Some general questions about using a Desktop PC as real time Target

[RTuser]

Hello,

in future we want to use an real time system to ensure deterministic picture acquisition. We must use an Desktop PC as real time target cause of performance need and FireWire B support.

Before we can use such a system we need to have some further information:

1. Is it possible to use more than one harddisc (no raid) in the real time target and if it's possible how a drive letter can be assigned and can this second drive be accessed by FTP?

2. Are PCI express slots supported by the real time operation system and can they be used in the real time target?

3. Is there a maximum size of the harddisc can be used in the real time target and if there is a maximum size, can this solved by using partitions? And is there a difference between using FAT32 and reliance format?

4. Is it right that LV Real Time 8.5 will support SATA harddiscs if the mainbord (SATA controller) supports the AHCI standard?

I'm looking forward for your respond.

Best regards

RTuser

[dwisti]

Heres some answers, 

You should be able to access other hard disks with FTP like this:

ftp:// IP address /d:/

See this KB entry for more info.

SATA is supported in AHCI mode, see the KB entry for more info.

Reliance is a highly reliable file system created by Datalight.  More info can be found here.  I think the maximun size of FAT32 partition for is 2 GB. I'm pretty sure Reliance is bigger then 2 GB.

Message Edited by dwisti on 08-28-2008 09:32 AM

[RTuser]

Hello dwisti,

Thanks for your reply!

the link to Datalight is very usesfull to get informations of the Reliance file system.

I think if you talk about FAT 32 and a maximum size of 2GB you are talking about the file size and not the maximum drive size, i asked for .-)

The maximum File Size of FAT32 realy is 2GB.

At the moment I'm using an 150GB in a single partition and it works well, but it would interest me if there is a limit.

The most important answer would be,  if an PCI Express port is supported by LabVIEW Real Time, to be able to use an Fire Wire B.PCI express card.

So if s.o. is using an PCI Express port in a Desktop PC RT Target please post it here!

Best regards

RTuser

[abdel2]

I'm not sure about firewire PCI-Express slot, but I purchased a PCI-E (x1) Gigabit ethernet card from NI which is supported by labview real-time. I haven't tested it yet but at least that's what I was told by an NI representitive.