Data Acquisition Idea Exchange

I've been told that in order to change module settings, you have to connect a development machine to the network has has the cRIO hardware. Most systems I build have a deployed application and are located somewhere else (i.e. no connected to my machine). It'd be nice if the cRIO module setting could be ported to the cRIO unit without having to connect a development machine and hit "connect" in the project.

For example, I had a cRIO unit in my office and set it up for a project. They installed it, wired it, and tested it. A few months later we needed to add a NI 9213 (16 ch Thermocouple module). It defaults to type J and degree Celcius. In order to switch it to type K, I had to bring my desktop out to the unit, connect to the network, and redeploy the cRIO. I called support twice and was told this is the only way to deploy the module settings. If i'm wrong, someone please correct me.

I'm thinking it could be another type of application builder or something you could add to an existing application.

Not sure if this is the ideal place for this suggestion (maybe MAX suggestions?), but here goes...

When dealing with various remotely deployed cRIO hardware configurations, it may be impossible to keep a sample configuration of every type of system we ever sell.  Unfortunately, if upgrades or revisions are made to the base code in our system, remotely deploying to our customers becomes impossible unless we have their exact configuration on-hand for the programmers to compile.  Remote connection to the hardware for this type of operation is also not typically possible.

To be able to simulate or emulate a full cRIO system (processor & hardware modules), then compile the RT code for deployment on that system as if it is physically connected to our development system would be ideal.  This would allow images to be created, which can be sent to customers for local deployment at their facility.  Dramatic decrease in "hardware library" requirements on the development end, reduction in "on-site upgrade" service trip costs to the customers.  Plus, easier for OEMs like me to justify the move away from PLC types of hardware and towards cRIO, once you take away some of the potentially nightmarish continued support and update issues involved with basing systems on cRIO platforms.