©
National Instruments Corporation
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Introduction
This chapter describes your VXI-8340 series interface kit, lists what you
need to get started, and includes a brief description of the hardware and
software. This manual uses the term
VXI-8340 series
when information
applies to both the VXI-8340 and VXI-8345.
The VXI-8340 series interface kit links a PCI-based computer to the
VXIbus using the high-speed Multisystem eXtension Interface (MXI-3)
bus. This interface makes your computer function as if it were plugged
directly into the VXI backplane, giving your external computer the
capability of an embedded computer.
Your kit contains a National Instruments VXI-8340 series interface
module, which plugs into your VXI mainframe. It may also include a
MXI-3 cable and a PCI-8330 series interface module, which plugs into
your PCI-based computer. This manual uses the term
PCI-8330 series
when information applies to both the PCI-8330 and PCI-8335.
Your kit includes the NI-VISA and NI-VXI bus interface software,
which is fully VXI
plug&play
compliant. NI-VISA and NI-VXI are the
National Instruments implementation of the VISA I/O software standard
on which all VXI
plug&play
software components are based. This manual
uses the term
NI-VISA/NI-VXI
when software information applies to both
NI-VISA and NI-VXI, and the term
Windows
when information applies to
Windows 2000/NT/Me/98. (The VXI-8340 series is not compatible with
Windows 95.)
What You Need to Get Started
❑
A PCI-based computer running Windows
❑
VXIbus mainframe
❑
VXI-8340 series interface module
❑
PCI-8330 series interface module (not included in VXI-8340 series
module-only kits)