LAN Direct Connection

This page describes the most basic PC-to-instrument connection via local area network (LAN). For more options, including those where the instrument(s) and PC are connected to a site or private LAN, see the LXI Consortium white paper "Building LXI-based Test Systems".

To set up this type of system:

1. Connect and configure the instrument(s), as described in the instrument's user's manual.
   
   
2. Run Connection Expert.

The Discovery Service automatically discovers many LAN instruments on the same subnet as the PC on which the service is running. However, they are not automatically added to the Connection Expert My Instruments list. LAN instruments not automatically discovered must be added manually.

• To add LAN instruments to the Connection Expert My Instruments list:
  
  
  1. Click , select LAN Instrument from the context list. This opens the list of discovered LAN instruments.
     
     
  2. Click the check box for each instrument you want to add to the list.
     
     
  3. Click OK.

• To manually add LAN instruments outside of the local subnet:
  
  
  1. Click , select LAN Instrument from the context list. This opens the list of discovered LAN instruments.
     
     
  2. Click the Manually Enter Address tab.
     
     
  3. Enter the LAN address or hostname, select the protocol used to communicate with the instrument.
     
     
  4. Click OK. See Add a LAN Instrument for instructions.
     
     

Many instruments on your local LAN subnet are discovered automatically when they announce themselves via the mDNS protocol. Some older instruments do not announce themselves, and therefore they are not auto-discovered. Instruments on your local subnet which conform to the LXI standard, version 1.3 or later, are discovered automatically. They were automatically removed from your Instruments view if they go offline. Instruments on your local subnet which conform to the LXI standard, version 1.2, are discovered on PC startup and when you click Rescan All in the Instruments list. If they go offline, they would not be removed from your Instruments view until you click Rescan All or reboot your PC.