Is there a reason no one is using the Prologix GPIB-ETHERNET controller?

[NI-hilator]

I am trying to control several Agilent HP-6033A power supplies and an HP-6681A power supply.  I have a Prologix GPIB-Ethernet controller on each.  I have done a search on "prologix ethernet" with zero results, however, there are a number of Prologix USB-Ethernet references.  Is there a reason no one is using the Prologix GPIB-ETHERNET controller?  This is a project I have inherited and I'm trying to troubleshoot some intermittent problems.

Thanks!

[prologix]

Please contact Prologix Support -- support@prologix.biz -- for assistance.

Regards,

[srdfrn]

Hi TimTech,

I'm not sure why no one is using this particular controller, other than the fact that it may not be VXI-11 complient.  In order to communicate with the device through NI-VISA, it will need to supprt LAN instrumentation protocol, or VXI-11.  If it does, then you shouldn't have a problem using it with your project.

I looked through the manual for the Prologix GPIB-ENET device you mentioned, and I didn't see anything related to VXI-11.  It did, however, mention controlling the device in a programming environment like LabVIEW.  I would recommend contacting Prologix and asking them to clarify on this matter.

Regards,

Stephanie R.

National Instruments

[Dennis_Knutson]

Just like it's usb-gpib cousin, you have to do quite a lot of mods to existing instrument drivers.

[Dennis_Knutson]

And why would you have one of these on each instrument? Are they separated from each other?

[NI-hilator]

Prologix - It is not really assistance I need.  Just wondering why I see more use of the USB version, that is all.  Thanks.

[NI-hilator]

Denis - Agreed.  I inherited this project.  Only one module needed. As long as the instruments are connected together with a GPIB cable, you can address each one individually.  Thanks.

[Karl_Rony1]

My group uses the Prologix GPIB-ETHERNET controller for controlling two Keithley devices in a Visual Studio 2008 .NET application. To achieve a sample rate under 200ms, we have to place one GPIB-ETHERNET on each Keithley device.  The device was very easy to program using TCP/IP calls and required no drivers from Prologix.

On our latest application, we switched to the NI ENET-1000 because the Prologix device doesn't have a certificate like the NI ENET-1000 has. Unlike the Prologix, I must install the NI 422 driver and MAX. I can easily control two Keithley devices with one ENET-1000. Next week, I intend to see if I can control 4-5 Keithleys simultaneously in under 100ms.

No matter what the IP address of the computer is versus the Prologix, the Prologix net configuration utility can find the device.  If the NI device is not in the same subnet, the computer cannot find it. 

[NI-hilator]

Thanks Karl. Good to have the speed perspective.  I am using Labview with simple TCP commands.

[NI-hilator]

Denis - also recently discovered that the power supplies where originally in separate locations in the lab... necessitating the individual Ethernet-gpib modules.