IO Libraries Suite Downloads

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2024 Update 2

This version continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Various minor defect fixes.

What's new?:

• Added checks for prerequisites in the main IO Libraries Suite (IOLS) installer. This ensures that all necessary dependencies are installed before the main software. 
• Improved PXI enumeration times on large systems. Systems with multiple chassis, like the six-chassis setup, will now complete PXI enumeration more efficiently, reducing delays caused by repetitive device enumeration during initialization.

Known Issues:

• The Main installer can get stuck at the "Checking for prerequisities" stage if there is a "IVI Shared Components x.x.x" version older than 3.0.0 already present on the computer. To resolve this, uninstall "IVI Shared Components x.x.x" from Control Panel and rerun the Prerequisite installer which would install "IVI Shared Components 3.0.0". Reboot and then run the Main Installer.
• Delinea tool for administrator privilege management causes installation, upgrade and uninstallation interference. 

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Ivi.Visa.Interop.dll is missing in the 32-bit VISA COM applications
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• The workarounds to resolve the issue is as follows:
  • Install .NET Framework 3.5
    
  • Uninstall VISA shared component
    
  • Repair IO Library Suite to install VISA shared component
• Another way to fix the issue is as follows:
  • Open Visual Studio developer command window with elevated privilege 
    
  • Change to C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom\Primary Interop Assemblies
  • Run "IviPiaRegistration.bat"

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2024 Update 1

This version continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Various minor defect fixes.

What's new?:

• Installation process has undergone a major change going to InstallBuilder-based from InstallShield-based that was used in prior versions to this. Now there will be two installers: Prerequisite Installer and Main Installer. Consult the Release Notes for more details.
  
• Anonymous Secure Socket connection support.
• Addition of new VISA attribute VI_KTATTR_TCPIP_SASL_PASSWORD.
• Addition of a New VISA Utility to manage primary and secondary 32-bit VISA installation. Consult the Release Notes for more details.
• IO Monitor View Enhancements. Consult the Release Notes for more details.
• Not supported or tested in Windows 7 (all service pack versions) or Windows 8/8.1. 

Known Issues:

• Delinea tool for administrator privilege management causes installation, upgrade and uninstallation interference. 
• Discovery issues with Streamline Series VNAs using both USB or Thunderbolt interfaces.
• Upgrading to this version causes loss of previously configured instruments in Connection Expert. Please add those instruments back after installation.

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Ivi.Visa.Interop.dll is missing in the 32-bit VISA COM applications
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• The workarounds to resolve the issue is as follows:
  • Install .NET Framework 3.5
    
  • Uninstall VISA shared component
    
  • Repair IO Library Suite to install VISA shared component
• Another way to fix the issue is as follows:
  • Open Visual Studio developer command window with elevated privilege 
    
  • Change to C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom\Primary Interop Assemblies
  • Run "IviPiaRegistration.bat"

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2024

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2024 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Resolved issue related to the M9537A Chassis displaying inaccurate information in the Keysight Connection Expert. The underlying issue, a legacy issue with the M9506A system module driver, was resolved by assigning the lowest child system module to the chassis in the cascade relationship.
• Resolved defect in ktvisa32.cs causing build errors for 32-bit applications in IOLS 2023 and 2023 Update 1. The fix involves changing attribute values to signed 32-bit, ensuring compatibility.
• Resolved critical defect causing Keysight PSS IC-CAP & WaferPro Express crashes on Linux with PCI-GPIB card.
• Resolved defect blocking keyboard interrupts during USB INSTR sessions. The issue, specific to USB INSTR and caused by a handler problem in the SetConsoleCtrlHandler API, is resolved in this version.
• Resolved USB plug-and-play detection issue for composite USB-PXI instruments like N7731C.

What's new?:

• KDI utility updated from version 3.2 to 3.4
• Removed installation of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables 2008, 2010, 2012 (x86/x64) as a prerequisite.
• Not supported or tested in Windows 7 (all service pack versions) or Windows 8/8.1. The Release Notes and Help File have mistakes and do not document this correctly.

