Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis for MXI and PXI-1033

[Jcush1113]

Hello, I have a PXI 1033 chassis that runs 5 NI-4461 A/D cards. Currently, it interfaces to my Windows 10 PC usinging the MXI card. for my operations I also require the use of an IRGI/GPS time card that is also PCIe. These are currently installed in a desktop PC. I am looking to use the equipment with a laptop and want to know if this setup will work through a thunderbolt external PCIe chassis. I searched the forum and most info was outdated but seemed like it may be possible. Specifically I am looking at this enclosure:

Sonnet Echo Express SE IIIe Thunderbolt 3 Expansion Chassis

https://www.sonnettech.com/product/echo-express-se3e/overview.html

Thanks, I appreciate the help!

[santo_13]

It might work, but NI's official statement would be that they support only direct PCIe connection to the motherboard and not using any third-party extensions.

NI's hardware relies on the low-level protocol implementation of PCI or PCIe bus, if the third-party bus expansion missed implementing any crucial feature used by NI drivers, they may not work.

Even in using NI Thunderbolt PXIe chassis remote control module, there have been many discussions on the forum about some motherboards being incompatible due to BIOS issues and not allocating enough PCIe root bus and address.

[Jcush1113]

Thanks for the info. it sounds a bit risky. Do you know if there is a list of compatible computers, so at least that part can be checked off the list one way or another?

[santo_13]

Unfortunately, there are far too many options for motherboards and PC manufacturers and NI doesn't have a list of ones.

But the Embedded controllers will 100% work as they were tested to work with PXI chassis.

[Jcush1113]

Thanks for the input.

Would a PXI-8231 Ethernet interface board be a better option? Im not sure that it would work like I imagine, with using the port to stream data to the PC and to configure the PXI/cards. Maybe its only to connect to accessories not to a host.

[santo_13]

No, PXI-8231 is NOT a replacement for Controller in Slot1. This ethernet card is to add additional ethernet ports to the system and you NEED an embedded controller or remote control module in Slot1.