National Instruments VXI-USB User Manual

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© National Instruments Corporation
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Introduction
This chapter describes your VXI-USB interface kit, lists what you need to 
get started, and includes a brief description of the hardware and software. 
The VXI-USB interface kit links a PC-based computer to the VXIbus using 
the Universal Serial Bus (USB). This kit makes your computer perform as 
if it were plugged directly into the VXI backplane, giving your external 
computer the capability of an embedded computer. USB 2.0 features hot 
plug-in capability under Windows, which means you can add and configure 
USB devices without powering down your system. Your kit contains a 
National Instruments VXI-USB interface module, which plugs into your 
VXI mainframe and links your computer to the VXIbus. Your kit includes 
the NI-VXI/NI-VISA bus interface software, which is fully VXIplug&play 
compliant. NI-VXI/NI-VISA is the National Instruments implementation 
of the VISA I/O software standard on which all VXIplug&play software 
components are based.
What You Need to Get Started
To set up and use the VXI-USB interface kit, you need the following items:
Computer running the Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating 
system, with a USB 2.0 port or plug-in card (USB 2.0 plug-in cards 
may not have the same level of performance as an integrated USB 2.0 
port)
VXIbus mainframe
VXI-USB interface module that plugs directly into a VXI mainframe
USB 2.0-compliant cable
National Instruments software CD
This manual