LabVIEW Real-Time Idea Exchange

Sorry if this is a duplicate idea I searched and couldn't believe it hasn't been posted.

This idea is to add Linux RT deployment support for desktop PCs. NI in the past has had a process for purchasing an Phar Lap RT license, then deploying it to a normal x86 based PC. Here are the System Requirements, and a manual.

This opened up the door for desktop PCs to become embedded PCs, controlling NI hardware, but allowing for an upgrade path where embedded cDAQ devices, and even PXI controllers don't have many options.

At the moment there are unofficial ways to get Linux RT on an x86 based desktop with limited success, but no support. These options are outlines in the comments of an idea to allow for a VM of the Linux RT environment. NI could go with a similar route to Phar Lap and sell a license with a list of supported hardware.

I use "Set System Image" to set an image on freshly manufactured units. Every now and then, the imaging process fails for one reason or another (possibly a hardware/networking failure). I know that the image process in my case usually takes about 4 minutes. Unfortunately when the imaging process fails, there's no way for the application to gracefully stop "Set System Image". The only option is to wait a really long time or use the task manager to force-quit the application. The abort button on the VI doesn't work

So, I'd like one of two things. Either, an input so I can adjust the timeout based on my application or some way to let "Set System Image" know that the application would like to stop if possible (maybe nothing had been written yet). For example, it could take in a DVR and the application could feed it a "true".

System Image Escape.png

As cRIO's are deployed in ever growing applications, it would sure be nice if there was an option to use SFTP (and disable FTP altogheter) on the controller. Ideally it would be supported at the OS level, i.e. the existing cRIO FTP server is upgraded or extended to include SFTP as well.

If this is already supported, try searching for "sftp" or "crio sftp" and you'll see only one 3rd party tool-kit, but I confirmed with that company (Labwerx.net) that it (labSSH) does not support cRIO/FPGA/RT targets and there are no concrete plans to add support to other targets.

NI: I call on you to either create the FTP toolkit I need to write my own SFTP server, or better yet, update the cRIO FTP server to include the "s". . . It is only one letter, how hard can that be!? 😉

If this is already possible through some (obscure?) way, please update your site-search engine to reckognize sftp and/or crio sftp, and/or link to a KB or Whitepaper on the topic as I did not find any.

(Note: cRIO safety and security IS covered in pretty good detail in the article series starting with Overview of Best Practices for Security on RIO Systems and the linked 3 articles.)

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LabVIEW Real-Time Idea Exchange

Linux RT Desktop Deployment

Setting the time and date with MAX

There should be a way to stop Set System Image.vi if possible

SFTP support for Real Time Targets?