Chapter 1
Introduction and Quick Start
©
National Instruments Corporation
1-3
VXI/VME-PCI8026 Kit Overview
The VXI/VME-PCI8026 interface kits link any computer with a PCI bus
(hereafter referred to as a PCI-based computer) directly to the VXIbus or
VMEbus using the high-speed Multisystem eXtension Interface bus
(MXI-2).
A PCI-based computer equipped with a VXI-PCI8026 interface can
function as a VXI Commander and Resource Manager. A PCI-based
computer equipped with a VME-PCI8026 can function as a VMEbus
master and/or slave device. The VXI/VME-PCI8026 makes your
PCI-based computer behave as if it were plugged directly into the
VXI/VME backplane as an embedded CPU VXI/VME module.
The software included with the kits is for Intel x86-based computers.
What You Need to Get Started
❑
A PCI-based computer running Linux kernel 2.2.x
❑
VXIbus or VMEbus mainframe
❑
PCI-MXI-2 interface board
❑
VXI-MXI-2 or VME-MXI-2 interface module
❑
MXI-2 cable
❑
NI-VXI/VISA software media for the PCI-MXI-2
MXI-2 Description
MXI-2 is the second generation of the National Instruments MXIbus
product line. The MXIbus is a general-purpose, 32-bit, multimaster system
bus on a cable. MXI-2 expands the number of signals on a standard MXI
cable by including VXI triggers, all VXI interrupts, CLK10, and all of the
utility bus signals (SYSFAIL*, SYSRESET*, and ACFAIL*).
Because MXI-2 incorporates all of these new signals into a single
connector, the triggers, interrupts, and utility signals can be extended not
only to other mainframes but also to the local CPU in all MXI-2 products
using a single cable. Thus, MXI-2 lets CPU interface boards such as the
