NI Embedded Platform Evaluation Kit FAQ

The NI Embedded Platform Evaluation Kit is an effective way for you to evaluate the suite of NI Embedded tools. The kit includes the following evaluation software: LabVIEW for Windows to develop your host code, LabVIEW Real-Time to develop your real-time processor-based applications, and LabVIEW FPGA to create your FPGA and I/O applications. This FAQ provides guidance on how to get started using the evaluation kit and provides some insight into troubleshooting techniques for the kit. The NI Embedded Platform Evaluation Kit is a great way to start exploring the world of embedded systems

NI Embedded Platform Evaluation Kit FAQ

• Using the Included Ethernet Cable
• Using a Cross-over Cable 
• Installing Evaluation Software
• Configuring and Validating the Evaluation Hardware
• Getting Started with LabVIEW Graphical Programming
• Exploring the Tutorials
• Additional Exercises, Tutorials and Training

Using the Included Ethernet Cable

Where should I connect the included Ethernet Cable?

The easiest way to connect to the Embedded Evaluation hardware (also referred to as the target) is via a local network with a DHCP server.  If you're connected to a network in your home or office, there is likely a DHCP server on the network which assigns IP addresses to connected network devices.  

If this describes your network configuration, simply use the included Ethernet cable to connect the target to a router or switch on the same network as your host PC. This will allow the target to receive an IP address from your DHCP server automatically. If this does not describe your network configuration, see the next section.

Using a Cross-over Cable

A network with DHCP is not available to me.  How else can I connect to my evaluation hardware?

If the DHCP connection method described above is not available, you may connect to the evaluation hardware (also referred to as the target) directly. While many Ethernet cards feature Automatic Crossover which makes it possible to achieve this type of connection via a standard Ethernet cable (included), some require a special crossover cable for this (not included). If your PC only has one Ethernet port, this will require disconnecting from whatever network your computer was previously on.

If you are unsure whether your Ethernet card features Automatic Crossover, check your Ethernet card's specifications.  It may be referred to as Automatic MDI/MDI-X, Auto Uplink and Trade, Universal Cable Recognition or Auto Sensing. Or simply try using the included Ethernet cable and see if it works.

Once the evaluation hardware is directly connected to your PC, follow these steps to set it up:

1.  Open Control Panel.
   • Windows XP & Vista default start menu: "Start" > "Control Panel"
   • Windows XP & Vista classic start menu: "Start" > "Settings" > "Control Panel"
2. View Network Connections.
   • Windows XP category view: "Network & Internet Connections" > "Network Connections"
   • Windows XP classic view: "Network Connections"
   • Windows Vista default view: "View network status and tasks" (under "Network and Internet")
   • Windows Vista classic view: "Network and Sharing Center"
3. Open Local Area Connection Properties.
   • Windows XP: Right-click "Local Area Connection" and select "Properties"
   • Windows Vista: Select "View Status" next to "Local Area Connection," then select "Properties"
4. Open Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
   • Windows XP: Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" from the list, then select "Properties"
   • Windows Vista: Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" from the list, then select "Properties"
     Note: if configuration fails with this selection, you may need to configure "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)."
5. Configure Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
   • Windows XP & Vista: Select "Use the following IP address:" and enter the following values (leave the rest blank):
     IP address: 192.168.0.1
     Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
6. Select OK and close the Local Area Connection Properties window.
7. On the evaluation hardware, locate the mode switches on the edge of the large board (they are positioned between a serial port and a small button).  Configure the switches so that all are OFF/up except for switch 3 (ON/down).
8. Press the reset button (located next to the switches on the edge of the large board). Wait several seconds while the target reboots.
9. Restore the mode switches to their normal positions (all are OFF/up).
10. Continue the installation process outlined here and in the printed step-by-step guide in your kit.  While using the National Instruments Embedded Evaluation Setup utility, on Step 4 you should be prompted to configure the target's network settings. In the Manual section, leave the default values and select Manual IP.
11. The target should now have an acceptable IP address.

