How can I automatically enumerate all instruments connected within a LAN to a host PC?

I am in a lab with many test and measurement tools connected to a central controller PC. This PC must, at this time, know the VISA resource string associated with each test or measurement tool. How can I used MATLAB to automatically enumerate all available test and measurement hardware over LAN? Right now, I have to know the IP address and am using TMtool to manage communication with the instrument. I want to avoid using TMtool in the future. I also want my code to be ignorant of what the IP address or VISA resource string happens to be during the time I want to establish a session with the instrument.

How can I obtain a list of IP addresses and VISA resource strings of test and measurement equipment in a generic way such that I can select an instrument to use from a list of all instruments connected to the controlling PC?

Thank you.

Answer 1

[Vinod]

Try the instrhwinfo function.

If all your devices are registered in your VISA vendor, you can do this:

>> a = instrhwinfo('visa','agilent')

assuming you are using Keysight IO Libraries (formerly called Agilent IO Libraries).

The devices are available from the output of

>> a.ObjectConstructorName

If you only want TCPIP instruments, filter this list for items with TCPIP:: in them.