Configuring an SCXI Chassis

To configure an SCXI chassis, complete the following steps:

1. Expand Devices and Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices.

   If you are using a remote RT target, expand Remote Systems, find and expand your target, and expand Devices and Interfaces»NI-DAQmx Devices.

2. Right-click the SCXI chassis you want to configure. Select Properties.
3. The SCXI Chassis Configuration window opens. The Module tab is selected by default. Use the settings on the Modules tab to add and configure your SCXI modules.
4. Click the Chassis tab to see the following configuration settings:

   Chassis Communicator

   Select a detected DAQ device from the Chassis Communicator drop-down list. The selected device controls the SCXI chassis. If only one DAQ device is detected, it is automatically selected. If the DAQ device is not listed, the device cannot control an SCXI chassis.

   Communicating SCXI Module Slot

   Select a slot with a configured SCXI module from the drop-down listbox. The selected module must be connected to the DAQ device selected in Chassis Communicator.

   SCXI Communication Mode (PXI/SCXI combination chassis only)

   Select the desired communication mode from the SCXI Communication Mode drop-down listbox. The selected mode determines how the PXI device controls the SCXI chassis based on the following options:

   • Using Front Connector—The PXI device controls the SCXI chassis through a ribbon cable connection from a PXI front panel port to the SCXI backplane.

   • Using PXI Backplane—The PXI device controls the SCXI chassis through a local bus connection between PXI and SCXI backplanes.

   Chassis ID

   In the Chassis ID selection box, enter a unique alphanumeric name. Use this ID to identify this particular SCXI chassis in applications. MAX rejects any name with invalid characters, such as punctuation.

   Chassis Address

   In the Chassis Address text box, enter the appropriate chassis address setting. The correct chassis jumper settings are shown in the interactive DIP switch graphic in the configuration window. Make sure the software setting matches the actual chassis address setting on the SCXI chassis. You also can click the DIP switches in the graphic to match your existing hardware settings. The chassis address updates automatically to match the DIP switch graphic.

   Note  For the SCXI-1000, SCXI-1000DC, and the SCXI-1001 chassis, the chassis address setting must match the chassis jumper settings. For more information, refer to the SCXI Chassis User Manual.

   Multichassis Daisy-Chain Index

   In the Multichassis Daisy-Chain Index selection box, select the index of the chassis in a multichassis configuration. You can index up to eight SCXI chassis. You can also override this selection in the cabling tab for each module.

   When you select an index value, the daisy-chain index for all modules in the chassis is set to that value. Select Per Module if you override the daisy-chain value in the cabling tab for any module.

5. If you want NI-DAQ to automatically detect the SCXI modules in the chassis, check Auto-Detect All Modules.
6. The message area at the top of the window indicates whether the configuration is valid. Error and warning messages explain what problems to resolve. When the message indicates a valid configuration, click OK.