Known Issues:

• Running a repair with this installer has unexpected behavior. If you have a side-by-side installation with NI-VISA and 32-bit Keysight VISA is secondary, running a repair would make 32-bit Keysight VISA primary without any warnings or prompts. Do not run a repair with IOLS 2024's installer if you have other vendor's VISA installed. Only use the Modify or Uninstall options on the installer.

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Ivi.Visa.Interop.dll is missing in the 32-bit VISA COM applications
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• The workarounds to resolve the issue is as follows:
  • Install .NET Framework 3.5
    
  • You can install .NET Framework 3.5 using the IO Libraries Suite installer with the net35 directive. For example: IOLibSuite_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
  • Uninstall VISA shared component
  • Repair IO Library Suite to install VISA shared component
• Another way to fix the issue is as follows:
  • Open Visual Studio developer command window with elevated privilege 
    
  • Change to C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom\Primary Interop Assemblies
  • Run "IviPiaRegistration.bat"

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2023 Update 1

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2023 Update 1 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Resolved the issue with viLock failing to maintain an exclusive session lock on PXI instruments. Fixed viUnlock throwing an error (VI_ERROR_SESN_NLOCKED) when the session lock was still active.
  
• Resolved the issue with KIIS continuously occupying port numbers in Windows 7 SP1, ensuring proper port management and preventing conflicts with other applications or services.
• Enhanced performance of VISA-COM APIs for LAN communication.
• Reduced the processing time taken by the viReadSTB function for USBTMC instruments.
• Fixed security risk in the electron version of secure-config-client.
• Fixed the issue related to detecting the visa32.dll file in IOLS 2023.
• Improved USB-PXI Discovery Server to reduce CPU load.

What's new?:

• Introduced KCCS a WebSocket API gateway to the IOLS Discovery Service.
  
• Introduced ARM64EC support for IO Libraries Suite VISA
• Updated KDIC to version 3.2
• Not recommended for use in Windows 7 (all service packs). Some features or services may not work as expected.

Known Issues:

• None

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Ivi.Visa.Interop.dll is missing in the 32-bit VISA COM applications
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• The workarounds to resolve the issue is as follows:
  • Install .NET Framework 3.5
    
  • You can install .NET Framework 3.5 using the IO Libraries Suite installer with the net35 directive. For example: IOLibSuite_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
  • Uninstall VISA shared component
  • Repair IO Library Suite to install VISA shared component
• Another way to fix the issue is as follows:
  • Open Visual Studio developer command window with elevated privilege 
    
  • Change to C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom\Primary Interop Assemblies
  • Run "IviPiaRegistration.bat"

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2023

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2023 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• The newly improved ASRL Options screen provides toggle options for enabling or disabling ASRL sticky behavior and auto-discovery.
  

What's new?:

• Added support for Windows 11 systems
  
• Added KDI component as part of the IOLS installation
• Enhanced authentication mechanism:
  • Added SCRAM authentication mechanism for HiSLIP secure connection
  • Enhanced authentication mechanism that assimilates secure configuration data from SIC Expert
• Enhanced VISA Interfaces with the implementation of the VISA specification v7.2
  • Added new PXI attributes for VISA-C, VISA.NET and VISA-COM
  • Added secure connection support for VISA-C, VISA.NET, and VISA-COM
• Enhanced Connection Expert user interface:
  • The newly improved Lan instrument Add/Edit screen,
    • allows the addition of multiple HiSLIP addresses
      
    • shows the connection status of an instrument (a green lock indicates a secure connection whereas a grey lock indicates the connection is not secure).
  • Added HTTPS support for the instrument web page
    
  • VISA Shared Component version 7.2
    
• VXI interface is not supported on Windows 8 or Windows 11
• Not recommended for use in Windows 7 (all service packs). Some features or services may not work as expected.
  

