# Difference between GPIB-USB-HS cable models

**URL:** <https://forum.digikey.com/t/difference-between-gpib-usb-hs-cable-models/20382>\
**Category:** Test and Measurement\
**Tags:** part-numbering, ni, gpib-communications, part-comparison\
**Created:** [February 24, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/difference-between-gpib-usb-hs-cable-models/20382 "2022-02-24T20:05:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ronal.sanchez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@ronal.sanchez](https://forum.digikey.com/u/ronal.sanchez)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/difference-between-gpib-usb-hs-cable-models/20382/1 "2022-02-24T20:05:57Z")

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I would like to know what the difference is between the different references that exist for GPIB-USB-HS cables, for example, what would be the difference between GPIB-USB-HS WITH NI-488.2 FOR MA and GPIB-USB-HS WITH NI-488.2 FOR LI and the GPIB-USB-HS+ (BOARD ONLY). Thank you

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**Author:** ![Robert\_1552](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47c2d/32.png) [@Robert\_1552](https://forum.digikey.com/u/Robert_1552)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/difference-between-gpib-usb-hs-cable-models/20382/2 "2022-02-24T20:15:04Z")

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GPIB-USB-HS

NI-488.2 is an NI instrument driver with several utilities that help in developing and debugging an application program. NI-488.2 includes high-level commands

> **[370428n.pdf](https://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370428n.pdf)**
>
> 1470.91 KB

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**Author:** ![heke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/heke/32/14420_2.png) [@heke](https://forum.digikey.com/u/heke)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/difference-between-gpib-usb-hs-cable-models/20382/3 "2022-02-27T02:06:16Z")

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Hi [ronal.sanchez](https://forum.digikey.com/u/ronal.sanchez)

“LI”, “MA” and “WI” refer to Linux, Mac and Windows.  
I am not sure why there are different versions of HW for each system, but suspect that  
the LI and MA are the older version of the dongle HW. NI recently added a copy protection to the dongle  
to prevent piracy. Latest NI-VISA driver is required to talk to the new version.  
BOARD ONLY comes as a PCB, i.e. no plastic case.

If you are not planning to use e.g LabView, but control the instruments with for example Python, then  
it is slightly less messy to use some generic USB to GPIB dongle and e.g. Agilent VISA driver.

Cheers,  
Heke, AsamaLab