HOW TO INSTALL INSTRUNET HARDWARE & SOFTWARE INSTALLATION > INSTALLATION >
A) Install instruNet SOFTWARE
Install instruNet software Before installing the physical i2x0 Controller card.
instruNet Software ≥ v3.0 (which includes iW+) is compatible with 32bit and 64bit Windows Xp/Vs/7 computers.
For more details on what is compatible with what, see
www.instrunet.com/a/disc.
Software is installed either from an instruNet CD, or from Internet
URL www.instrunet.com/d. If working with the CD, insert the CD into the computer and run its instruNet_Setup.exe file by double-clicking on the file (or, in some cases,
it will automatically run after insertion). If installing from the internet,
download the instruNet_Setup.exe file from www.instrunet.com/d,
and then run it by double-clicking on its icon. This is the same file that is on the CD.
Installation on a modern computer typically requires < 10 minutes. If you become
concerned your computer has frozen, please check your hard disk light -- if it is blinking, you are Ok. When the instruNet
installation is complete, an "instruNet World" Icon appears on your desktop and an alert notifies you of the
success. If the computer asks you if you want to trust someone, please say yes.
The instruNet_Setup.exe software installs a copy of the instruNet.com website on the end user's local hard disk, which means one can access it without attaching the computer to the internet. The website contains all documentation, and is provided instead of a hard copy user's manual. To access it, click on the "installing instruNet" desktop icon; or select START, PROGRAMS, instruNet, and an html e webpage.
Hardware drivers are placed at "... Program Files \ instrunet \ drivers \ .." if on a 32bit OS Computer or "... Program Files (x86) \ instrunet \ drivers \ .." if on a 64bit OS Computer.
If you purchased the optional instrunet World PLUS (iW+) software,
then enable it via the instructions at www.instrunet.com/a/plus, or via the hard copy "instruNet World+ (iW+) License" document included with iW+.
B) Install instruNet HARDWARE
After installing instruNet Software, as described above, install instruNet Hardware:
If working with the i200 pci or i230 pcmcia controller, make sure you are on a 32bit Windows ≥
Xp/Vs/7 computer. Alternatively, if working with an i240 USB controller, make sure you are on a 32bit or 64bit Windows ≥ XP Sp2 (service pack #2) computer. If your computer is older,
see www.instrunet.com/a/disc.
Turn power OFF to all instruNet i100 and i4xx Card Cage devices (e.g. disconnect power from i312 power supply);
turn power OFF to equipment connected to your instruNet hardware (e.g. your device under test); and touch bare metal on your
computer metal frame to discharge your personal static electricity. It is not necessary to power OFF your computer at this time.
If working with i4xx Cards, build your i4xx Card Cages and
install their i4xx Cards as needed. In Summary:
One i41x computer interface card must be placed into slot #1 (which is the left most slot).
If you are working with analog inputs, you need at least one i43x a/d card in each card cage.
To install an i4xx card, one must:
Remove blank panel via two slotted jackscrews at panel top and bottom
Card cages with 5 or more slots require side-by-side assembly of
two to four i400's (e.g. four i400's creates a 16slot card cage).
One attaches i400's side-by-side by removing the side 62pin connector covers,
pressing the i400's together, and then securing the seam with
four flat head 4-40 bolts (included with each i400). For details on building card cages
with 5 or more slots, see www.instrunet.com/a/i4aa.
An i312 power supply and i300 power adaptor cable
is required between the i2x0 controller and the first i100/i4xx device. Optionally, one can place a ≤ 10m (30ft) Db25 cable between the i240 and the i300.
The Db25 Terminator
at the end of the network is not required if the distance between the i240 and the last device is less than 5 meters (15ft).
The i240 USB controller is powered from its Db25 connector, not from its USB 4pin connector. This means
that the computer will not see the i240 until the Db25 i312 power is applied. This might be confusing at first, since typically a computer tone sounds when a USB device
is first connected. In this case, the tone occurs when both the i240 is connected to the computer via the
USB cable and when the i240 is powered from the i312 power supply. A red light on the i410 and a green light on the i312 illuminate when these devices are receive power.
The i240 USB controller needs an i300 power adaptor cable that was manufactured after January of 2010. This i300 ≥ v4 cable contains an additional circuit that provides 5V power to the i240.
The label on the cable needs to say "#iNet-300 v4" (version ≥ 4) and not just "#iNet-300" (which refers to earlier than v4).
The i240 communicates with a computer via High Speed USB 2.0 (480M bits/sec).
Please note that USB 1.0 and Full Speed USB 2.0 (12M bits/sec) are not sufficient.
