Hi!
As I said, I'm using serial port RS232 on my cFP-2020, to communicate with external instruments, and you don't have to configure it in MAX or something else.
The serial port is quite simple to use, just you configure it depending on your needs, as you can see in the example, and then open it, and send data through it. To configure I mean set baud rate, termination char, etc....
Some things I need to know; first, you say you're an undergraduate: can I ask what is your major? This can help me understand what for you is simple instead of what are things maybe you don't know....
Then, I suppose you have LV 7.1 and Real-Time module (if it isn't like this, you are unable to dowload applications to your cFP. To access cFP's serials, you need an "embedded" appication, i.e. you need to work with the real-time target.)
More: something about your instrument RS232 specifications, I mean the Julabo device, I hope it is a simple RS232 instrument, with a common asynch serial RS232. If you can post the details of instrument, I will appreciate.
Unfortunately, I don't know any sites (of course they will exiast!) in which your question are well explained. Usually, the best place to learn is NI forum, and don't worry about people like me, spending time to answer: sometimes, questions can learn more than answers!.
Have a nice day!
graziano