Network and Remote Operation
R&S
®
FSPN
246
User Manual 1179.4363.02 ─ 01
TCP/IP ensures connection-oriented communication, where the order of the
exchanged messages is adhered to and interrupted links are identified. With this proto-
col, messages cannot be lost.
HiSLIP Protocol
The High Speed LAN Instrument Protocol (HiSLIP) is the successor protocol for VXI-11
for TCP-based instruments specified by the IVI foundation. The protocol uses two TCP
sockets for a single connection - one for fast data transfer, the other for non-sequential
control commands (e.g.
Device Clear
or
SRQ
).
HiSLIP has the following characteristics:
●
High performance as with raw socket network connections
●
Compatible IEEE 488.2 support for Message Exchange Protocol, Device Clear,
Serial Poll, Remote/Local, Trigger, and Service Request
●
Uses a single IANA registered port (4880), which simplifies the configuration of fire-
walls
●
Supports simultaneous access of multiple users by providing versatile locking
mechanisms
●
Usable for IPv6 or IPv4 networks
Using VXI-11, each operation is blocked until a VXI-11 instrument handshake returns.
However, using HiSLIP, data is sent to the instrument using the "fire and forget"
method with immediate return. Thus, a successful return of a VISA operation such as
viWrite()
guarantees only that the command is delivered to the instrument's TCP/IP
buffers. There is no confirmation, that the instrument has started or finished the
requested command.
For more information see also the application note:
1MA208: Fast Remote Instrument Control with HiSLIP
Socket Communication
An alternative way for remote control of the product is to establish a simple network
communication using sockets. The socket communication, also referred to as "Raw
Ethernet communication", does not necessarily require a VISA installation on the
remote controller side. It is available by default on all operating systems.
The simplest way to establish socket communication is to use the built-in telnet pro-
gram. The telnet program is part of every operating system and supports a communi-
cation with the software on a command-by-command basis. For more convenience and
to enable automation by programs, user-defined sockets can be programmed.
Socket connections are established on a specially defined port. The socket address is
a combination of the IP address or the host name of the instrument and the number of
the port configured for remote-control. Typically, the products of Rohde
&
Schwarz use
port number 5025 for this purpose. The port is configured for communication on a com-
mand-to-command basis and for remote control from a program.
Remote Control Basics
