How to Transfer a Connection File to an Offline InsightCM Device via USB

Issue Details

This article explains how to connect an offline device to the InsightCM Server when the device was added without an IP address and therefore lacks the credentials needed to reach the server. It is also the manual fallback when a Reset Connection fails because the connection port is blocked (see Troubleshooting the InsightCM Test Connection (4 Tests), Test 3).

The procedure applies to InsightCM (all current versions) running on devices that use National Instruments (NI) CompactRIO (cRIO) hardware controllers and supported C Series modules.

Prerequisites

1. A USB flash drive formatted as FAT32.
2. The device connection file (or access to export it from the InsightCM Server).
3. Physical access to the USB port on the controller front panel.
4. Access to the Device Configuration page.

Note: The USB flash drive must be formatted as FAT32. This applies both to transferring the connection file (below) and to applying network/IP settings to the device via a USB drive.

Table of Contents

1. Procedure

2. After the Transfer

Instructions/Solution

1. Procedure

1. Click the Configuration pull-down and select Devices.
2. Locate the device connection file you exported when you added the device to the InsightCM Server.
3. If you did not export a connection file, return to the Device Configuration page and export it:
   1. Select the device.
   2. Open the Action menu and hover over Connection.
   3. Select Export Connection File.

4. Copy the file to a USB drive into a folder named upload at <RootLevel>:\InsightCM.

   Note: If the upload folder does not exist, create it. The filename must use the format DeviceHostname-SerialNumber.json or the device will not read it.

5. Insert the USB drive into the USB port on the controller front panel. The USER1 LED switches from blinking to solid while the device reads the connection file.
6. When the USER1 LED returns to blinking steadily, remove the USB drive.
7. On the Device Configuration page, select the device, open the Action menu, and select Reboot.

2. After the Transfer

After the connection information is transferred, the device automatically connects to the server. It may take several minutes to download configuration files and reboot before it comes online. Click Refresh on the Devices tab to see the latest status.

Outcome

The device reads the connection file, automatically connects to the InsightCM Server, and appears online on the Devices tab after the reboot completes.

Related Articles

How to Deploy and Troubleshoot an InsightCM Device

Troubleshooting the InsightCM Test Connection (4 Tests)

cRIO Status LED and RESET Button Reference

Configuring InsightCM for Wired Vibration Assets — Transferring a Connection File to an Offline Device

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