Importing and Exporting IVI Settings in Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI-MAX)

I would like to port my IVI Logical Names, Driver Sessions, and other configuration data to another computer so that this information will appear in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX).

I know that I can export my DAQ hardware configuration from MAX. Can I also import and/or export my IVI settings from MAX?

Yes, you may import and/or export IVI configuration settings within MAX from one machine to another using one of the following methods:

Exporting IVI Configuration Settings 
Method 1:

1. Select File » Export from the pull-down menu.
2. In the National Instruments Configuration Export Wizard dialog box, select the location where you wish to save your file. If you do not use the default file name, you must type a name that ends with the appropriate extension. The recommended file type is the NI Configuration Export File (.nce) as it allows you to export complete configurations that do not need to be edited outside of MAX. Select Next.
3. Select IVI and any other settings you wish to export. You can select each item individually or you can select items by clicking the Check All or Check By Product button.
4. Select Export.
5. A pane displays a report on the status of the export. This report may be edited and saved, but this is not required.
6. Click Finish.

Method 2:

1. Navigate to the IVI data directory: 
   • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\IVI Foundation\IVI​
   • Windows Vista/7: C:\ProgramData\IVI Foundation\IVI
2. Copy the IVIConfigurationStore.xml file, which stores all of the IVI configuration settings on the machine, from this directory to the target machine.

Method 3:

1. Within MAX, select IVI Drivers from the Configuration tree on the left
2. Click the Save IVI Configuration As button on the right-hand pane, thus saving your IVI configuration settings to the file you specify.

Importing IVI Configuration Settings 
Method 1:

1. Select File » Import from the pull-down menu.
2. Type or browse the path to the directory containing the.nce file. Select Next.
3. An abbreviated configuration tree displays all devices, channels, and tasks saved in the configuration file. Check the checkbox next to each item you wish to import.
4. Click Import. 
5. A pane displays a report on the status of the export. This report may be edited and saved, but this is not required.
6. Click Finish.

Method 2:

1. Close MAX
2. Navigate to the IVI data directory:
   • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\IVI Foundation\IVI​
   • Windows Vista/7: C:\ProgramData\IVI Foundation\IVI
3. ​Overwrite the IVIConfigurationStore.xml file stored in this directory with the IVIConfigurationStore.xml file previously exported using one of the above methods

Additional Information

To import the IVI configuration, your machine will need the IVI Compliance Package, VISA, and all of the necessary IVI specific drivers installed.

Simply opening a configuration and saving will temporarily import  the configuration into MAX. The configuration will not be saved upon a restart. 

In order to maintain the IVI configuration between reboots you will need to replace the IVI configuration file found in the master location (C:\ProgramData\IVI Foundation\IVI) with your custom IVI configuration files. Doing this ensures that the file that loads when NI MAX opens is your custom configuration.