This guide is based on the NI forums thread Provide a Virtual Machine (VM) in which to run LV RT systems on and is intended to be a brief summery.

NI provides a Linux RT Recovery-Image in the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\RT Images\Utilities\Linux RT PXI Safemode\8.5\standard_x64_recovery.iso (Version 8.5 in this case).

If the image is not there, you can install the package NI Linux RT System Image with the NI Package Manager.

In VMware Workstation (or Fusion) create a new Virtual Machine with the following configuration.

1. Virtual Machine Configuration: Select Custom.
2. Virtual Machine Hardware Compatibility: Select the highest you want.
3. Install operating system from: Select Use ISO image and browse for the standard_x64_recovery.iso file.
4. Guest Operating System: Select Linux with version Ubuntu 64-bit.
5. Virtual Machine Name: Type in an appropriate Name and select a folder to store the VM.
6. Processors: I selected one processor with two cores, but other configurations should also work.
7. Memory: For the most cases 2048 MB of RAM should be enough.
8. Network Connection: To find the system from the MAX on other computer I recommend to use bridged networking. With this selection the VM gets an IP in the same range as your other machines.
9. I/P Controller Type: Select LSI Logic (Recommended).
10. Virtual Disk Type: Select SATA.
11. Disk Size: Use the default value of 20 GB. The Linux installer formats the main drive to 16 GB anyway.

After the VM is created and before you start it, you have to go into the VM Settings ⇾ Options Tab ⇾ Advanced and set the Firmware type to UEFI.

On first boot there will be a screen “NI Linux Real-Time Boot Options”. Press “e” to edit the Grub boot commands like in the screenshot below. With this command the operating system will be installed without further requests. Press “F10” to start the installation.

When you boot the new system it declares itself as NI-cRIO-903x-VM and gives you a login prompt.

You should find the system with MAX and then can configure it and install software like on a real cRIO system.