How to Enable Internet Access on an NI Linux Real-Time Target Through USB LAN

Updated Aug 19, 2026

Environment

Hardware

  • myRIO-1950
  • myRIO-1900
  • CompactRIO Controller
  • CompactDAQ Controller
  • CompactRIO Single-Board Controller

This article explains how to connect an NI Linux Real-Time (RT) target to an external network through the USB LAN connection created when the target is connected directly to a Windows host computer. By default, the USB LAN connection provides only a local link between the host computer and the RT target. The procedure below allows the target to obtain network connectivity from another network interface, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
 

 
Prerequisites:
 
  • NI Linux Real-Time target connected to a Windows host through USB.
  • Administrator privileges on the Windows host.
  • An active network interface with internet connection on the host computer (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).

Disable DHCP server built into the USBLAN connection: Disabling the USB LAN DHCP server allows the USB LAN adapter to obtain an IP address from another DHCP server.

 

  1. Open Registry Editor with administrator privileges.
  2. Navigate to:
    1. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\NationalInstrumentsUSBLAN
  3. Locate the DHCPDType registry value and set its value to 2 (Disabled).
    1. Disabled = 2
    2. Enabled = 1

 

Share the Internet Connection with the USB LAN Interface: Configure the host network adapter to share its network connection with the USB LAN interface.

 

  1. Open View Network Connections

  1. Locate the network adapter that has internet connectivity.
  2. Right-click the adapter and select Properties.
  3. Select the Sharing tab.
  4. Enable the "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection" checkbox.
  5. From the Home networking connection drop-down menu, select the USB LAN network adapter.
  6. Apply the changes and close the dialog box.

 

After completing these steps, the NI Linux RT target can obtain network settings through the host computer's active network connection and access external networks through the USB LAN connection.

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