How can I change my Shared Variable from "I/O Variable" to "Network Published"

Question

Hello,
I have an application that is using a series of NI wireless sensor nodes.  I am trying to programmatically access shared variables.  Right now the only method I have found to access the data from the shared variables is datasocket read.  I am on labview 8.6.1 so I don't have as many shared variable options as newer versions of labview.  I do think there is a way to access properties for the shared variables, but I'm not sure about how to change the nodes channel properties to "Network-Published".  Do i need to remove the node from the project and bring it back in with the new settings?  When i have done this in the past i have run into naming conflicts.  I would appreciate any ligtht that can be shed on this issue that will help me create a vi that operates quicker.

Answer 1

Any Shared Variable that has “I/O Variable” for its Variable Type (see screenshot of the Shared Variable Properties below) refers to any channel of data (such as Analog Input or Output or Digital Input or Output) directly from a module channel.  In other words, this is how you directly get the raw reading straight from (or to!) a specific module channel.
You cannot edit the Variable Type to Network Published.  You can check “Enable Network Publishing” as above, which allows this Variable to be accessed from a VI on a Host VI.  You could also create a separate Network-Published Shared Variable which you can wire directly to the I/O Variable on the Target VI if you wish.
Best,
Ryan C.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments