Solution
NI-VISA License Requirements
To develop or deploy an application using NI-VISA, you need the appropriate NI-VISA license. The method for obtaining a license differs depending on whether you are developing or deploying an application.
NI-VISA Development License
Most NI software and hardware products include an NI-VISA installer as part of the installation program and therefore also include an NI-VISA development license.
Products that include NI-VISA include LabVIEW, CVI, TestStand, NI-488.2, GPIB Controllers, and PXI Controllers. If you are not using NI software or hardware, you can purchase the NI-VISA development software separately.
Table 1 - NI-VISA Development License Requirements
- NI ADE: LabVIEW (Base Package/Development System/Professional Development System), CVI (Base Package/Development System), Measurement Studio (Standard/Professional/Enterprise), etc.
- Third-party ADE: Microsoft Visual Studio (VBasic, C/C++/C#), etc. (Measurement Studio is not used)
- NI Hardware: GPIB, VXI, PXI, DAQ, NI Serial, NI 1394, etc.
- PC Bus: Serial (RS232/RS485/Parallel), Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394, etc.
- Third Party Hardware: Third party GPIB, PXI and VXI bus controllers, does not include PC buses such as Serial, Ethernet, USB or IEEE 1394.
NI-VISA Deployment License
If you want to distribute NI-VISA along with an application that uses NI-VISA, you can review the contents of each deployment system to determine whether a deployment license is required.
An NI-VISA deployment license is included if your deployment system includes any of the following:
- NI Hardware (e.g. GPIB, VXI, PXI, DAQ, etc.)
- NI Software ADE (e.g. LabVIEW Development System, TestStand, etc.)
- Applications built with NI software that communicate over a PC bus and include NI run-time software (for example, a LabVIEW executable (.exe) application that includes the LabVIEW Run-Time Engine to access a PC's serial port)
If your implementation system only includes the following, you will need to pay an additional NI-VISA license fee.
- Third-Party Hardware (Third-Party GPIB, PXI, and VXI hardware. Does not include PC buses such as Serial, Ethernet, USB, or IEEE 1394)
With this deployment license, you may redistribute only the NI-VISA run-time version, except that in deployment systems that include NI ADE/NI hardware, you may also deploy the NI-VISA development software instead.
Table 2 - NI-VISA Deployment License Requirements
- NI ADE: LabVIEW (Base Package/Development System/Professional Development System), CVI (Base Package/Development System), Measurement Studio (Standard/Professional/Enterprise), etc.
- NI Runtime Software: LabVIEW Runtime Engine, CVI Runtime Engine, Measurement Studio Applications, etc.
- Third-party runtime software: Microsoft Visual Studio (VBasic, C/C++/C#), etc. (Measurement Studio is not used)
- NI Hardware: GPIB, VXI, PXI, DAQ, NI Serial, etc. PC Bus: Serial (RS232/RS485/Parallel), Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394, etc.
- Third Party Hardware: Third party GPIB, PXI and VXI bus controllers, does not include PC buses such as Serial, Ethernet, USB and IEEE 1394.
If your deployment system does not meet any of the above requirements, please purchase an NI-VISA deployment license or contact your NI sales department.