Remote Control Basics > Remote Control Interfaces and Protocols > LAN Interface
LAN Interface

To be integrated in a LAN, the instrument is equipped with a LAN interface, consisting of a connector, a network interface card and protocols. For remote control via a network, the PC and the instrument must be connected via the LAN interface to a common network with TCP/IP network protocol. They are connected using a commercial RJ45 cable. The TCP/IP network protocol and the associated network services are preconfigured on the instrument. Software for instrument control and (for specified protocols only) the VISA program library must be installed on the controller.

VISA library

Instrument access via VXI-11 or HiSLIP protocols is achieved from high level programming platforms using VISA as an intermediate abstraction layer. VISA encapsulates the low level VXI or GPIB function calls and thus makes the transport interface transparent for the user. See "VISA Libraries" for details.

IP address

Only the IP address or the computer name (LAN device name) is required to set up the connection. The IP address/computer name is part of the "visa resource string" used by the programs to identify and control the instrument.

Forms of the VISA resource string:
  • TCPIP::host address[::LAN device name][::INSTR]
  • TCPIP::host address::port::SOCKET
Where:
  • TCPIP designates the network protocol used
  • host address is the IP address or host name of the device
  • LAN device name defines the protocol and the instance number of a subinstrument:
    inst0 selects the VXI-11 protocol (optional, default)
    hislip0 selects the newer HiSLIP protocol
  • INSTR indicates the instrument resource class (optional)
  • port determines the used port number
  • SOCKET indicates the raw network socket resource class
Example: 
  • Instrument has the IP address 192.1.2.3; the valid resource string using VXI-11 protocol is:
    TCPIP::192.1.2.3::INSTR
  • The DNS host name is RSSM1; the valid resource string is:
    TCPIP::RSSM1::hislip0 (HiSLIP)
    TCPIP::RSSM1::INSTR (VXI-11)
  • A raw socket connection can be established using:
    TCPIP::192.1.2.3::5025::SOCKET
Identifying instruments in a network

If several instruments are connected to the network, each instrument has its own IP address and associated resource string. The controller identifies these instruments by the resource string.

 


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