Can I Change the NI-DAQmx Driver Version on My NI Linux Real-Time System?

Issue Details

• I have added and installed a card to my PXI Real-Time (RT) system that requires a newer version of the DAQmx drivers. How do I upgrade or downgrade versions of DAQmx on my RT controller without formatting it?
• When I check my RT target on NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (NI MAX), I can see the specific version of the NI-DAQmx driver by expanding the Software tab. Is it possible to upgrade or downgrade this version?

Solution

The NI-DAQmx driver version will be associated with the Linux Real-Time Base Image installed on the target. You can check the current Linux RT base image and driver version on NI MAX by right-clicking the Software tab under your RT target and selecting Add/Remove Software.

The NI-DAQmx driver version can be modified by changing (upgrading or downgrading) the Base System Image. This process will require formatting the target, so there is no option to change the NI-DAQmx driver version without changing the Base System Image

Changing the Base System Image

1. Identify the NI-DAQmx version required. In general, the driver version will match the Linux RT Base System Image required. For example:
   1. NI-DAQmx 2025 Q1 (25.0) -> Linux RT System Image 2025 Q1
   2. NI-DAQmx 2025 Q2 (25.3) -> Linux RT System Image 2025 Q2
   3. NI-DAQmx 2025 Q3 (25.5) -> Linux RT System Image 2025 Q3
   4. NI-DAQmx 2025 Q4 (25.8) -> Linux RT System Image 2025 Q4
2. Click the configuration button next to the Base System Image.

2. Select the desired Base System Image. The options listed here (in this case, 2026 Q1 & and 2025 Q1) depend on the images installed in the host PC through the NI Linux RT System Image. You can add additional images using NI Package Manager (NIPM). Check the How to Install NI Software Using NI Package Manager (NIPM) article for additional details.

3. Press OK and then Format. 

3. Once the 4 steps above are completed, you can select the Programming Environment, and then you will see the new NI-DAQmx driver version available. For this example, the Linux RT System Image 2025 Q1 was selected with LabVIEW 2025 as the programming environment.

Additional Information

• This process applies to any NI driver or package available in our Linux RT Base Images. 
• You can check the specific driver/package version available with any Linux RT Base Image on the online Linux RT repository.