Solution
NI distributes some software installers and firmware packages as ISO (.iso) or BIN (.bin) files. The purpose of the file depends on the product being installed or updated.
ISO Files: Software Installation Media
ISO files are disk images that contain the contents of an installation DVD or software distribution media. Many NI offline installers are provided in this format.
You can use an ISO file in one of the following ways:
Mount the ISO file in Windows
- Right-click the .iso file and select Mount.
- Windows creates a virtual DVD drive containing the installer files.
- Open the mounted drive and launch the installation.
Create installation media
- Use disk imaging software to write the ISO file to a DVD or USB drive.
- Use the resulting media to install software on another computer.
ISO files are commonly used when installing NI software on systems without internet access or when creating offline installation media.
BIN Files: Product-Specific Usage
The meaning of a .bin file depends on the NI product that provides it.
Some NI products use .bin files as firmware image files rather than software installation media. Examples include:
- PXI controllers and embedded systems
- CompactRIO (cRIO) devices
- CompactDAQ (cDAQ) devices
- Other NI hardware that supports firmware updates
In these cases, the .bin file is typically selected from a firmware update utility, such as Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX), NI Hardware Manager, or a product-specific configuration tool.
For instructions on updating firmware, refer to the documentation for your hardware product rather than attempting to mount or extract the .bin file.
Note: Windows does not provide native support for mounting .bin files. If a product's documentation indicates that the .bin file is intended as a disk image, use a third-party disk image application. Otherwise, use the firmware update process documented for the specific hardware.
Unsure Which Workflow Applies?
Ask the following question:
Is the download intended to install software on a computer, or to update hardware firmware?
- If you are installing NI software, the file is likely an ISO and should be mounted or used as installation media.
- If you are updating an NI device, controller, chassis, or embedded target, the file may be a firmware image that should be loaded through MAX or another hardware configuration utility.