LaserUser.com Forum (formerly RDWorksLab)

ORIGINAL QUESTION
by Ryan Fancher » Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:08 pm [ EDIT BY GDU- I DO NOT DO ETHERNET BUT TRIED TO KEEP THE IMPORTANT INFO]

I'm running the ethernet cable directly from computer to laser. I also have a wireless adapter on the same computer running to my home's wifi network, if that makes any difference. Windows 7 OS.

1ST ANSWER-

Post by David Henry » Mon Feb 20, 2017 12:27 pm
Most likely the IP address is different than what you were using before. Did the new controller come with documentation? You should need to set the IP Address, subnet mask, and default gateway on the controller.

In Windows 10, go to the search bar and type "cmd" and select "Command Prompt" from the list.
In the Command Prompt window type

Code: Select all

ipconfig /all

Find the entry that reads "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:"
Then find the entry that reads "Subnet Mask" and write that down. Should be something like 255.255.255.0
Then find the entry that reads "Default Gateway" and write that down. Should be something like 192.168.1.1
Then find the entry that reads "IPv4 Address" and write that down. Should be something like 192.168.1.2 or higher. This is the IP Address of your PC.

Select an IP Address for your controller that you do not think is in use and is similar to what you wrote down for your PC IP address, like 192.168.1.100 write this down.
In the Command Prompt window type "ping" add a space then type the IP address that you chose above, i.e. 192.168.1.100, then hit enter.
You should see this in the Command Prompt window possibly with different addresses:
"Pinging 192.168.1.100 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.2: Destination host unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.1.1: Destination host unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.1.1: Destination host unreachable.
Reply from 192.168.1.1: Destination host unreachable.

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),"

If you don't receive the above type of response and you receive a response like this:
"Ping statistics for 192.168.1.100:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 3ms, Maximum = 4ms, Average = 3ms"

You will have to change the last number until you do not get a valid response.

Once you have the response that is like the one in bold then you have the settings for you controller. DO NOT USE THE IP ADDRESS FROM YOUR PC this will only cause you much grief.

FURTHER RESPONSE FROM RYAN

by Ryan Fancher » Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:10 pm

update: I have changed the IP address of the laser to 192.168.0.55, and the default gateway to 192.168.0.1, and am getting the proper responses sending/receiving-
however, rdworks does not recognize the address and still gives the 'communication error.'

closer, but still missing something.

2ND ANSWER----------

Re: Ethernet setup help

Post by Herb Edmonds » Tue Mar 14, 2017 9:37 pm

Ryan, try changing the ip address on the wired adapter (Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection) from 169.254.225.206 to an available ip in the 192.168.0.xxx group to get all the bases in the same ballpark. After you get the connection up you can set the adapter back to automatic if you wish. Might help you out a little.
Herb

I hope I'm reading this wrong. I believe it says you're running an Ethernet cable direct from the computer to the cutter. Doing it that way requires a crossover cable and a good working knowledge of IP setup.

You should have a router to provide DHCP between the laser and your computer. A ROUTER, not a HUB! The router has some brains in it, a hub is a dumb splitter. Your box coming in from the DSL / Cable / Satellite should be part router. Find an Ethernet port and plug in. If your box is totally wireless, then you'll need a wireless adapter for the laser. Not the best, hard wire is faster, but wireless will work if you can get the adapter logged into your router.

Dave Vigness wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 I hope I'm reading this wrong. I believe it says you're running an Ethernet cable direct from the computer to the cutter. Doing it that way requires a crossover cable and a good working knowledge of IP setup.

You should have a router to provide DHCP between the laser and your computer. A ROUTER, not a HUB! The router has some brains in it, a hub is a dumb splitter. Your box coming in from the DSL / Cable / Satellite should be part router. Find an Ethernet port and plug in. If your box is totally wireless, then you'll need a wireless adapter for the laser. Not the best, hard wire is faster, but wireless will work if you can get the adapter logged into your router.

No, crossover cables aren't required for any PC which has auto MDI-X, first introduced 1998. Anything with gigabit ethernet has it, and most 10/100 ethernet ports support it too.

Putting the laser controller on your home network is as much hassle as wiring it straight to the PC. The laser has a static IP address so you need to allocate it an IP address outside the router's DHCP range, and finding that range can be as difficult as allocating a static IP to the PC. One advantage of having the laser wired into a wireless router is the ability to use the Android & iOS remote control apps.