Print
PDFOverview
NI Real-Time Hypervisor software uses virtualization technology to run both LabVIEW Real-Time and Windows XP simultaneously on just one controller. By taking advantage of the NI Real-Time Hypervisor in your application, you can save money on hardware and build consolidated systems that pack more capability into less physical footprint.
Introduction
Each engineering application has its own unique requirements. Some systems need precise timing and hard real-time performance, while others may require general-purpose OS capabilities like rich user interface graphics. Many advanced applications even make use of more than one operating system to perform the task at hand.
While running multiple operating systems in a design has traditionally meant using more than one set of computing hardware, NI Real-Time Hypervisor software enables engineers to consolidate systems by running both LabVIEW Real-Time and Windows XP on a single controller. In addition, the Real-Time Hypervisor is specially designed to maintain the determinism of LabVIEW Real-Time programs. Below are just some of the reasons to consider the NI Real-Time Hypervisor for your next application:
|
Reduce Cost and Physical Footprint Multi-OS systems that make use of multiple computers often result in inefficiency. By using the NI Real-Time Hypervisor, you can lower hardware costs while reducing the amount of physical space that your system requires. This is especially important in deployed applications, or in locations where floor space is at a premium. |
|
|
Partition I/O Devices and RAM Quickly Using the built in Real-Time Hypervisor Manager utility, you can partition each of your I/O devices to either Windows XP or LabVIEW Real-Time according to a number of supported configurations. You can also do the same with system RAM. Partitioning I/O between operating systems helps to maximize performance while allowing you to use standard NI device drivers in your LabVIEW applications. |
 |
|
Share Data Between OSs The NI Real-Time Hypervisor introduces a virtual Ethernet connection between instances of LabVIEW Real-Time and Windows XP running on the same controller. Configurable and accessible just like a physical Ethernet interface, this connection is implemented in system memory and enables seamless porting of applications written for traditional (multi-computer) real-time systems. You can use the virtual Ethernet connection to share data using standard methods like TCP/IP and Shared Variables. |
 |
|
Make Better Use of Your Multicore Hardware With the number of processor cores on a chip quickly increasing, engineers and scientists must use new techniques to make the most of this hardware. While using parallel programming languages like NI LabVIEW is one important step, combining multiple operating systems onto one multicore processor also provides an effective solution. The NI Real-Time Hypervisor works on select dual and quad-core PXI and Industrial Controllers, and partitions processor cores between OSs. Specifically, one core is assigned to Windows XP, and the remainder of cores are assigned to LabVIEW Real-Time. |
 |
|
Get Up and Running Faster PXI and Industrial Controller systems ship pre-configured when ordered with the NI Real-Time Hypervisor. This means that all necessary OS and hypervisor software will be installed, and your desired I/O-to-OS assignments will be confirmed before shipping. By ordering a Real-Time Hypervisor system through the online PXI Advisor, you can get your multi-OS system up and running in less time out of the box. |
 |
For in-depth information on the NI Real-Time Hypervisor, visit the white paper:
>> NI Real-Time Hypervisor Architecture and Performance Details
Reader Comments | Submit a comment »
Legal
This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).