Connecting to the Virtual RT Console

The NI ETS real-time operating system and the NI Real-Time Hypervisor output messages to the RT console. The NI Real-Time Hypervisor uses the COM4 serial port for the virtual RT console connection.

You can use the virtual RT console to view the following information:

• The IP address of the RT target
• The primary network interface used by the RT target
• Error and warning messages

Configuring the Virtual Console

Complete the following steps to configure the virtual console from Windows.

1. Install the COM4 serial port driver.
   1. Right-click My Computer in the Start menu and select Properties to display the System Properties dialog box.
   2. Click the Hardware tab to display the Hardware page.
   3. Click the Device Manager button to display the Device Manager dialog box.
   4. Expand the Other devices item in the device tree.
   5. Right-click the COM4 item and select Update Driver to display the Hardware Update Wizard.
   6. Select No, not this time and then click the Next button to continue.
   7. Select Install the software automatically (Recommended) to find and install the COM4 driver.
   8. Click the Finish button to complete the installation.
2. (Optional) Configure the NI ETS real-time OS to wait for input from the virtual console before booting. Use this option to ensure that you do not miss information sent to the console early in the boot process.
   1. Select Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI Real-Time Hypervisor»NI Real-Time Hypervisor Manager to launch the NI Real-Time Hypervisor Manager.
   2. Select Tools»Options to display the Options dialog box.
   3. Place a checkmark in the Wait for virtual console on boot? checkbox.

Viewing the Virtual Console

Complete the following steps to view the virtual console using the HyperTerminal software built into Windows XP.

1. Select Start»All Programs»Accessories»Communications»HyperTerminal to launch HyperTerminal.
2. Open a new connection.
3. Select COM4 from the Connect using pull-down menu and click the OK button to continue.
4. Select 115200 from the Bits per second pull-down menu and click the OK button to continue.
5. Press any key to start receiving RT console output.
6. (Optional) Use NI Measurement & Automation Explorer to restart the RT target so you can view RT console messages displayed at startup.