Known Issues:

• None

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Ivi.Visa.Interop.dll is missing in the 32-bit VISA COM applications
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• The workarounds to resolve the issue is as follows:
  • Install .NET Framework 3.5
    
  • You can install .NET Framework 3.5 using the IO Libraries Suite installer with the net35 directive. For example: IOLibSuite_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
  • Uninstall VISA shared component
  • Repair IO Library Suite to install VISA shared component
• Another way to fix the issue is as follows:
  • Open Visual Studio developer command window with elevated privilege 
    
  • Change to C:\Program Files (x86)\IVI Foundation\VISA\VisaCom\Primary Interop Assemblies
  • Run "IviPiaRegistration.bat"

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022 Update 2

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022 Update 2 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• None

What's new?:

• Removed support for Data Analytics
  

Known Issues:

• None

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Just as Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021, users are no longer forced to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 during installation. 
• Users can choose to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 when they run the installer silently and with an additional command line switch. For example: IOLibSuiteInstaller_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• You may need to install .NET Framework 3.5 for 32-bit VISA applications to work. 
  

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022 Update 1

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022 Update 1 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• None

What's new?:

• Raised VISA session limit from 255 to 1023 concurrent sessions at a time.
  

Known Issues:

• None

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Just as Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021, users are no longer forced to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 during installation. 
• Users can choose to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 when they run the installer silently and with an additional command line switch. For example: IOLibSuiteInstaller_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• You may need to install .NET Framework 3.5 for 32-bit VISA applications to work. 
  

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2022 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Upgraded VISA Shared Component to version 7.1.1. This should fix the VISA-COM backward compatibility issue.

What's new?:

• Added support for Thunderbolt Port connection with P50xxB/P93xxB Streamline Series VNA products.
• Please refer to the P50xxB & P93xxB release notes for a list of supported PC models for this Thunderbolt Port connection.

Known Issues:

• You must install the VNA software before connecting the P50xxB/P93xxB Streamline Series VNAs, or else the chassis may appear under the PXI10 interface in Connection Expert.

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Just as Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021, users are no longer forced to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 during installation. 
• Users can choose to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 when they run the installer silently and with an additional command line switch. For example: IOLibSuiteInstaller_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• You may need to install .NET Framework 3.5 for 32-bit VISA applications to work. 
  

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021 Update 1

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021 Update 1 continues support for features described in the previous versions but with the following changes.

Defect fixes:

• Fixed some issues related to the PXI system (while it's connected). 

Known Issues:

• There is a backwards compatibility issue with VISA Shared Components 7.1 and Keysight Instrument or Measurement software that utilize the instrument’s IVI-COM drivers. If you have this set up, do not update to IOLS 2021. IOLS 2020 U1 that has VISA Shared Components 5.12 does not have this issue. We are currently working with IVI.org and other test and measurement vendors to resolve the issue. 

Notes on .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 and Known Issues:

• Just as Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021, users are no longer forced to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 during installation. 
• Users can choose to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 when they run the installer silently and with an additional command line switch. For example: IOLibSuiteInstaller_version.exe /s /z"typical;net35"
• If users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.
• You may need to install .NET Framework 3.5 for 32-bit VISA applications to work. 
  

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021

Keysight IO Libraries Suite 2021 adds support for secure instrument communication:

• Support HiSLIP (IVI-6.1) Revision 2.0
• Support VISA (VPP-4.3) Revision 7.1
• VISA Shared Components - Upgrade to 7.1

Another important change included is that users are no longer forced to install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0 during installation. Users can choose to install this when they run the installer.

However, if users want to use VISA.NET drivers which are provided by the IVI Organization rather than Keysight Technologies, Inc., then they must install .NET Framework 3.5/2.0.

Defect fixes:

• A PXIe module interoperability issue is fixed. With this fix, Keysight VISA can properly handle other vendor's PXIe modules when Keysight PXI Resource Manager is not the active one.
• An interrupt handling issue with HiSLIP devices is fixed. 

