User`s guide

132 Agilent VISA User’s Guide
5 Programming via LAN
LAN and Remote Interfaces Overview
This section provides an overview of LAN (Local Area
Network) interfaces. A LAN is a way to extend the control
of instrumentation beyond the limits of typical instrument
interfaces. To communicate with instruments over the LAN,
you must first configure a LAN interface or a remote GPIB,
USB, or serial interface, using the Agilent Connection
Expert.
Direct LAN Connection versus Remote IO Server/Client Connection
Some instruments support direct connection to the LAN.
These instruments include an RJ- 45 or other standard LAN
connector and software support for operating as an
independent device on the network. Some of these
instruments are Web- enabled, meaning that they host a Web
page which you can access over the LAN.
With the Agilent IO Libraries Suite, you can connect to
instruments across the LAN even if they do not have direct
LAN capability, if they are connected to gateways (such as
the Agilent E5810A) or to another PC running the Remote
IO Server software.
Refer to the IO Libraries Suite and the Connectivity Guide
for information on connecting and configuring different types
of LAN instrument connections.
Remote IO Server/Client Architecture
The Remote IO Server and Client software provided with
Agilent IO Libraries Suite allows instrumentation to be
controlled over a LAN. Using standard LAN connections,
instruments can be controlled from computers that do not
have special interfaces for instrument control.