Resetting and self-test of GPIB controller board (not the instruments attached to it!)

[Focus_Research]

OK, this is half the solution.  The SendIFC() is what I was looking for.  I'm using the NationalInstruments.NI4882 API. 

As far as self-tests, this is a deficiency that NI should address on this and future products.  In any type of high-reliability environment, EVERY component must have the ability to run a self-test.  (I would actually argue that is true in any environment whatsoever.)  The chip undoubtedly has some self-diagnostics built in.

- Carl Dreher

[JÞB · Accepted solution]

If you look here you can learn all about using register level access to speak directly to the GPIB chip-set and essentially do an end run around the 488.2 driver.   

It seems that a 0x22 to CMDR (register 95) is a soft reset command.  the chipset does not provide a BIST the technology the hardware was designed with is getting rather dated.   The guiding authority is IEEE and NI does not set the capabilities of the system.

Sorry to disappoint.  If you MUST have a BIST capability you'll need a archetecture newer than GBIP