Known issue:

• There is a backwards compatibility issue with VISA Shared Components 7.1 and Keysight Instrument or Measurement software that utilize the instrument’s IVI-COM drivers. If you have this set up, do not update to IOLS 2021. IOLS 2020 U1 that has VISA Shared Components 5.12 does not have this issue. We are currently working with IVI.org and other test and measurement vendors to resolve the issue.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication provides a secure way to control instruments using HiSLIP protocol revision 2.0 (r2). HiSLIP r2 enables secure connections, which are achieved using the Transport Layer Security (TLS) for encryption and decryption. HiSLIP r2 also enables authentication: the server (instrument) authenticates its identity by sending an X.509 certificate to the client (VISA library) when the TLS connection is established. The client authenticates to the server using a server-supported SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) mechanism.

The challenges to establish a secure connection are: how to proffer the required certificates and authentication information, how to authenticate server/client mutually, and how to configure server/client compatibly, etc.

To overcome the challenges and support secure communication between instruments and test stations, Keysight is providing updates to certain instruments and Keysight IO Libraries Suite. Keysight also provides a configuration tool called Keysight Secure Instrument Communication (SIC) Expert to configure both instruments and test stations to perform secure communication.

Keysight Secure Instrument Communication system consists of three main elements:

• Keysight instrument that supports SIC
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite (installed on test station)
• Keysight Secure Instrument Communication Expert (SIC Expert)

IO Libraries Suite 2020 Update 1 offers two significant changes from the previous software version:

• It fixes the discovery process for the 1394-VXI interface when the VXI system is using MXI connections.
• It fixes the memory leaking issues in the Keysight Instrument Discovery Service and LxiMdnsBrowser.

The remaining enhancements in this list were made for IO Libraries Suite 2020.

• General performance enhancements.
• VISA Shared Components - Upgrade to 5.12.
• Support for GPIB drivers with Windows 10 Device Guard.
• Bug fixes and minor enhancements including:
  • When NI is the primary resource manager, Connection Expert now reports all NI PXI modules.
  • On systems with NI VISA, an install repair operation completes fully.
  • When the NI PXI system module is used with Keysight Resource Manager as the primary resource manager, the full address of the system module is now reported correctly.
  • Serial instrument detection is fixed.
  • Following an upgrade, the GPIB instrument list is properly refreshed.
  • Checking status on a LAN instrument completes without interrupting instrument discovery.
  • Serial ports, which were not displaying in Connection Expert in certain configurations, are now visible.
  • Following an upgrade, the GPIB instrument list is properly refreshed.
  • Checking status on a LAN instrument completes without interrupting instrument discovery.
  • Serial ports, which were not displaying in Connection Expert in certain configurations, are now visible.

IO Libraries Suite 2020 provides several enhancements:

• General performance enhancements.
• VISA Shared Components - Upgrade to 5.12.
• Support for GPIB drivers with Windows 10 Device Guard.
• Bug fixes and minor enhancements including:

When NI is the primary resource manager, Connection Expert now reports all NI PXI    modules.

On systems with NI VISA, an install repair operation completes fully.

When the NI PXI system module is used with Keysight Resource Manager as the primary resource manager, the full address of the system module is now reported correctly.

Serial instrument detection is fixed.

Following an upgrade, the GPIB instrument list is properly refreshed.

Checking status on a LAN instrument completes without interrupting instrument discovery.

Serial ports, which were not displaying in Connection Expert in certain configurations, are now visible.

IO Libraries Suite 2019 Update 1 provides several enhancements:

• Enhanced USB-PXI discovery to better handle slow module initialization.
• Enhanced AXIe chassis support.
• Added back SICL library support of Visual Basic 6.
• Fixed a PXIe interoperability issue.
• Fixed an issue with Keysight Connection Expert reporting of floating PXI modules.

