LAN interface

Many instruments are equipped with a LAN interface that can be connected via a commercial RJ-45 cable to a network with TCP/IP protocol. The TCP/IP protocol and the associated network services are preconfigured on the instrument. Software for instrument control and (for specified protocols only) the VISA program library must be installed on the controlling computer.

Rohde & Schwarz instruments support LAN protocols such as VXI-11, raw socket or the newer HiSLIP protocol. These protocols allow you to control the instrument, for example:

  • Via C#, Python, Visual Basic programs

  • Via the Windows applications Word and Excel

  • Via National Instruments LabView, LabWindows/CVI, MATLAB

The control applications run on an external computer in the network.

VISA resource string

Only the IP address or the host name of the instrument is required to set up a connection. This information is part of the VISA resource string used to address the instrument. Several instruments in the same network have different IP addresses, host names and resource strings.

Default ports

Rohde & Schwarz instruments typically use the following ports for communication via LAN control interface.

Typical default ports of LAN protocols

LAN protocol

Default port number

"VXI-11 protocol"

TCP or UDP port: 111

TCP port: any port provided by the ONC RPC port mapper (see RFC 1833)

"HiSLIP protocol"

TCP port: 4880

"Socket communication"

raw socket, TCP port: 5025, 5125

"RSIB protocol"

TCP port: 2525

mDNS / Bonjour® ("LXI")

TCP port: 5353