"Inconsistent IP Settings" When Using a Real-Time Target in NI MAX

Issue Details

• I can not FTP to my Real-Time (RT) Target.
• I can not connect my Real-Time Target through LabVIEW.
• I can not change the network adapter settings for the target.
• My CompactRIO (cRIO) randomly shut down and after rebooting, lost it's IP settings and assumed a Link-Local address. Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX) displays "Inconsistent IP Settings" and I'm not able to change the configurations in NI MAX even after putting the cRIO under Safe Mode doesn't let me change the IP settings. How can I solve this?
• NI MAX identifies the System State as "Connected - Inconsistent IP Settings." What does this mean and how do I fix it?
• When I connect my RT controller to my PC using the USB Device port, NI MAX recognizes the device, but I get a "Connected-Inconsistent IP Settings" message, and I cannot configure my target. 

Solution

The steps to solve this issue may vary depending on how you are connecting the RT controller to the host PC. Please refer to the section that applies for your current configuration.

Real-Time Target Connected Through Ethernet Port

NI MAX identifies a remote system as "Connected - Inconsistent IP Settings" when the host machine has a static IP but the target has a link-local IP address. This conflicting system setup creates network problems between the host and target, which is why FTP and LabVIEW fail to connect.

To fix this problem, try the following steps:

1. Delete the device from NI MAX by right-clicking on the remote target in NI MAX and clicking Delete. Refresh NI MAX to allow it to find the remote target, and check if the device still shows "Inconsistent IP Settings."
2. Check and see if the System Configuration versions for the Host and the Real Time target are different.  If this is the case, then delete the target and re-add it with the IP address or reinstall the software stack to the Real Time target so the versions match.
3. Set the target to a static IP address. To do so, click on the remote target in NI MAX, open the Network Settings tab, and choose Static under Configure IPv4 Address.

1. If you are not able to configure the IP address, reset the IP address to a default IP address and configure it to use a static IP address on the same subnet as the host machine. Consult your device's operating instructions to determine how to perform an IP reset. If your device has a USB port, you can also connect it over USB to configure the IP settings (it will still show up under Remote Systems). USB connections simulate a network connection and eliminate any actual network issues. With the connection via USB, the cRIO will have the IP address of 172.22.11.2, but you will still be able to configure a static IP address for the ethernet ports.
2. To find your computer's IPv4 address and Subnet Mask, you should go to Control Panel»Network and Sharing Center» Change Adapter Settings»Local Area Connection (Or whichever Connection you are using to connect to the internet or the network) On the opened window click Details.

  3. Perform a reformat of the real-time controller, resetting the network interfaces to their default state when prompted. 
  4. If you are unable to change the network adapter settings for the remote target even after an IP reset, you can instead temporarily change the network settings for your Host PC. To do this:

1. Find the IPv4 Address for your remote target by clicking on the remote target in NI MAX, open the Network Settings tab, and choose Static under Configure IPv4 Address.
2. Set the IPv4 Properties for your network adapter to the address of your remote target.
   1. Right-click the adapter (generally Local Area Connection) for which you want to set a static IP address, and then select the “Properties” command.
   2. In the properties window for the adapter, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click the Properties button.
   3. Select Use the following IP address to set the IP address and Subnet Mask.

 

3. ​After applying the changes to your target as per the above bullet point, revert the Host PC's adapter settings to their desired values.

   5. If you are unable to change the network adapter settings but the remote system has a USB port, you can connect it to the host PC via USB cable and be able to set the IP address manually. Set a static IP address from the same subnet as the host PC, then connect it via ethernet.

   6. If you're having this issue with a PXIe controller it is possible that the PXI Platform services software is corrupt and not allowing NI MAX to correctly connect to the controller. Reinstall PXI Platform Services by following the instructions on Installing, Updating, Repairing, and Removing NI Software .
  
Note: The subnet mask of the PC must match the subnet mask of the Real-Time Target. If they do not match, the Inconsistent IP Settings will remain. The subnet mask of the PC can be configured in the same configuration window that the IPv4 Address.

Real-Time Target Connected Through the USB Device Port

If NI MAX displays an "Inconsistent IP Settings" message when you connect your RT controller to the host PC through the USB device port on the target, this may suggest that NI-USBLAN adapter is not correctly configured. To fix any communication issues, please follow the steps below:

1. When an RT target is connected through USB, a virtual Ethernet interface is created. This means that Windows will detect it as an Ethernet port. Navigate to Control Panel >> Network and Sharing Center >> Change Adapter Settings, to visualize the NI-USBLAN adapter

2. To verify if the adapter has the right configuration, right-click on the NI-USBLAN adapter and select Status >> Details. To work correctly and allow connectivity with the controller, DHCP should be enabled on the adapter.

3. If DHCP is not enabled, or the connectivity is not working at all, diagnose the connection Windows. To do so, right-click on the adapter and select Diagnose. Follow the instructions from the Windows Network Diagnostics wizard to solve any issues detected. 

Additional Information

• Remote devices showing Inconsistent IP Settings is a known issue in NI MAX 16.0.0 (NI System Configuration 16.0). This was reported as ID 598531 and has been fixed in the NI System Configuration 16.0.1 Patch.  After installing this patch be sure to restart your system.  If your device does not display then select View >> Refresh within NI MAX.
• The use of adapters USB to ethernet is a not supported scenario, if this is the case try to connect the CompactRIO directly to the ethernet port of the host computer instead.
• If the problem still persists, disable the firewall to corroborate if there's not any rule blocking the port and also try to change to another host machine to confirm that the network card in the affected host machine is not causing "Inconsistent IP Settings" in NI MAX.