3.9.1 Setting Up Hardware Tools to Work with Multiple Instances
By default, you can work with up to five (5) instances of MPLAB X IDE. If you want to have more instances, you will need to modify the mchpdefport file manually.
Use and Format of mchpdefport File
The mchpdefport file provides the information necessary for tool hot-plug use to both MPLAB X IDE and to the low-level USB library (DLL, so, or dylib file). The format for this file is as follows:
localhost
30000
30002
30004
30006
30008The first line indicates the host name on which the IDE is running.
The other lines represent port or socket numbers through which the low-level library communicates with the upper-level IDE. Each instance of the IDE will be assigned to a different port or socket. All communications between the instances of the IDE should be hidden from the user.
For up to five (5) instances of MPLAB X IDE, you do not need to alter this file. If you want more than five instances, you can edit the file to add more port or socket numbers.
Location of the mchpdefport File
Within a default installation of the IDE, the mchpdefport file can be found in the following place, depending on the operating system:
| Operating System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows OS | C:\Windows\system32 and C:\Windows\SysWOW64 Note: Both occurrences of
mchpdefport must be
modified. Note: If
you are on a 64-bit system and use a 32-bit editor
to edit mchpdefport
in C:\Windows\system32, you
will actually be modifying the
mchpdefport file in
SysWOW64. You must use a
64-bit editor to edit the file in
system32. |
| Linux OS | /etc/.mplab_ide |
| macOSX | /etc/.mplab_ide |