Transfer Data Between Two Computers Connected to a Network Using LabVIEW

Issue Details

I have two computers connected to a network (on the same subnet). I want to know about different methods or communication protocols that can be used to transfer data between them when using LabVIEW.

Solution

There are several networking protocols available to accomplish this task. Using the Right Networking Protocol White Paper will guide you through the task of choosing the right protocol for your application. It covers the most common communication models used in control and monitoring applications and recommends networking protocols best suited to each situation based on the configuration, performance, ease of use, etc.

The referenced white paper focuses on three models of communication:

• Command or message-based communication: infrequent information transfer triggered by a specific event.
• Process Data Communication: periodic transfer of the latest values of process variables.
• Streaming/Buffered Communication: streaming data, large amounts of information are sent continuously but not necessarily in real time. 

The white paper also has detailed information on how to implement the different communication protocols, below you can access detailed information on using any of these protocols with LabVIEW:

• TCP and UDP: Basic TCP/IP Communication in LabVIEW.
• Network-published shared variables: Using Network Published Shared Variables to Communicate Between Systems
• Network streams: Lossless Communication with Network Streams: Components, Architecture, and Performance
• Web services: Creating and Accessing a LabVIEW Web Service

Additional Information

If you are looking for a different communication protocol that does not require a network, consider using a bus communication protocol such as serial or CAN to communicate between LabVIEW applications on different computers.