NI-DAQmx and Ethernet.  What do I need to plug into a PXI slot(s) to do the Ethernet interface?  This is a simple, slow system that does not need MXI.

[ZYOng]

MXI is easier as you can control and retrieve data from the modules directly from the computer.

If you are using a Windows PXI controller, the easiest way for remote control from external computer is Remote Desktop Connection.

If you want to write a CVI program that runs on the external computer and control PXI controller remotely, you need to first write a server standalone program for the PXI controller, then a client program on the external computer.

You can use NI gRPC Device Server and Client APIs. See How to use gRPC with NI Software and Hardware

[hendra@ngms]

Sounds way too complicated.  

If I wanted to control a PXI (PXIe) chassis from a laptop, is there an MXI dongle?

Or, does the USB C port on my laptop provide what is necessary for the Thunderbolt interface to PXI?

[Captain_K]

If your USB C port on the laptop is a Thunderbolt port, you can connect to a PXIe-8301. The PXIe-8301 is a Thunderbolt Remote controller module that would go into slot 1 of the PXIe chassis.

Not all USB C ports are Thunderbolt ports, so you'll need to verify that. 

Can I Use My NI PXIe Thunderbolt™ Remote Controller With A USB-C Interface?

[santo_13]

Do you intended to have an embedded PXI controller or without it?

if without, then, you need some sort of MXI connection, such as the old style cards or if you got PXIe, then 8301 thunderbolt card.