How can I get our Vector Signal Analyzer to communicate over a network from a PC to a unix machine using labview?

[lost in labview]

We have an Agilent Technologies 89600 Series Vector Signal Analyzer connected to a PC in one building. We need to be able to control the VSA from any UNIX machine on our network. My boss thinks this can be done using labview, but I am not very familiar with this program. Is this something that can be achieved in 3 weeks by an inexperienced programmer? Or is there a great deal of code to be written. There is no time for in-depth programming, we have another option if there is not a relatively simple labview solution. We need to know which method to explore soon.
thank you

[Dennis_Knutson]

It's certainly possible. LabVIEW has TCP/IP, ActiveX, and something called DataSocket. Remote control of an instrument is possible with any of the technologies though if you're using Unix, TCP/IP and DataSocket might be your only choices and DataSocket requires a Windows computer someplace on the network to act as a server. As far as writing a program in 3 weeks, I think an inexperienced LabVIEW programmer would have a better chance than an inexperienced C/C++ programmer but like any language, there is a learning curve to LabVIEW. And of course, there is no code to "write" since everything is graphical. LabVIEW comes with examples that you may be able to quickly modify and there are additional examples you can search through at http://zone.ni.com/devzone/devzone.
nsf/webproducts/be7d9c62186b777f86256785006d62c8?opendocument. There is also the Alliance program which is a network of professional LabVIEW developers. Good Luck.

[Ben]

Hi Lost in LabVIEW,

Yes it may be possible.

Simplest solution, concider GPIB-enet box.
If NI supports this under UNIX, NI's support should be able to talk you through getting the example to work. It will not be eligant but it will work.

Next easiest is a client server using VI server over TCP/IP. There are examples on how to do this. The complication is you will need LabVIEW for PC AND UNIX.

Third solution. Contact an Allience member (Warning, shameless plug to follow. or even a Select Integrator, like Data Science Automation (724) 745-8400)who can help.

Ben