16
Keysight M9506A AXIe Chassis Startup Guide
Step 4: Set Up the Host PC
Hardware Connections to the Host PC
Physical connections to the host PC may include monitor, mouse, and keyboard;
LAN and/or PCIe (to the AXIe chassis); and corporate LAN. Make the following
connections as needed.
For Local Control
If you need local access to the host PC, connect a monitor, mouse, and keyboard.
From M9506A AXIe Chassis to the Host PC
The connection between the chassis and the host PC may vary depending on
whether you’re performing chassis turn-on or using the chassis in production:
- Initial Turn-on and Verification:
Keysight recommends that you make a
LAN-only connection to the chassis for initial turn-on — this is the simplest
connection and doesn’t require installation of a PCIe Host Adapter card in the
host PC. The host PC can either be connected directly to the ESM with a
crossover Gigabit Ethernet cable, or can be connected through your network
with a straight Ethernet cable.
- Continuous Run for Production:
If you’re using PCIe modules in the chassis,
use the chassis PCIe interface. This requires installing a PCIe adapter card in
the host PC. As described in section
“M9506A AXIe Chassis System Block
on page 6, the PCIe interface may be used to access both the slot
PCIe interfaces and the slot Gb interfaces. However, the chassis LAN interface
cannot access the slot PCIe interfaces.
For PCIe cable recommendations, see
“Specific PCIe Adapter and Cable
on page 17. The PCIe adapter card may require that you
load its device driver for your Windows environment, perhaps before installing
the adapter card. Follow the adapter vendor’s installation instructions.
Alternately, use a Thunderbolt 3 cable to connect the host PC to the chassis.
Using the Thunderbolt 3 connection disables the ESM PCIe cable ports.
Except where noted, connections between the host PC and the chassis
Embedded System Module (ESM) should be made with both the PC and chassis
powered off.
As shown on the
M9506A System Block Diagram (Graphic)
on page 8, an Intel
network interface controller (NIC) connects to the PCIe switch in the chassis.
The NIC appears to the PC as if it is installed in the PC itself. Therefore, an Intel
network driver must be installed on the PC in order for PCIe interface
communications through the NIC to work.
