ICSnet for NI-3100 retro-fittable?

AVOPHILE wrote:

Can the "daughter card" for ICSnet be retro-fit to an NI-3100 if you need it later?

It is an option, but I think you are supposed to order this up front. Perhaps a return to the factory for a retrofit is possible. I will post again if this a field upgradable option.

AVOPHILE wrote:

Does anybody know why this previously-standard NI-3000 feature was made optional on the NI-3100 with a price increase?

The memory was doubled and processor speed increased to offset the cost of the missing ICSNet connections. So without the ISCNet option the price of an NI-2100/3100 is the same.

It is my understanding that ICSNet is not used that much any more. From a technical standpoint, I actually like the bus for expanding a system. Despite Ethernet being a standard, a dedicated control bus like ISCNet has an advantage for transmitting data between control nodes.

We had a NI2100 show up here without the ICSNet option installed. I called tech support and they sent me the card. It was not had to install but after installing the card the master would not power up. The NI part would come on but the master would not. So tech support just ended up sending me a new master with ICSNet already installed.

Frankie