Remote Booting a PXI System That Installed NI Linux RT

Updated Jun 19, 2024

Environment

Hardware

  • PXI Controller

Operating System

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

Other

  • Wake On LAN from Aquila Technology

You have a PXI remote system with NI Linux RT and you're trying to boot the remote system by using Wake On LAN technology. This step by step guideline will help you tackle this issue directly from the BIOS.

Preparation
  1. For the first time setup, it is recommended to directly connect the host PC and the remote system with a ethernet cable, rather than through a router or other medium (such as WiFi).
  2. This action is to ensure that the connection won't be affected by network firewall or other settings.

Part 1 Set up the Remote System
  1. Verify that the Ethernet port of the PXI controller supports Wake On LAN.
    • The Ethernet Port 0 (Ethernet Port 0) is the only port that supports Wake On LAN in most of NI's PXI controllers, please refer to the PXI controller manual for details.
    • For example: PXIE-8861 Front Panel Connectors >> Ethernet Port 0 description can support Wake On LAN.
  2. Connect the monitor and keyboard to the PXI controller
  3. Log in to the PXI system, the default combination are:
    • Username: admin
    • Password: (leave blank)
  4. Enter the ifconfig command, the system will display the network card information on the PXI system
    • eno1 refers to Ethernet Port 0 (Ethernet Port 0).                                              Captura.PNG
    • IP address: 169.XXX.XX.76
    • MAC address: 00:XX:XX:XX:XX:54
    • Broadcast address: 169.XXX.XXX.255
    • All the X shown in the MAC, IP and Broadcast addresses represent alphanumeric case by case specific characters that are blurred from the images as privacy disclosure.
  5. Enter the ethtool [Ethernet port] command
    • Example: ethtool eno1                                                      Captura6.PNG
  6. Make sure Wake-on is g, which stands for great
    • If it is d, enter the command ethtool -s [Ethernet port] wol g
    • Example: ethtool -s eno1 wol g
  7. Enter the command below to shut down remote system.
    • /sbin/shutdown -P -h now
  8. Click the power button of the PXI chassis to restart remote system then click the Delete key continuously to enter the BIOS.
  9. In BIOS, select Advanced >> Power/Wake Configuration >>Restore After Power Loss, select Turn On.
    • This option is to ensure that if there's a sudden power outage, the chassis will automatically supply power to the Ethernet ports once power returns to normal.                                    image (1).pngimage (2).png
  10. Go to the tab named Save & Exit >> Save Changes and Reset to save the settings and exit the BIOS.

Part 2 Set up the Host PC
  1. In this article, third-party software Wake On LAN (WoL) from Aquila Technology is used. User can choose other third-party Wake On LAN software.
  2. Download Aquila Technology's WakeOnLAN software on the host PC.
  3. Download link: WakeOnLAN - WakeOnLAN (aquilatech.com) >> Download >> WakeOnLAN >> WakeOnLAN_(version number).exe (GitHub)
  4. Click File >> New Host to add the remote system                                                                                                                                                                            7.png                                                        
  5. Set up the remote system according to point 4 in Part 1 Set up the Remote System (the information displayed by ifconfig)
    • Name: Fill in any name
    • MAC address: MAC address of the remote system
    • Send WOL to: select Broadcast IP
    • Broadcast: Broadcast address of the remote system
    • FQDN/IP: IP address of the remote system
    • UDP Port: 9 (default)
    • TTL: 128 (default)
    • Repeat: 1                                                                                                                                                           8.pngCaptura2.PNG
  6. If the remote system has been started, the screen will show that the remote system is online. Captura3.PNG 

Now can test to wake up remote system in the Wake on LAN software.
  1. Make sure the remote system is turned off.                                                                                                                   Captura4.PNG
  2. Right-click the icon and select Wake Up.                                                                                                                     Captura5.PNG