IO Libraries Suite 2019 provides several enhancements:

• Enhanced discovery capabilities:
  • Software servers: IO Libraries Suite can now discover measurement software that has SCPI servers, without any user interaction. Discovered software servers will be displayed in Connection Expert - Instrument View.
  • Hardware servers: IO Libraries Suite now discovers SCPI servers for modular (PXIe/AXIe) instruments that support SCPI communication, providing an additional VISA address in the modular instrument details.
• Connection Expert now displays additional details for PXIe instruments that have multi-slot, multi-link or multi-endpoint configurations
• Shared components – VISA and VISA.NET shared components have been upgraded to 5.11.
• Support for Windows Server 2016. 

IO Libraries Suite 2018 Update 1.0 provides several enhancements:

• Support for E1406A GPIB to VXI on Windows 7 and Windows 10
• Includes the following IVI Foundation shared components:
  • VISA Shared Components 5.10
  • IVI Shared Components 2.5
  • IVI.NET Shared Components 1.4
• The IO Libraries installer is now a single executable and not a self-extracting zip file.
   

IO Libraries Suite 2018 Update 0.2 fixes the following defects:

• IO Libraries Suite installer would hang if other applications were doing I/O (47826)
• Some Keysight PXIe cards were not enumerated correctly (47887)
• Keysight VISA was unable to report all PXI devices with viFindRsrc (47825)
• The Connection Expert Chassis tab showed incorrect addresses for some PXI modules (47615)
• Connection Expert was unable to set LU values of 14, 15, 17, or 18 on Keysight USB/GPIB adapters (47886)
• Keysight VISA connections failed when using the VXI-11.2 protocol (47877)
   

Several defects were fixed, including:

• Connection Expert would hang on the Loading Instruments... screen (46901)
• Connection Expert would hang if internet access was unavailable (47661)
• Automatically scanning for PXI devices, after initial boot, has been disabled to fix a defect where PXI configuration could get lost on large systems (47698)

IO Libraries Suite 2018 adds support for the following features:

• E8491B FireWire to VXI on Windows 10

A number of defects were fixed, including:

• Issues that caused crashes in:
  • Connection Expert (44266, 44271, 44274)
  • Various I/O services and tools when "FIPS compliant algorithms” was enabled (44410)
  • Interactive IO if too much data was transferred (46070)
  • PXI Resource Manager if defective PXI drivers were encountered (45871)
• Some issues where the Discovery Service and Connection Expert would become unresponsive (44459)
• Issue where IO Monitor might display different timestamps if a log is opened on different systems (41227)
• A PXI issue where aliases were only returned if they were defined on the “Legacy” form of the PXI VISA address (44140)
• Issue where updating the Active PXI Resource Manager could cause other vendors to lock the configuration.ini file incorrectly (41367)
• Various other defects

The following enhancements were made to address defects:

• The PXI Resource Manager now monitors for new devices for 5 minutes after boot (44265)
• Added the ability to copy data out of IO Monitor to the clipboard (41272)
• Added an option in IO Monitor to “Automatically Capture Messages on Startup” (44685)
   

IO Libraries Suite 2017 includes the following features:

• Fixed several stability issues that could cause Connection Expert to crash.
• Fixed an issue where LAN connections would open twice as many sockets as needed.
• Fixed an issue where aliases didn’t work on all PXI addresses.
• Fixed an issue where PXI configuration.ini was reset to defaults during installation.
• Added the ability to set the Method to “User Selected” for the PXI Resource Manager.
• See readme for complete list of defect fixes

IO Libraries Suite 2017 includes the following features:

• Newly redesigned user interface to quickly get you to the most common tasks
• Simplified use model to ensure common tasks are easy to find and use
• Updated IO Monitor to allow for filtering by address

17.3 includes the following features:

• Peer To Peer (P2P) Streaming support. P2P Streaming allows data transfer between two PXI modules without the data going through the host controller. This minimizes the data transfer latency. Keysight internal use only, not documented.
• Soft Front Panel (SFP) changes for IVI.NET drivers. Keysight internal use only, not documented.
• Other improvements and defects corrected as necessary.

