Installation guide

Chapter 4 85
Configuring I/O Interfaces
Configuring LAN Interfaces
Configuring LAN Interfaces
This section gives guidelines to use the IO Config utility to configure
LAN interfaces, including:
n LAN Interfaces Overview
n Configuring LAN Client Interfaces
n Configuring VISA LAN Client Interfaces
n Configuring LAN Server Interfaces
LAN Interfaces Overview
This section gives guidelines to use the Agilent IO Libraries to configure
instruments over a LAN (Local Area Network). A LAN is a way to extend the
control of instrumentation beyond the limits of typical instrument interfaces.
To communicate over the LAN, you must first configure the LAN Client
interface.
LAN Client/Server
Model
The LAN software provided with the Agilent IO Libraries allows
instrumentation control over a LAN. Using standard LAN connections,
instruments can be controlled from computers that do not have special
interfaces for instrument control.
The LAN software uses the
client/server model of computing. Client/server
computing refers to a model where an application (the client
) does not
perform all necessary tasks of the application itself. Instead, the client
makes requests of another computing device (the server) for certain
services.
LAN Hardware
Architecture
As shown in the following figure, a LAN client (such as a Series 700 HP-UX
workstation or a Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000 PC) makes VISA requests
over the network to a LAN server (such as a Series 700 HP-UX workstation,
a Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000 PC, or an E2050 LAN/GPIB Gateway).
The LAN server is connected to the instrumentation or devices to be
controlled. Once the LAN server has completed the requested operation on
the instrument or device, the LAN server sends a reply to the LAN client.
This reply contains requested data and status information that indicates
whether or not the operation was successful. The LAN server acts as a
gateway between the LAN software that the client system supports and the
instrument-specific interface that the device supports.