Unable to Open Session to “visa://IP Address/PXI2::15::INSTR”

Updated Dec 10, 2019

Reported In

Driver

  • NI-VISA

Issue Details

I have installed the necessary software and configured all hardware for my PXI controller, but each time I try to access any of the devices I get the following error:
Unable to open session to “visa://192.168.99.5/PXI2::15::INSTR”
Return status code: 0xBFFF00A8
Status name: VI_ERROR_NPERMISSION
Access to the resource or remote machine is denied. This is due to lack of sufficient privileges for the current user or machine

What is going on and why am I getting this error?

Solution

The reason you are getting this error message is due to the VISA security settings. In NI MAX (Measurement and Automation Explorer), you have to explicitly give permission to the host PC trying to target the PXI Controller. Follow the steps below in order to configure the VISA security settings:
  1. Open NI MAX.  Navigate to Remote Systems » Your PXI Controller » Software » NI VISA x.x.
  2. Switch to VISA Options tab. Click on Security in the main windows.
  1. Click on Click to add new permission. Enter either the IP Address of the host computer or enter * (an asterisk) to allow access to all computers on the same network. Save the settings by clicking the Save button at the top of the window and reboot the controller.