Installing Evaluation Software

What will be installed when I run the DVD installer?

The Embedded Evaluation DVD will install extended evaluations of National Instruments LabVIEW, LabVIEW FPGA and LabVIEW Real-Time, a setup utility for configuring the evaluation hardware, and a folder of tutorials. 

What else is on the DVD?

In addition to the installer, the Embedded Evaluation DVD contains a backup of the target restore image, tutorials, and additional getting started resources. This backup is located in the Embedded Evaluation folder on your DVD. These files are automatically copied to your computer when you run the DVD installer, but are accessible on the DVD if you ever need to restore your files.

I already have licensed version(s) of LabVIEW on my computer. Will this installer conflict with my licenses?

The evaluation licenses included in this installer should not override existing licenses unless they are evaluation licenses of a shorter duration. In other words, if you have activated versions of National Instruments software, they should not be affected by installing this kit. If you already have evaluation licenses of National Instruments software with a shorter duration, they will be extended by this installer.

My evaluation software has expired. How do I activate it so I can continue using it?

The Embedded Evaluation DVD is for evaluation purposes only and cannot be activated. If you are satisfied with the software and would like to continue using it, please contact a National Instruments sales representative, or visit ni.com to find the product right for you.

Configuring and Validating the Evaluation Hardware

I've installed the Embedded Evaluation software. Now what?

After installing the Embedded Evaluation software, reboot your computer. After the reboot, a program titled National Instruments Embedded Evaluation Setup should automatically launch. This program will help you verify that the evaluation hardware (also referred to as the target) is set up correctly and is ready to be used in the tutorials. Use the Next button to go through all five steps of the setup program.

If this program does not appear automatically after the first reboot, you should be able to launch it by selecting Start > All Programs > National Instruments > Embedded Evaluation > Setup Utility.

Note: Your firewall software may prompt you to block or unblock this program from communicating with the target. Select unblock at these prompts.

I've scanned for devices, but my Evaluation Hardware doesn't appear. What's wrong?

First, check the troubleshooting tips included in the setup utility. If these do not resolve your problem, there may be something wrong with your hardware or network. One way to troubleshoot is to read the console output of your target.

To do this, connect a serial cable (not included in your kit) between the serial port on the target (located next to the Ethernet jack) and your host computer. Now, locate the row of switches next to the target's serial port. Turn switch 2 to the ON/down position. Finally, use a program such as Tera Term Pro to read the serial I/O in a terminal window. (You may need to reboot the target before you see anything since there is typically no console output once the target has finished booting.)

If you continue to have problems, please contact National Instruments for support.

I'm being prompted to configure my target's network settings. What should I choose?

Before testing the configuration, the program may need to configure the target's network settings and/or install LabVIEW software to the target.  If the target does not have a valid IP address, you will be prompted to configure the target's network settings. You should see two options, one automatic and one manual. In most cases, you will want to select the automatic option. This is for targets connected to the host PC through a network router or switch with IP addresses assigned by a DHCP server.  If you're not sure what type of network you have, try this option first. In some situations, however, the target may be directly connected to the host PC with a crossover Ethernet connection (described above). In this situation, the automatic option will not work and you will instead need to manually assign an IP address. If you configured it as described above, you should be able to just select Manual IP with the default values.  Otherwise, follow the tips in the setup program to determine the appropriate settings.

My target is detected, but it tells me that "Installing Target Software failed."

Failure to install software to a detected target may be due to the target having an IP address on a different subnet. The last step on the Hardware Detection troubleshooting page explains how to manually clear your IP address so that you can reconfigure it with the utility. These steps are as follows (mode switches are located on the edge of the board, next to the serial port near the Ethernet port):

1. Set the target mode switches to IP Reset Mode (Mode switch 3 should be ON/down).
2. Reset the target and wait several seconds (reset button is located next to the mode switches).
3. Set the target mode switches to Normal Mode (All switches should be OFF/up).

