HiSLIP protocol

The high-speed LAN instrument protocol (HiSLIP) is the successor protocol for VXI-11 for TCP-based instruments specified by the IVI Foundation. The protocol uses two TCP sockets for a single connection - one for fast data transfer, the other for non-sequential control commands (e.g. Device Clear or SRQ).

HiSLIP has the following characteristics:

  • High performance as with raw socket communication

  • Compatible IEEE 488.2 support for message exchange protocol, device clear, serial poll, remote/local, trigger, and service request

  • Uses a single IANA registered port (4880), which simplifies the configuration of firewalls

  • Supports simultaneous access of multiple users by providing versatile locking mechanisms

  • Usable for IPv6 or IPv4 networks

  • Encryption and authentication supported with HiSLIP 2.0

Note:Note:

Using VXI-11, each operation is blocked until a VXI-11 instrument handshake returns. Using HiSLIP, data is sent to the instrument using the "fire and forget" method with immediate return. Thus, a successful return of a VISA operation such as viWrite() ensure only that the command is delivered to the instrument's TCP/IP buffers. There is no confirmation that the instrument has started or finished the requested command.

For more information, see also the application note 1MA208: Fast Remote Instrument Control with HiSLIP.