PXIe Modules are not Showing up in MAX with PXIe-1084 or PXIe-1088 Chassis

Issue Details

Using a PXIe-1084 or PXIe-1088 chassis, my PXIe modules are not showing up in MAX. My PXI modules appear in MAX, though.

Solution

1. Ensure the PXI Platform Service driver is at least version 20.0 or newer.
2. Use the attached chassis firmware binary files to update the chassis firmware.
   1. Save the chassis specific binary file to you PC
      1. If you are using a PXIe-1084, save NI_PXIe-1084_fw_20_5_1f0.bin
      2. If you are using a PXIe-1088, save NI_PXIe-1088_fw_20_5_1f0.bin
   2. Open NI-MAX as an Administrator.
      1. Navigate to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
      2. Locate NI-MAX, right click on the NI-MAX icon, select Run as Administrator.
   3. Expand Device and Interfaces and select the PXIe chassis
   4. Click on Update Firmware
      1. 
      2. If NI-MAX isn't full expanded, you may need to scroll over to see the Update Firmware button
         1. 
         2. 
   5. Browse for the saved binary file and click Begin Update
      1. 
   6. Follow the instructions given after the firmware update completes.
      1. "You must perform the following action before the changes take effect: Power down the system and unplug the chassis' power cable. After thirty seconds have passed, plug in the power cable to complete the firmware update."
      2. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Additional Information

With older PXIe-1084 and PXIe-1088 chassis firmware versions, we observed the PCIe switches losing their link the PXIe-8360 remote controller with certain host PCs. This causes PXIe modules to not show up in NI-MAX if they're in a chassis slot that is connected via a PCIe switch on the chassis backplane. This issue does not affect PXI modules. PXI modules will show up correctly in any hybrid slot of the PXIe-1084 and PXIe-1088.

If you are not using a PXIe-8360 and are experiencing connection issues, please review the MXI-Express Compatibility and Connectivity Troubleshooting Guide.

In a PXIe-1084 chassis, all PXIe slots connect to a backplane PCIe switch. This means that with older chassis firmware, a PXIe module has the protentional to not show up in NI-MAX regardless of the slot position when used with a PXIe-8360 remote controller.


In a PXIe-1088 chassis, slots 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9 connect to a backplane PCIe switch. This means that with older chassis firmware, a PXIe module has the protentional to not show up in NI-MAX when in one of these slots and used with a PXIe-8360 remote controller. Slots 4, 6, and 8 have direct connections to the controller. A PXIe module will show up correctly when in one of these slots regardless of controller or chassis firmware version.