Managing System Hardware
- Updated2024-10-11
- 5 minute(s) read
Managing System Hardware
This section describes how to manage your systems and devices in Hardware Configuration Utility.
Hardware Detection Types
The System Pane displays how devices are connected within your system. Refer to the following table for information about the different connection methods available in Hardware Configuration Utility.
Hardware Detection Type | Icon | Behavior | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Auto-discovered |
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A device connected to your computer with a USB cable that is recognized by the driver and automatically appears in the System Pane. |
Manually identified |
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A device connected to your system via a local network.
Note This is the typical
connection method required for ethernet and GPIB devices.
|
User declared |
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A temperature sensor connected to one of your devices. Note This is the typical connection method for accessories.
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- For information on adding devices that are not automatically detected by Hardware Configuration Utility, refer to Manually Adding Hardware.
- For information on adding simulated devices to a system, refer to Simulating System Hardware.
Manually Adding Hardware
Follow the instructions below to add hardware devices that do not automatically appear in the Hardware Configuration UtilitySystem Pane.
- Click the Add Hardware button in the System Pane toolbar.
-
Choose from the following device types to add your missing hardware device:
Missing Device Type Action Needed Local Network Resources Select the resource from the list in the Discovered Hardware tab and click Add. Device with known IP address or hostname Click the Add hardware by address tab and enter the device IP address or hostname, then click Connect. - If the device requires login credentials, enter them.
Check to see that the device has been added to the System Pane. You may need to restart the Hardware Configuration Utility in order for certain changes like installing a device driver to take effect.
Simulating System Hardware
You can add simulated hardware to a system in Hardware Configuration Utility. Use simulated devices as placeholders for devices that are currently unavailable or undergoing maintenance, or devices you plan to later acquire and integrate into a system.
- Click the Add Hardware button in the System Pane toolbar.
- Click the Simulated tab.
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Select the device you want to simulate from the list. Use the
Filter to search for a device.
Note You must install the required driver for the selected device before you can add it to your system. The details for the required driver are shown in this window.Note Some devices require a specific parent device, such as a chassis, to be present in the system. This device must be present in the system before proceeding.
- Select the system to add the hardware to using the Connected To dropdown.
-
Click Add to add the simulated device.
The device appears in the System Pane, displaying Simulated as the device serial number.
Adding a Remote Real-Time System
Complete the following steps to connect to a remote RT system.
- Click Add Hardware... .
- Select the remote RT system from the list of Discovered hardware, or click the By Address tab and add it manually using the hostname or IP address.
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(Optional) If the remote RT system is password-protected, enter your admin
credentials when prompted.
Note Actions such as Manage Software and Format Disk require password authentication. If you skip this step when adding a password-protected system, you will be prompted to enter them when attempting to perform these actions.Once you enter your credentials, the user name will be visible in the System pane toolbar.
Refer to Manually Adding Hardware for additional information on this process.
To remove a remote RT system from Hardware Configuration Utility, click the Remove button in the System pane toolbar.
Troubleshooting Device Discovery
Remote System Discovery Wizard
To troubleshoot undiscovered hardware, click Add Hardware and then click Troubleshoot.
Complete the steps in the dialog to connect to the remote system.
Additional
Troubleshooting
Ensure your device is supported on your operating system, and ensure the necessary drivers are installed. Refer to NI Hardware and Software Operating System Compatibility for more information.
lsni -vThis command displays discovered System Configuration API Experts, as well as any hardware resources discovered, which includes the resource hostname, primary expert, model name, serial number, and IP address if applicable.