Connecting to VirtualBench Using Ethernet

Connecting to VirtualBench Using Ethernet

Some models of VirtualBench hardware feature an Ethernet port as an additional connectivity option.

1. Install the VirtualBench application on your computer.
2. Plug in the power cable.
3. Connect the VirtualBench hardware to an Ethernet network or your computer using a shielded straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable. The Ethernet Connectivity LED turns on.

   Note  You can use a shielded straight through Category 5 Ethernet cable or an Ethernet crossover cable to connect the VirtualBench to your computer.

4. Open the VirtualBench application on your computer.
5. Click Search for Device.
6. Select the VirtualBench device and click the Use This Device button.

If you are having trouble connecting to the VirtualBench hardware, try the following tips:

• Confirm that the Ethernet Connectivity LED on the front panel is lit, and the 10/100/1000 and LINK/ACT LEDs on the Ethernet connector on the back panel are lit.
• Ensure that the version of the VirtualBench application installed on your computer supports your VirtualBench. Refer to the What is the Earliest Supported Version of the VirtualBench Application for My VirtualBench? topic for the software version to install on your computer.
• If you cannot see your VirtualBench automatically in the VirtualBench application, this may be because it is on your network but on a different subnet. You can find your VirtualBench by clicking Search for Device and then directly typing the IPv4 address or the VirtualBench name in the Add network device field. The default host name of VirtualBench is VB80xx-<serial number>.
• VirtualBench can also be accessed through a web browser. Type the host name or IPv4 address of the VirtualBench in your web browser. The NI Network Browser, which can show you all the NI configurable hardware on your local subnet, can also be accessed by going to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI Network Browser. The device can be accessed through the web on a host PC that does not have any NI software installed.
• IPv4 configuration can be set to automatically assign via the DHCP server on the host PC. Manually/statically setting the IPv4 address for the host computer may potentially put the VirtualBench on a separate subnet and therefore make it undiscoverable. Microsoft's web site explains how to change the IPv4 configuration in Windows; search for information about changing TCP/IP settings for your Windows version.
• If connecting VirtualBench directly to a host PC, make sure that the computer is either running a DHCP server or the network card is set to obtain an IP address automatically. VirtualBench always looks for a DHCP server first and if one is not available, it will default to a link local IP address. Link local IPv4 addresses are in the following range: 169.254.1.0 to 169.254.254.255 with the subnet mask 255.255.0.0. Setting your computer to have a static IP address, 169.254.X.X, with the subnet mask 255.255.0.0 will ensure that the device and your computer are on the same subnet.
• Connect the VirtualBench hardware to your computer using the USB cable. The VirtualBench application should start automatically. If it does not, refer to Why Doesn't the VirtualBench Application Start Automatically?. In the application, click the wireless icon and select Ethernet. View the network details by selecting Automatic configuration or change the network configuration by selecting Manual configuration and then enter configuration setttings. Click Apply. Close the VirtualBench application and open your computer's network settings and connect to the VirtualBench device. Then disconnect the USB cable and launch the VirtualBench application from your Start menu. Click Search for Device. The VirtualBench should be listed in the Select a device window.
• Disable your computer's firewall to make sure the firewall is not blocking the connection, or make sure your firewall settings allow for the network ports listed in the NI VirtualBench Specifications.
• If using a proxy server, add the address of the VirtualBench to the list of exceptions. This setting can be found in Internet Options.
• Try disabling any antivirus software, it may be interfering with the discovery or configuration process.
• Disable any virtual machine network adapters such as VMware. These adapters can route traffic incorrectly and cause VirtualBench to not be discovered or used.
• If working through the previous tips do not result in finding your VirtualBench, reboot VirtualBench by pressing the reset button as described in the Reset Button topic.

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