Technical data

90 Agilent Connectivity Guide
5 Connecting Instruments to LAN
LAN Quick Start
This section shows suggested steps to help you quickly get started
connecting and configuring your LAN-enabled instruments for site
LAN or private LAN operation.
Typical LAN Interface Systems The advantages of LAN
technology are making it an attractive alternative to GPIB for system
I/O. As a result, LAN interfaces are becoming more common in test
equipment -- though LAN ports will likely coexist with GPIB for years
to come.
On the surface, the presence of LAN ports in most current-generation
PCs and many new-generation test instruments may make connections
seem as simple as finding a network cable and plugging it into both
devices. Making the connection work depends on the LAN services of
Microsoft
®
Windows
®
and the additional capabilities provided by the
Agilent IO Libraries Suite v15. A quick, one-time configuration process
will make LAN-based instrument connections as easy as using GPIB.
Once the IO Libraries Suite is installed and configured, it accelerates the
connection process with software libraries and utilities that let you
quickly discover instruments on your network, configure and verify the
connections, and get on with your job — whether it entails the creation
of instrument control software or the use of pre-existing application
software.
Getting Started Use the following sequence of steps as a guide to
help you set up your instruments for site LAN or private LAN
operation. For additional information:
• TCP/IP Network Basics for an introduction to TCP/IP networks
• Troubleshooting LAN Interfaces for LAN troubleshooting tips
• Glossary for a definition of some LAN terms
• Contacting Agilent if you need to contact Agilent