17.2 Update 2 includes several defect fixes:

• Fixed an NI-VISA compatibility issue where NI MAX would sometimes report a “VISA Error” when IO Libraries Suite 17.x was installed on the same system.
• Fixed a problem with renumbering PXI chassis.
• Fixed a problem with Connection Expert’s Chassis Trigger interface where the blue arrows did not work as expected.

... 17.2 Update 1 included the following defect fixes:

• On some systems IO Libraries Suite 17.2 would not install. This issue has been fixed.
• On some systems Connection Expert would crash when it was launched. This issue has been fixed.
• An alias is now created automatically for each newly-discovered USB instrument.
• Several errors have been corrected in the VISA.NET help file.

... as well as all of the IO Libraries Suite 17.2 Features:

• Keysight IO Libraries Suite is now supported on Microsoft Windows 10 (including Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education).
• The new VISA.NET API is designed specifically for .NET CLS-compliant languages such as C# and VB.NET. See the new VISA.NET Help, available from the IO Control, for details about VISA.NET.
• Keysight Connection Expert includes a new Chassis Trigger view, where you can reserve PXI trigger lines and create routes.
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite 17.2 includes the IVI Foundation's VISA Shared Components 5.6.0 and VISA.NET Shared Components 5.6.0
• IO Libraries Suite 17.2 also provides improvements in performance and stability. Instrument discovery is now a two-phase process, to reduce the effective boot time.
   

17.2 Update 1 includes several defect fixes:

• On some systems IO Libraries Suite 17.2 would not install. This issue has been fixed.
• On some systems Connection Expert would crash when it was launched. This issue has been fixed.
• An alias is now created automatically for each newly-discovered USB instrument.
• Several errors have been corrected in the VISA.NET help file.

... as well as all of the IO Libraries Suite 17.2 Features:

• Keysight IO Libraries Suite is now supported on Microsoft Windows 10 (including Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education).
• The new VISA.NET API is designed specifically for .NET CLS-compliant languages such as C# and VB.NET. See the new VISA.NET Help, available from the IO Control, for details about VISA.NET.
• Keysight Connection Expert includes a new Chassis Trigger view, where you can reserve PXI trigger lines and create routes.
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite 17.2 includes the IVI Foundation's VISA Shared Components 5.6.0 and VISA.NET Shared Components 5.6.0
• IO Libraries Suite 17.2 also provides improvements in performance and stability. Instrument discovery is now a two-phase process, to reduce the effective boot time.
   

• Keysight IO Libraries Suite is now supported on Microsoft Windows 10 (including Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education).
• The new VISA.NET API is designed specifically for .NET CLS-compliant languages such as C# and VB.NET. See the new VISA.NET Help, available from the IO Control, for details about VISA.NET.
• Keysight Connection Expert includes a new Chassis Trigger view, where you can reserve PXI trigger lines and create routes.
• Keysight IO Libraries Suite 17.2 includes the IVI Foundation's VISA Shared Components 5.6.0 and VISA.NET Shared Components 5.6.0
• IO Libraries Suite 17.2 also provides improvements in performance and stability. Instrument discovery is now a two-phase process, to reduce the effective boot time.
   

• Performance of instrument discovery has been improved in many cases.
• Connection Expert now shows the details of the PXI module in Slot 1 of a chassis.
• USB instruments that don't respond to the *IDN? query are now auto-discovered (e.g. Keysight N9330B).
• Previously, in some cases, IO Libraries Suite would change Windows serial port settings although no serial device was connected. This has been fixed. Now, the settings will be updated only when you change serial interface settings in Connection Expert and save the changed settings.
• The Favorites filter setting is now remembered from one Connection Expert session to the next. The Favorites filter is the gray or gold star at the top of the column of stars in the Connection Expert instruments list. When the filter is active (gold star), only favorite instruments (with gold stars) are shown.
• Many other defect fixes having to do with speed and stability