Configuring an SCXI Switch

Configure SCXI switch modules in MAX under the API you are using to control the module—NI-DAQmx and/or Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy).

Your SCXI switch and your switch controller determine your MAX configuration options. For example, the NI 4021 can control a switch module configured under NI-DAQmx Devices or Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Devices. The NI 4060 can control only SCXI switch modules configured under Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Devices. Refer to the following table to determine your MAX configuration options.

NI-DAQmx

Refer to the NI Switches Getting Started Guide for information about configuring an SCXI switch using NI-DAQmx.

Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy)

If you are using Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy), complete the following steps to configure the SCXI chassis and switch module.

1. Power on the chassis.
2. Right-click Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Devices in the configuration tree, and select Add SCXI Chassis. The Add SCXI Device dialog box opens.
3. Select SCXI Chassis, and click Next. The Select SCXI Chassis dialog box opens.
4. Select the type of chassis you want to add, and click Next. The Chassis Configuration dialog box opens.
5. Select an ID to identify the chassis in your application. The ID can be any integer between 1 and 3,200.
6. Enter the chassis address setting. Ensure that the setting you enter matches the address setting on the SCXI chassis, and click Next. The SCXI Auto-Detect dialog box opens.
7. Enable the auto-detect to auto-detect installed SCXI switch modules, and click Next. The Select SCXI Communication Path dialog box opens.
8. Select the controller that acts as the communication path between the chassis and the computer, and click Next. The SCXI Auto-Detection Results dialog box opens.
9. Select the switch module that is cabled to the switch controller, and click Finish to accept the settings. If the chassis has only one communication device, this device is selected as the communication device by default.
10. Select the chassis from Devices and Interfaces»Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Devices.
11. Right-click a module slot, and select Properties.
12. The SCXI Configuration dialog box opens. The General tab is selected by default. Select the controller connected to the module from the Connected to listbox. Select the checkbox if the DAQ device controls the chassis.
13. Select the Accessory tab (if available). Select the terminal block connected to the switch module from the Accessory listbox.
14. Click OK to accept the settings.