PXI Platform Services 2023 Q3 for Linux/x86 64-bit Architecture Readme

July 2023

This file contains installation instructions and compatibility information for PXI Platform Services 2023 Q3.

You can find more release information on ni.com.


System Requirements

Installation Instructions

Supported Hardware

Device Configuration

Accessing the Documentation

Linux Limitations


System Requirements

PXI Platform Services software for the Linux/x86 64-bit architecture has been tested on the following distributions:

  • openSUSE Leap 15.4
  • openSUSE Leap 15.3
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
  • Ubuntu 22.04
  • Ubuntu 20.04

PXI Platform Services requires a 64-bit distribution and does not support 32-bit applications.

Installation Instructions

NI provides a repository add-on for all supported drivers that you can install using your Linux distribution's native package manager.

  1. Visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code LinuxRepository.
  2. Download the installer for the repository add-on for your Linux distribution.
  3. Run the command (e.g., rpm, apt, etc.) to install the repository add-on.
  4. Select and install the following PXI Platform Services driver packages through your Linux distribution's package manager:
    • ni-pxiplatformservices
    • ni-pxiplatformservices-labview-<version>-support (LabVIEW support)
    • ni-pxiplatformservices-devel (C and C++ support)

After the driver package(s) are installed, you must rebuild the new packages for the system kernel. NI recommends that you run the command 'dkms autoinstall' after installation, and before rebooting the system, to install the latest revision of all modules that have been installed for other kernel revisions. After doing so, the installed device drivers will function immediately on the next system start.

Updated LabVIEW Compatibility Policy

The

  • ni-pxiplatformservices-labview-support supports applications using PXI Platform Services ​with LabVIEW 2022 or later. When installing PXI Platform Services, this package will be recommended if you have already installed LabVIEW 2022 Q3 or later and installs to the LVAddons directory.

    LVAddons directory location: /usr/local/natinst/share/lvaddons

    Supported Hardware

    Visit NI Hardware and Software Operating System Compatibility to view driver, desktop operating system, and real-time operating system support for individual hardware devices.

    To view information for your device:

    • Select your hardware model in the dropdown list on the page to view compatibility information for your device.
    • Type your hardware model number in the dropdown list on the web page to filter the list of available devices.

    Note: Some compatibility information may only be available in the archive attached to the NI Hardware and Operating System Compatibility page. For historic driver and OS support information, refer to the readme for the relevant driver version.

    Device Configuration

    PXI Platform Services is configured via the nipxiconfig utility installed by the installation script into /usr/bin/nipxiconfig. For a list of commands and other relevant information about the utility, consult the man page: man nipxiconfig.

    Starting with PXI Platform Services 18.1, the format of the alias for all PXI Chassis in the NI System Configuration API has changed. Previously the alias of PXI Chassis 1 would be Chassis 1. Beginning with PXI Platform Services 18.1, the alias is PXIChassis1.

    Accessing the Documentation

    Use a web browser to view PXI Platform Services documentation in the /usr/share/doc/ni-pxiplatformservices directory.

    Linux Limitations

    Some features discussed in PXI Platform Services documentation are unavailable on Linux.

    • PXI Platform Services supports two application development environments:
      • LabVIEW 2019 and later
      • C and C++ (gcc)
    • PXI Platform Services does not support other ADEs, such as the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, LabWindows/CVI, Microsoft Visual C/C++, or Microsoft Visual Basic.
    • While PXI Platform Services includes LabVIEW VIs, it does not provide other graphical utilities that are available for other operating systems:
      • PXI Platform Services does not provide the Measurement and Automation Explorer (MAX) graphical configuration utility that is available for other operating systems.
      • External calibration functions are not supported. Refer to your hardware documentation for information about external calibration, and refer to ni.com/calibration. If your PXI Platform Services requires external calibration, either perform the calibration on a Windows system, or hire NI or an independent calibration laboratory to perform the calibration.