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NI RIO Kernel Modules for X-Series PCIe Connectivity

# Linux NI RIO Installation and Usage

## Overview

UHD can communicate with USRP X300 / X310 devices using the PCIe transport connection. The ni-usrp-rio package in the NI Linux Device Drivers repository includes the infrastructure to enable this functionality. This package is only intended for UHD PCIe transport support. This does not include NI-USRP API support on Linux.

## Requirements

In order to use the PCIe transport connection on the USRP X300 / X310 devices, you must install the NI USRP RIO driver stack. These include kernel modules which are loaded using DKMS. Kernel headers are required to build these modules. Only x86_64/AMD64 kernels are supported.

## Installing the Drivers in Linux

The NI Linux Device Driver repository can be found at NI Linux Device Drivers.

Note: This guide was written for the NI Linux Device Drivers 2020 release.

Download the corresponding repository rpm or deb for your platform.

For Fedora 31, download the EL8 repository.

For Ubuntu 18.04, download the Bionic repository.

Install the repository rpm or deb:

Fedora

    rpm -i {ni drivers repository}.rpm

Ubuntu

    dpkg -i {ni drivers repository}.deb

Update package information:

Fedora

    dnf check-update

Ubuntu

    apt update

Install kernel-headers:

Fedora

    dnf install kernel-devel

Ubuntu

    apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Note: You must ensure that the kernel header version is the same as the system kernel version. You can check the system kernel version by running:

    uname -r

Install ni-usrp-rio:

Fedora

    dnf install ni-usrp-rio

Ubuntu

    apt install ni-usrp-rio

Build kernel modules using DKMS:

    dkms autoinstall

If you run into build errors, ensure the kernel headers are installed for your current kernel.

Reboot:

    reboot

Run UHD application:

At this point, the connected PCIe device should be visible from UHD. To verify this run:

    uhd_find_devices

or

    uhd_usrp_probe

## Enabling and Disabling Usage

The package installers automatically starts the niusrpriorpc service on boot. This service is required to communicate with UHD.

To start the service:

    systemctl start niusrpriorpc.service

To stop the service:

    systemctl stop niusrpriorpc.service

To disable the service on boot:

    systemctl disable niusrpriorpc.service

To reenable the service on boot:

    systemctl enable niusrpriorpc.service

## Hot-Plugging and Power-Cycling

The USRP X3x0, NI USRP-294x and NI USRP-295x devices cannot be hot-swapped when connected over PCI Express. Unplugging the PCI Express connection or powering the device should be done only after powering off the host computer.

## Upgrading Kernels

DKMS will automatically rebuild the kernel modules when updating kernels. Ensure that the appropriate kernel headers are installed when updating kernel versions.

## Uninstalling the Driver in Linux

To uninstall ni-usrp-rio, run the following commands:

Fedora:

    dnf remove ni-usrp-rio

Ubuntu:

    apt remove ni-usrp-rio
    apt autoremove

# Windows NI RIO Installation and Usage

## Requirements

The latest NI-USRP installer can be found by visiting ni.com/info and entering the Info Code USRPDRIVER. System requirements can be found on the resulting web page.

## Installing NI-USRP in Windows

The latest NI-USRP installer can be found by visiting ni.com/info and entering the Info Code USRPDRIVER. You will need to create a free NI User Account to download the installer. Follow the installation instructions on the web page to download and install the driver.

## Enabling and Disabling Usage

Once everything is installed and the system is rebooted, the X300/X310 PCI Express device should automatically be detected by the Windows Device Manager. The device should be enabled by default.

- To disable the USRPRIO device, navigate to "Device Manager", locate the USRPRIO-X3x0 device, right-click on it and choose "Disable"
- To enable the USRPRIO device, navigate to "Device Manager", locate the USRPRIO-X3x0 device, right-click on it and choose "Enable".

## Hot-plugging and Power-cycling

The USRP X3x0, NI USRP-294x and NI USRP-295x devices cannot be hot-swapped when connected over PCI Express. Unplugging the PCI Express connection or powering the device should be done only after disabling the device or powering off the host computer.

WARNING: If the device is unplugged without disabling it in device manager, the system could become unstable.

## Uninstalling NI-USRP in Windows

Navigate to the Control Panel and open "Programs". Then select National Instruments Software and select NI-USRP and NI-RIO from the list. Click on uninstall to remove the drivers from your system.