If one attaches the i240 to the computer via a USB Hub, then make sure that hub communicates with the i240
via High Speed 2.0 (480M bits/sec). To avoid confusion, it is recommended that one connect the i240 directly to a USB port connector on the computer itself (no intermediate hub). External USB hard disks and USB flash memory also need fast transfer speeds; therefore it is recommended that they be attached directly
to the computer as well. Other USB devices tend to run fine at slower transfer rates (e.g. 12M), and
subsequently are often connected via a USB hub.
If working with multiple i240 controllers, one can attach up to
four i240 USB controllers to a USB ≥ 2.0 High Speed hub,
and then attach that hub directly to a computer. In this case, it is recommended that no other USB device attach to that hub.
If working with multiple i240 controllers, please make sure you are working with instruNet software ≥ v3.0.37.
The i240 USB controller requires Windows ≥ XP Sp2 (service pack #2). If your OS is older, the
i240 will not install.
The i240 requires version ≥ 3.0 of the instruNet software, shipped after January of 2010. To see what
version you are on, run the instruNet World software (i.e. START / Programs / instruNet / instruNet World), and
select About... under the Help menu.
The i240 appears in the Windows Device Manager window under the category of "Data-Acquisition Cards".
When you initially installed the instruNet_Setup.exe file, as described previously,
the i240 driver file ("inet_usb_installer.inf") was placed onto your computer
and registered with your operating system. Then, later, when you physically attach the i240 hardware, the computer
automatically matches that file to the new device and installs the hardware automatically.
Shown below is a typical i240 USB i4xx Card Cage system where power is inserted into
the network before the first instruNet device via the
i300 power adaptor cable.
The next step is to build your instruNet network. In summary:
In instruNet lingo, a "Device" is either an i100 box or an i4xx Card cage;
and a controller is any i2x0 product (i200 PCI, i230 PCMCIA, or i240 USB).
All devices are compatible with all controllers.
If the instruNet Db25 network is longer than 5 meters (15ft),
one must place an instruNet Db25 Terminator
at the end of the network.
Make sure there are no Db25 cables (e.g. 3 meters) between the i300 and the i41x/i100 due to
limitations
with transmitting power on small db25 cable wires.
Shown below is a system with more than one i100/i4xx device. Notice how devices are daisy-chained together
via Db25 cables; with a Db25 instruNet Terminator at the end of the network.
When finished building your network (with power off), make sure all Db25 thumbscrews are tight.
Turn computer power OFF; attach the physical instruNet i240 USB, i200 PCI or i230 PCMCIA card to your computer; and attach network devices to the i2x0 controller via Db25 Cable.
If you attach the i2x0 controller to the computer before the instruNet software had been installed, then the i2x0 will not connect properly. In this case, one must remove the i2x0 from the computer, install the instruNet software, and then reattach the i2x0.
Turn the computer power ON and then turn ON all powered devices attached to the instruNet network.
If the computer shows a dialog box that says it "Found New Hardware"
and it needs an .inf driver file for the i2x0 controller,
one must use the BROWSE button to navigate
to one of the directories listed below
(e.g. "..Program Files \ instruNet \ Drivers \").
If you are on a 64bit Computer, you must navigate to "Program Files (x86)" instead of "Program Files".
If you are on Windows 7, then you must enter the "Device Manager"
and "Update Driver Software". To do this, right-click on the desktop "Computer" icon,
select Properties, select Device Manager, right-click on the "instruNet Controller" icon,
select "Update Driver", click the Browse button and then navigate to one of the directories listed below.
Never click "Search Internet for New Driver", never "Manually Check for Drivers on Windows Update", and never use Windows Update to locate a new driver.
With all versions of Windows, the instruNet controller should appear in the Device Manager
under "Data-Acquisition Cards". Also, if instruNet ever appears here with a yellow mark next to its icon; then one needs to "Update Driver" and browse to one of the following directories. One should only need to attach a driver once per installation.
i240 USB Driver For 32 or 64bit Windows ≥ XP Sp2 Program Files \ instruNet \ Drivers \ iNet USB Driver \
i230 PCMCIA Driver For 32bit Win Xp/Vs/7 Program Files \ instruNet \ Drivers \ PCMCIA Win 2k-Xp Driver \
i200 PCI Driver For 32bit Win Xp/Vs/7 Program Files \ instruNet \ Drivers \ PCI Win Nt-2k-Xp Driver \
After installing instruNet software; a copy of the instruNet website is installed on your computer's hard disk. To access it; select
Start, Programs, instruNet, "instruNet Tutorial".
This is similar to visiting http://www.instrunet.com
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