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National Instruments Corporation
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Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 for PXI Express User Manual
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Common Questions
This appendix lists common questions related to the use of the Fiber-Optic
MXI-Express x4 controllers.
General Hardware
What are the board names of the MXI-Express x4 remote controllers?
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NI PCIe-8375: PCI Express Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 interface
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NI PXIe-8375: PXI Express Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 interface
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NI PCIe-8371/72: PCI Express Copper MXI-Express x4 interface
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NI PXIe-8370: PXI Express Copper MXI-Express x4 interface
How many PCI bus segments can I connect together with Fiber-Optic
MXI-Express x4?
The PCI specification allows up to 255 bus segments. Fiber-Optic
MXI-Express x4 does not limit this number, but the maximum number of
bus segments allowed can be BIOS or operating system dependent. Also, a
computer will already have several PCI bus segments internally, and the
Fiber-Optic MXI-Express x4 link also has multiple PCI buses internally.
Every PCI Express device has at least 1 bus segment, though it will have
more if it includes a bridge or switch.
What does the “BIOS Compat Mode” switch on the PCIe-8375 do?
The larger PCI hierarchies created by MXI-Express products pose a
problem to some computer BIOS systems. These problems can often be
resolved by setting the BIOS Compat Mode switch ON and installing a
software patch available from National Instruments. Please contact
National Instruments technical support for more information if you are
having trouble with your MXI Express system.