National Instruments Extends Linux Support to More than 200 Devices; New Drivers Increase Productivity, Lower System Costs for Scientists and Engineers Using Linux.

AUSTIN, Texas -- National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) today released its newest virtual instrumentation tools for Linux operating systems, including NI-DAQmx 8 driver software and new instrument drivers for modular instruments. These innovative products not only triple the number of NI devices for the Linux OS but also make it even easier for the growing number of global Linux OS users to take advantage of the benefits of virtual instrumentation, including increased productivity and lower system costs. These new products build on the release of the NI LabVIEW 8 graphical development platform, National Instruments powerful flagship software that now is fully supported on the Linux OS.

Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation combines the easy-to-integrate NI LabVIEW software with open, cost-effective measurement and control hardware. With the release of NI-DAQmx 8 driver software, Linux OS users now can use ANSI C or LabVIEW 8 to develop distributed systems using more than 200 NI devices for PCI, PCI Express and PXI, including data acquisition, signal conditioning, dynamic signal acquisition and switching hardware. Additional new NI instrument drivers for Linux OS deliver the flexibility and power of virtual instrumentation to more specialized modular instruments, such as digital multimeters, high-speed digitizers, arbitrary waveform generators and instrument control devices. National Instruments also now supports Linux installation for select PXI and VXI controllers.

"The release of NI-DAQmx 8 and additional new modular instrument drivers is evidence of the high level of interest from our customers for Linux-based system development and well as National Instruments commitment to supporting virtual instrumentation on multiple operating systems," said Tim Dehne, NI senior vice president of R&D. "As Linux OS adoption gains momentum across the globe, National Instruments continues to be a leader in high-quality, modular hardware and open, flexible software for platforms that scientists and engineers demand."

For more information on the full offering of Linux-supported products, readers can visit www.ni.com/linux.

About National Instruments

National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,600 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Readers can obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling 512-683-5090, e-mailing [e-mail] or visiting www.ni.com/nati.

LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com and NI-DAQ are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.