Multiple VISAs on the same computer

[Rax]

Hi all,
A while ago I managed - with help from this community - to get going a xyphro USB-GPIB adapter by, among other things, installing the R&S VISA package (in hindsight, I should have done the Keysight or NI package...).

I'm now trying to start using an NI adapter (GPIB-USB-A). I assume I may only need the drivers part of the NI package (which seems massive), but leaving that aside for a moment, the NI package seems to need to install its own VISA (which makes complete sense). In doing so, it's finding the R&S VISA present, and it wants to rename it.

Any recommendations? I'm concerned I'll lose the ability to use my xyphro adapter. But if not too difficult, I'd rather replace the R&S VISA, as I don't estimate I'll ever need to control an R&S instrument at my bench.

Thank you all for your insight.

[coromonadalix]

xyphro USB-GPIB adapter   is usbtmc based interface, it is not a pure Visa interface,  i have such an adapter and RS Visa works fine for me

i dont mix Ni or Keysight librairies, but RS visa let you choose the driver you want ...

but if you have usb or lan interfaces on your instrument i would switch over them ...

[Rax]

coromonadalix,
If I follow your point, it seems to me you're saying I should be able to run the NI GPIB-USB-A with the R&S VISA package, by only getting specific drivers installed? If yes, could you please elaborate on that solution?

I only have two choices for interfaces with the instruments, both GPIB to USB. Ideally, I'd run everything over wifi (my whole house is between my modem/router/server and the bench). But I think that's a whole other proposition, so I don't think I can currently go that way. Unless there's some simple and affordable solutions I'm not aware of.

[pdenisowski]

I have both R&S VISA and NI VISA installed on the same machine, mostly to use NI USB-GPIB adapters.  Have never had an issue: just did the default install for both and everything worked with no additional install, tweaking, etc.

[Rax]

I have both R&S VISA and NI VISA installed on the same machine, mostly to use NI USB-GPIB adapters.  Have never had an issue: just did the default install for both and everything worked with no additional install, tweaking, etc.

Can you share more details, if a recent installation? For instance, having already installed the R&S VISA package (for the purpose of making a xyphro USB-GPIB work, which it did), when I try installing the NI at this later time, it's trying to rename the R&S (quoting the warning from memory). Have you had this happen? If yes, was it harmless to devices using the R&S VISA?

I'm curious if, for instance, in my case, allowing for this renaming during the ulterior NI install to happen would effectively switch over the default VISA for the xyphro to the NI (which, if the xyphro continues working undisturbed, I'd not mind at all).

[Rax]

I don't fully understand how the VISA environment works, but is it the case that, every time one installs a second VISA package on a system, it tries to overlap in some way over the old?

I'm not sure why different VISAs don't seem to just install alongside each other, where each of the corresponding devices (for instance a Keysight VISA + Agilent 82357, NI VISA + NI USB-GPIB-A, etc.) would just use the matching VISA to work.

[pdenisowski]

Can you share more details, if a recent installation? For instance, having already installed the R&S VISA package (for the purpose of making a xyphro USB-GPIB work, which it did), when I try installing the NI at this later time, it's trying to rename the R&S (quoting the warning from memory). Have you had this happen? If yes, was it harmless to devices using the R&S VISA?

Honestly, I can't remember which order I installed them in, but it looks like I have both NI VISA 21.0.0. and RS VISA 7.2.3 installed, and you can see in the screenshot that my USB-GPIB adapter / analyzer is recognized with no issues (a non-analyzer USB-GPIB adapter also works fine).  As someone else posted, the R&S VISA installation allows you to select which installed VISA to use.

Sorry I can't tell you much more than that - I'm a VISA user, not a VISA developer   Hope some of that is helpful!

[tautech]

In many cases for just NIVISA drivers just the NIVISA Runtime package is required.
Much smaller @ just some 100MB.

[Rax]

Here's what the NI install is telling me it needs to do (see image below).

[pdenisowski]

Hmmm ... maybe install NI VISA first, then R&S VISA?  I get the feeling that the R&S VISA is more "tolerant" of multiple VISA installs.

[Tony_G]

I've never installed the R&S VISA libs but for the Keysight IO Suite & Rigol VISA, the order that has always worked for me is to install the NI one first and then install the others as "secondary" installs.

TonyG

[Rax]

The only reason I have the R&S VISA is because I needed some/any VISA to use the xyphro adapter with this system, and I was at the time directed to install the R&S, as it's smaller etc.

So I don't really need it at all, other than that I can currently use the xyphro on basis of it. So if I could just remove the R&S VISA with some certainly that, once I install the NI the xyphro would just continue working, I'll happily do that. But I have absolutely no interest in the R&S VISA by itself. I have only one R&S instrument, and it's actually listed to be sold.

My problem is one of order of installations (which I can't reverse now), where I installed R&S first and now I'm trying to install the NI second.

I think I'll just try to remove the R&S VISA and install the NI VISA, and see if my xyphro still works as before.

[coromonadalix]

rs visa to my knowledge accept running with other visa brand,  you can choose from witch one you want, at least i had a choice, and i keep rs visa, works fine for me  and keysight meters ...

i can not spit on Keysight visa, they have some good tools in their i/o librairies ... ,  but  man their package are too big ... NI too   pff


@RAX   to be sure you have to check   witch one suit your need, i gave my 2 cents on my setup,  may not act like yours ... i have  2x Xyphro   no complaints, there is a latest update  to install in them,   see the xyphro github  ...

[Rax]

I'm just figuring "uninstalling R&S VISA" is not as simple as it seemed. When I installed it, I used https://scdn.rohde-schwarz.com/ur/pws/dl_downloads/dl_application/application_notes/1dc02___rs_v/RS_VISA_Setup_Win_7_2_2.exe.

I'm seeing a whole scaffolding of "IVI Foundation" stuff in my Program Files (both 32/64), which I think are components of the R&S VISA environment. When researching how to uninstall the R&S VISA, there's a mention of an "uninstall manager in the control panel." I don't have a Control Panel.

Is anyone familiar with removing the R&S VISA from a system?

[Rax]

Well, maybe "duh!," as the R&S VISA literature could have meant the Windows Control Panel, not some R&S CP.

I may have been thrown off also because for work, I'm using programs that embed their own uninstaller, as they are massive enough relying on the Windows uninstaller is far from satisfactory. Especially if new versions with their own libraries, etc., need to get onto the same system.