Configuring Microsoft Windows Firewall

The IO Libraries Suite installer opens several ports (exceptions) in the Microsoft Windows firewall. Unfortunately, firewalls cannot distinguish between requests for incoming connections and similar requests by malware. In windows you can find these ports by selecting Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall. Then select Allow an app through Windows Firewall. This opens a list programs and features:

 

The following are for LXI instruments:

  • Name = LxiAllow,  Protocol= UDP, Port = 5044
  • Name = LxiAllow,  Protocol = TCP, Port = 5044
  • Name = LxiAllow,  Protocol = UDP, Port = 319
  • Name = LxiAllow,  Protocol = UDP, Port = 320
  • Additionally, for the proper discovery of LXI 1.3-compliant instruments, the Keysight IO Libraries Suite installer configures an exception in the firewall for the LxiMdnsResponder. This allows sending and receiving of UDP packets at port 5353 (the port assigned for mDNS UDP traffic).

The following two exceptions allow remote procedure calls so that IO Libraries can communicate with other copies of IO Libraries on the network:

  • Name = SunRpcAllow,  Protocol = UDP,  Port = 111
  • Name = SunRpcAllow,   Protocol = TCP,  Port = 111

The last exception is for remote SICL access to instruments:

  • Name = Siclland,  Path = Program Files\Keysight\IO Libraries Suite\bin\siclland.exe

Each firewall system is different. If you are not using the Microsoft Windows Firewall, you may need to manually configure your firewall for these port exceptions. Specifically, for LXI 1.3, add an exception to allow sending and receiving UDP packets at port 5353, the port assigned for mDNS UDP traffic. Without this configuration, Keysight Connection Expert may not find LXI 1.3-compliant instruments. Contact your IT department if you experience difficulties or need assistance.


If you are using a firewall other than the Microsoft Windows Firewall, you may need to stop the LxiMdnsResponder Service in order to configure the firewall. After configuring the firewall, restart the LxiMdnsResponder Service. Click Start > Administrative Tools > Services to stop and then restart the LxiMdnsResponder Service.

For VXI-11 and remote interfaces to work as required, you may need to set up the firewall rule to allow the inbound connection for their applications to use interrupt-related functions.