Minimal redistribution package for Visual C++ application?

[Vladimir_S]

Where can I find/download a minimal redistribution package for a stand-alone Visual C++ application?

 The customers only have DMM's (HP34401A) and they don't have any software solutions from NI. I use IVI/VISA libraries to build the application.

[TV_Enable]

Hi Vladimir,

Thanks for your question.  If all you are using is IVI and VISA, you will want to include the VISA Run-Time Engine and IVI Compliance Package in your installer.  These two installers will be roughly 100 MB.  If you have any 488.2 calls, you will also need to include NI-488.2.  

Thanks again for your post.

Regards,

Todd V. 

[Vladimir_S]

Hi Todd,Thank you for the answer, I will download and try the packages – although I expected a smaller sizes... Actually I think that the DMM's specific driver is also required; I have already downloaded it: "hp34401a_setup.exe" (11 MB).I suppose this packages should be installed after the VISA Run-Time Engine and IVI Compliance Package – is that true? Thanks again,

Vladimir

  

[TV_Enable]

Hi Vladimir,

Thanks for your quick reply.  The "hp34401a_setup.exe" is the executable that downloads the instrument driver.  The instrument driver is merely a series of VIs that consist of 488.2 or VISA VIs that have the commands that your instrument recognizes.  You won't want to include the "hp34401a_setup.exe" in your installer, but you will want to include the VIs that are in the instrument driver's library.  You will need to see if your instrument driver makes VISA or 488.2 calls, and you will have to subsequently include whichever of the two it uses in your installer.  Have a great day!

Regards,

Todd V. 

[Dennis_Knutson]

That's not quite true for an IVI driver. The setup program installs the VIs but it also installs the specific dll that the VIs use. Obviously, the VIs are not required for a C++ app but the dll is required and it should be installed in the default location of c:\VXIPNP\WinNT\Bin.

Another useful thing to include in an installer is the MAX configuration. This would include all of the setup you did for logical names, etc. What I don't know is how to get MAX on the new pc to automatically load the config file. I use LabVIEW and the option to do that is just a checkbox on the LabVIEW installer.

[Vladimir_S]

Hi Todd,

Thanks a lot for your helpful guidelines,

One more question:

During the installation of the IVI Compliance Package, a message box appeared saying:

"MAX 4.2.1 Not Detected" - and actually MAX has not been installed.

Can you recommend a common (minimal) package that would install a latest version of MAX on the user PC?

Thank you,

Vladimir

[TV_Enable]

Hi Vladimir,

Thanks for the reply.  MAX will get downloaded along with any hardware driver.  I'm not sure which one is the smallest, but NI-488.2 is one of the smallest.  You can search all drivers at our drivers and updates page.  Have a great day!

Regards,

Todd V. 

[Vladimir_S]

Thanks for your help,Actually most of our users have only HP34401A meter connected via RS-232 so they don't like the idea of installing the NI-488.2 driver just to obtain MAX L (the meter driver - "hp34401a_setup.exe", about 11 MB - does not install MAX.)Could you recommend a generic package (not specific to a particular hardware but this meter) that would install a latest version of MAX on the user PC?  

[cymrieg]

Vladimir,

You have a Visual C++ application using RS232 - so no NI products(Software or GPIB)? I think you don't have a license to redistribute NI MAX or NI VISA for that matter.

Maybe someone from NI could confirm that?

[TV_Enable]

Hi,

There is no way to download Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) in and of itself.  It is a utility whose purpose is to configure National Instruments hardware and software.  Therefore, it is only installed with either NI software (such as LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI) or a hardware driver, as discussed in this KnowledgeBase article.  There is no generic package specific to your meter that would install MAX on a PC.  In order to have any functionality in MAX, you will want to have NI-VISA installed.  NI-488.2 is one of our smaller installers, and it includes NI-VISA.  You can also customize your insaller to include just what you want to include, including just MAX.  However, I don't know if this will work without any hardware drivers installed.

Regards,

Todd V.