After doing this, wait a few moments for your target to finish booting and select Rescan for Targets on the Hardware Detection page. Your target should appear (again), but this time you should be prompted to configure its network settings. If this succeeds, the setup utility should now be able to communicate with your target.

The setup program gets to the Hardware Test step, but it shows a Deployment Failed error.

If the target is not configured correctly, deployment will fail and you should see a troubleshooting screen. If there do not seem to be any problems with the hardware connections and settings, the target software may have somehow become corrupt. To perform a system restore on the target, note the warnings in the setup program and select Restore Target System. This will reformat the target, prompt you to configure the target's IP address (see above), and then re-image the target. This process may take several minutes. Once this completes, the program should attempt to test the target again.

If this fails, try manually resetting the target's IP address as explained in the previous answer. Then retry restoring the target.

The setup program says that "Deployment Finished," but I do not see any LEDs blinking. 

The small board on the target may be improperly connected.  Look closely at where these two boards connect and ensure that they are fitting together and that the small board is securely attached (there should be no more than 1-2 mm of visible pins between the connectors). If it is obviously connected correctly, it may be defective. Please contact National Instruments for help.

I select Launch Video, but nothing happens.

You will need Adobe Flash 8.0 or above to play the video. You can download it here. 

If you already have Flash installed, it is possible that the video file is not in the right location. You should be able to run the video manually by selecting Start > All Programs > National Instruments > Embedded Evaluation > Introductory Video. This file is also located on the Embedded Evaluation DVD under Embedded Evaluation > Tutorials > Additional Resources.

If you'd prefer to skip the video, the program should advance to the final page after a few seconds (this delay is to give the video time to launch before going to the final page).  

The video player launches and audio plays, but I see no video.

This is a known issue that occurs on rare occasions. You may try playing the video directly off of the DVD (Embedded Evaluation > Tutorials > Additional Resources) on another computer, or simply go straight to the tutorials which should provide similar introductory information if you need it.

I have received an "Unhandled Error." What do I do now?

If for some reason you encounter an Unhandled Error Detected screen, there is probably something wrong with your configuration. First, retry the operation that failed. If this still causes an error, here are some troubleshooting tips. If none of these succeed in fixing the problem, please contact National Instruments for support.

• Ensure that the target is powered on (one of the four LEDs on the edge of the main board should be on) and located on the same subnetwork as the host PC.
• Press the reset button (next to the box of dip switches on the main board). Wait a minute for the target to boot before trying the operation again.
• Check to see that the LEDs in the Ethernet jack are on or blinking. If they are not, ensure that the cable is fully connected at both ends, the Ethernet switch or router is powered on, and that the cable itself is not faulty (may need to try another cable to verify this).
• A firewall may be blocking communication with the target. Try temporarily reconfiguring or turning off your firewall to see if this fixes the problem. Warning: Leaving your computer in this state may make it vulnerable to attack. When you are finished troubleshooting, remember to restore the original firewall settings.
• If the operation you were attempting was a system restore, the target image may be missing or corrupt. Find the folder "Embedded Evaluation/TargetImage" on the install DVD and copy the contents to the same location within the Embedded Evaluation folder on your computer (you can find this folder in the start menu by selecting All Programs > National Instruments > Embedded Evaluation > Tutorials Folder and going up one level).  Then try the restore operation again.
• If you'd like to debug further yourself, it may be helpful to read the console output of the real-time operating system running on the target. To do this, connect a serial cable (not included in your kit) between the serial port on the target (located next to the Ethernet jack) and your host computer. Now, locate the row of switches next to the target's serial port. Turn switch 2 to the ON/down position. Finally, use a program such as Tera Term Pro to read the serial I/O in a terminal window. (You may need to reboot the target before you see anything since there is typically no console output once the target has finished booting.)

Getting Started with LabVIEW Graphical Programming

Exploring the Tutorials

Additional Exercises, Tutorials and Training

Reader Comments | Submit a comment »