Shutdown NI Linux Real-Time Devices Programmatically

Updated Nov 18, 2022

Environment

Hardware

  • CompactRIO Controller
  • PXI Controller

Operating System

  • LabVIEW Real-Time (NI Linux Real-Time)

Other

  • NI Linux Real-Time targets

How can I shutdown NI Linux Real-Time devices via software commands?

You can use the Call Library Function node to call into a standard installed library glibc on your Linux Real-Time device. Libc.so.6 is a standard Linux library utility and exists on generic Linux systems. The lvuser by default has the priorities enabled to be able to run this. 

There are two ways to reference this library:
  • Note that "libc.so.6" is the soname of the library and it is possible to use libc.so.6 as the path element to the Call Library Function node to load the library without needing to specify the full path. This maintains compatibility across future glibc versions.
  • Alternatively, you can choose to call a specific libc.X.XX.so by a specific filepath.
An example VI of how to structure your shutdown VI is attached and will look like the following:

LabVIEW_4ioRApFY7U.png
  • This is calling into the function name "reboot" with a "cmd" I32 parameter.
  • The command 4321FEDC is to shutdown the device.

If you are using a full filepath, you can check the libc-x.xx.so file that is on your device, by accessing files > lib (ARM) or lib64 (Intel)libc-x.xx.so as shown below. 

To see how to access files on your device, refer to: Using WebDAV to Transfer Files to Real-Time Target
 

Additional Information

Because of the flash-based hardware on NI Linux Real-Time devices, it is highly recommended to shutdown the device before loss of battery power. You can refer to Under the Hood of NI Linux Real-Time for more information on how to access the Linux Real-Time command line via LabVIEW.

If you wish to shut the Linux Real-Time target remotely but not programmatically, it is also possible to do this manually through SSH.
More information about the options used in this command can be found here.