Managing System Configurations

Hardware Configuration Utility configuration files (.nihwcfg) store information about your system such as device settings and the organization of devices within a system.

Configuration files enable you to save or apply settings across your system. For example, you can use an exported configuration file to quickly apply configurations used on one system to a duplicate system within your test environment, or recall a unique configuration after resetting a system. You can also create configurations using simulated devices to prepare for new devices that will later be added to your system.

Refer to the following sections for information on creating and using configuration files.

Applying Configurations to Your System

Importing a configuration file enables you to apply system-wide configuration settings, including required hardware and software components, to your system.

Before applying a system configuration, make sure your system is powered on, all configurable devices are connected, and all device drivers are installed.
Note To quickly import a saved configuration, double-click an existing hardware configuration file (.nihwcfg) in your system file browser. Refer to the final steps below to adjust import settings.
Note Hardware Configuration Utility does not support other NI configuration file types (.nce or .ini). You must use a Hardware Configuration Utility configuration file (.nihwcfg) to import configurations.
  1. Select the system you want to apply a configuration to in the System pane.
  2. Select File » Import in the main menu.
    Hardware Configuration Utility opens the Import Configuration dialog.
  3. Use the Enter a location and file name for your configuration data field to select a configuration file. Click the adjacent button to open a file browser and select the file.
  4. Click Import.
    Hardware Configuration Utility opens a Hardware Configuration dialog.
  5. Use the Apply to column in the dialog table to choose how to apply configuration settings to devices within your system. Click the dropdown for each row to view your options. Refer to the following table for information on available choices.
    Configuration optionAction taken
    [Discovered Device] Applies the configuration to the discovered system device.
    Note Hardware Configuration Utility automatically finds matching hardware on your system. If you want to override the default matched hardware, the dropdown displays other available devices to which you can apply configurations.
    Omit configuration Skips the configuration for this device, and does not apply it to any device within your system.
    Simulate Applies the configuration data to a new simulated device within your system.
    Add Hardware... Opens Add Hardware dialog. Select a network device to apply this configuration to.
  6. (Windows Only) If there are additional configuration settings in the file, you will see a checkbox title Import the following additional configurations to import them. Enable this option to apply additional configuration settings commonly used in NI Measurement and Automation Explorer (NI MAX) such as IVI driver logical names and driver sessions.
  7. Click Apply to apply the selected configuration settings to your system.

Hardware Configuration Utility opens a report dialog showing the results of the configuration import. Select Save report on close to save this report.

If Hardware Configuration Utility is not able to import a configuration, a detailed error report opens. Check the report for possible causes. If you identify devices that are the source of import errors, restart this process and select Omit Configuration for those devices in the Hardware Configuration dialog.

To save system configurations, refer to Saving System Configurations.

Saving System Configurations

Exporting a configuration file enables you to save all selected system settings. Complete the following steps to create an export of your system configuration.

Before saving a system configuration, make sure your system is powered on, and all configurable devices are connected.
Note Hardware Configuration Utility does not support exporting other NI configuration file types (.nce or .ini).
  1. Select the system you want to create a configuration file for in the System pane.
  2. Select File » Export in the main menu.
    Hardware Configuration Utility opens an Export Configuration dialog.
  3. Use the Enter a location and file name for your configuration data field to select a name and save location for the configuration file. Click the adjacent button to open a file browser.
  4. Click Create to proceed.
    Hardware Configuration Utility opens a Select Hardware Configuration dialog.
  5. Use the checkboxes to select which devices to include in the configuration file. Click Select all to include all detected system devices in the export.
  6. Optional: (Windows Only) If there are additional configuration settings in your system, you can select these under the MAX section in this dialog.
  7. Click OK to save the selected configuration settings to the specified save location.
To apply saved configurations to a system, refer to Applying Configurations to Your System.

Resetting Configuration Data

Device configurations are stored on a local device database. Resetting the device database returns device configurations to default settings, and resets device configuration data stored in Hardware Configuration Utility.

Resetting the device database is recommended when Hardware Configuration Utility fails to launch, especially if this occurs following a sudden power loss or a system crash. Resetting the database is also recommended if you want to clear your local device configurations to restore default settings. Complete the following steps to reset the device database.

  1. Select Tools » Reset Configuration Data.
  2. Follow the prompts in the dialog or terminal that opens. On Linux, you may need to enter your superuser password.
  3. Reboot your system when prompted.
Once you have rebooted your system, re-launch the Hardware Configuration Utility to verify that the device configuration database reset was successful.
Note If you are unable to launch the Hardware Configuration Utility to perform a configuration data reset, follow the instructions in Resetting Configuration Data with the Reset Configuration Utility.

Resetting Configuration Data with the Reset Configuration Utility

Follow the steps below to reset your device database using the standalone Reset Configuration application.

Use the Reset Configuration application when you are unable to open the Hardware Configuration Utility.
  1. Choose from the following based on your operating system.
    • Windows
      1. Navigate to C:\Program Files(x86)\National Instruments\Shared\Reset NI Config\ResetNIConfig.exe .
      2. Launch the ResetNIConfig.exe executable.
      3. Follow the instructions in the launched dialog.
    • Linux
      1. Enter the following command using superuser permissions in an open terminal.
        /usr/sbin/resetniconfig
  2. Reboot your system.
Once you reboot your system, re-launch the Hardware Configuration Utility to verify that the device configuration database reset was successful.