BNC 835 Programmer Manual - Manual (Page 8)

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TCPIP::192.168.1.50::INSTR is therefore a valid resource name.
TCPIP designates the network protocol used and INSTR indicates that the VXI-11 protocol is used. If
several instruments are connected to the network, each instrument has its own IP address and
associated resource name. The controller identifies these instruments by means of the resource
name.
2.1.2 Using Sockets LAN
Sockets LAN is a method used to communicate with the signal generator over the LAN interface using
the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). A socket is a fundamental technology
used for computer networking and allows applications to communicate using standard mechanisms
built into network hardware and operating systems. The method accesses a port on the signal
generator from which bidirectional communication with a network computer can be established.
Sockets LAN can be described as an internet address that combines Internet Protocol (IP) with a
device port number and represents a single connection between two pieces of software. The socket
can be accessed using code libraries packaged with the computer operating system. Two common
versions of socket libraries are the Berkeley Sockets Library for UNIX systems and Winsock for
Microsoft operating systems.
Your signal generator implements a socket Applications Programming Interface (API) that is
compatible with Berkeley socket for UNIX systems and Winsock for Microsoft systems. The signal
generator is also compatible with other standard sockets APIs. The signal generator can be controlled
using predefined SCPI functions once the socket connection is established in your program. Socket
connection is available on port 18.
2.1.3 Using and Configuring VXI-11 (VISA)
The signal generator supports the LAN interface protocol described in the VXI-11 standard. VXI-11 is
an instrument control protocol based on Open Network Computing/Remote Procedure Call
(ONC/RPC) interfaces running over TCP/IP.
A range of standard software such as NI-VISA or Agilent IO Config is available to setup the computer-
signal generator interface for the VXI- 11 protocol. Please refer to the applicable software user manual
and documentation for information on running the program and configuring the VXI-11 interface. The
program is used to configure the LAN client. Once the computer is configured for a LAN client, you can
use the VXI- 11 protocol and the VISA library to send SCPI commands to the signal generator over the
LAN interface. Example programs are available on request under [email protected] .
VISA is an IO library used to develop IO applications and instrument drivers that comply with industry
standards. It is recommended to use the VISA library for programming the signal generator.. The NI-
VISA and Agilent VISA libraries are similar implementations of VISA and have the same commands,
syntax, and functions.