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Set Up Your MXI -Express x4 
for PXI Express System

This document explains how to set up your PXI Express MXI system.

What You Need to Get Started

To set up and use your PXI Express MXI system, you need the following:

One NI PCIe-8371/8372 and one NI PXIe-8370

A MXI-Express x4 cable

A host PC with an available x4 (or wider) PCI Express slot

Note 

Using a PCI Express slot wider than x4 may result in negotiation down to x1 width, 

and therefore limiting bandwidth.

An expansion chassis—the PXI Express/CompactPCI Express chassis 
that you control with MXI-Express

Note 

Your PXI Express MXI card will work in any standard CompactPCI Express chassis 

adhering to the 

PICMG CompactPCI Express EXP.0 R1.0 

specification, or in PXI Express 

chassis that are compatible with the 

PXI Express Hardware Specification

, Revision 1.0 

or later. Your PCI Express MXI-Express card will work in systems compliant with the 

 

PCI Express Base Specification

, Revision 1.0a and 

PCI Express Card Electromechanical 

Specification

, Revision 1.0a or later.

Note 

For full PXI or PXI Express functionality, refer to the 

Software Overview

 section in 

the 

MXI-Express x4 for PXI Express Series User Manual

.

Unpacking

Your PXI Express MXI cards are shipped in antistatic packages to prevent 
electrostatic damage (ESD) to the devices. ESD can damage several 
components on the device.

Summary of Contents for MXI Express x4

Page 1: ...ur PXI Express MXI card will work in any standard CompactPCI Express chassis adhering to the PICMG CompactPCI Express EXP 0 R1 0 specification or in PXI Express chassis that are compatible with the PXI Express Hardware Specification Revision 1 0 or later Your PCI Express MXI Express card will work in systems compliant with the PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1 0a and PCI Express Card Elect...

Page 2: ...XI Express x4 will be recognized as a collection of PCI to PCI bridges It should automatically have CompactPCI support without any additional software For full PXI PXI Express functionality install the PXI Platform Services software included with your kit Note The PXI Platform Services software on the PXI Platform Services CD or NI driver CD included with your kit is required to provide additional...

Page 3: ...othes or body 4 Unplug the computer and wait 30 seconds to allow the energy stored in the computer s power supply to fully dissipate 5 Select any available PCI Express expansion slot x4 or wider Note Using a PCI Express slot wider than x4 may result in negotiation down to x1 width which will reduce throughput performance Note The BIOS or motherboard may not support the NI PCIe 8371 8372 in a slot ...

Page 4: ...the standard height front bracket already installed on your NI PCIe 8371 card by removing the two 4 40 3 16 inch Phillips head screws that attach the bracket to the card Note that the two mounting tabs for the standard height bracket rest against the front side of the card which is the side upon which the cable receptacle connector housing rests Set the two screws aside to re use when installing t...

Page 5: ...il you finish installing the NI PXIe 8370 3 Remove or open any doors or covers blocking access to the slot in which you intend to install the NI PXIe 8370 4 Touch a metal part of the chassis to discharge any static electricity that might be on your clothes or body 5 Make sure the injector ejector handle is in its downward position Be sure to remove all connector packaging and protective caps from ...

Page 6: ...e cables have no polarity so either end may be connected to either card Caution Do not remove the cable after the system is powered on Doing so can hang or cause errors in applications communicating with devices behind MXI Express If a cable becomes unplugged plug it back into the system You must reboot before you can continue using your hardware Note For more information about cables refer to the...

Page 7: ...s on the NI PCIe 8371 NI PCIe 8372 and NI PXIe 8370 where applicable A properly connected and powered up system should report a valid link and power status on all of these boards once the host PC is powered on Refer to the LED Indicators section in the MXI Express x4 for PXI Express Series User Manual for more information Powering Down the MXI Express x4 System Because operating systems and driver...

Page 8: ...s Color Meaning Off Power is off Red blinking Power is out of spec Amber Power is within spec no link to chassis Green Power is within spec link established Table 2 NI PCIe 8372 Status LED Messages Color Meaning Off Power is off Red Power is out of spec Amber Power is within spec no link to chassis Green Power is within spec link established Table 3 NI PXIe 8370 Status LED Messages LED Color Meani...

Page 9: ...rd such as the NI PXIe 1062 the LEDs to that slot will not illuminate until you have a PXI Express board installed and linked If you are using the NI PXIe 1062 chassis you will notice that the last group of LEDs has an LED PORT 3 illuminated even if no boards are populated in the slots Since the NI PXIe 1062 uses the last link for a PCI Express to PCI bridge for PXI communication this link should ...

Page 10: ...truments trademarks Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies For patents covering National Instruments products technology refer to the appropriate location Help Patents in your software the patents txt file on your media or the National Instruments Patent Notice at ni com patents 2006 2010 National Instruments Corporation All rig...

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