Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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Hello All,
I need advice with expanding my layout control structure -- specifically, implementing LocoNet between two computers.
Current setup: - ESU ECoS + Booster - Train Controller v.10 Gold (RR&Co) - MFX and LokSound decoders (i.e., MFX and DCC protocols are used on the layout)
On my layout, a large steam & diesel maintenance/service yard is currently managed by an operator using an ESU Mobile Control II handheld or a tablet/smartphone running +SmartHand (a RR&Co add-on). All turnouts in the yard are controlled via a control panel with toggle switches and LEDs indicating turnout position. This control panel is linked to RR&Co via s88 feedback so that all status changes (thrown turnouts) are reported to RR&Co and this status is automatically updated in the software.
I have recently replaced the physical control panel with a second computer (touch screen). This computer is dedicated for control of the yard. I have installed the RR&Co +Net option, which permits both computers of having full control of the layout in a peer-to-peer configuration. I can now control everything on the layout from one computer or the other. Of course, I will contract the capability of full layout control on the second computer to only manage the yard, but that is the easy part.
Where I need guidance is with the following: With the ECoS there is no "layout network" where data is passes between the two computers. Each computer running the +Net RR&Co software is stand-alone and can control anything/everything with no synchronization between the two computers (i.e., synchronizing status of turnouts, signals, routes, block occupancy, etc.). For this to happen, I think I need to setup a LocoNet network...
If my assumption is correct, then I need advice on how to do this. I don't think that I need an ESU L.Net converter because my ECoS only contains locomotive data and nothing else. Even all my feedback sensors (s88) are handled via the Littfinski Daten Technik [LDT] HSI-88-USB device. I need to synchronize the two computers running the +Net RR&Co layout control software.
How do I implement a LocoNet solution between the two computers?
Many thanks in advance, Andry |
Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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So nobody has setup a LocoNet network?...
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Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,464 Location: Scotland
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Originally Posted by: Kiko  So nobody has setup a LocoNet network?...
Maybe an ESU forum can help or a Train Controller forum.. You would need somebody here who has the same setup as yourself but give it time and somebody might pick up the thread. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Andry Why don't you use the same computer (the one with touch screen) to drive TC Gold and all that you need for your trains? I don't know TC as I use Rocrail but with it there in no problem (so its likely the same with TC). With RR you may have many computers (one server and as many clients as you want). Isn't this so with TC? Here is my set-up (one PC with Rocrail, one CS3 and one RS232 Computer to drive the turntable. ![IMG_5909[1].jpg IMG_5909[1].jpg](/forum/resource.ashx?p=72872&b=1) Cheers Jean |
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Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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Originally Posted by: David Dewar  Maybe an ESU forum can help or a Train Controller forum.. You would need somebody here who has the same setup as yourself but give it time and somebody might pick up the thread. Hello David, Thank you for the suggestion. Because this issue deals with many "components", I tried this forum because it's not dedicated to one system but is more general in nature. Hoping that someone might have interesting suggestions or tried these combos -- or parts of these combos -- in his/her approach. Cheers, |
Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Why don't you use the same computer (the one with touch screen) to drive TC Gold and all that you need for your trains? Hello Jean, Thank you for your input and sorry for the late reply. I have one computer (with three 24" monitors) dedicated to my layout. It runs TC Gold and surveillance system (IP cameras). One screen is dedicated to the full TC switchboard & dispatcher; the second screen is for various displays; and the third screen is for display of all cameras (located in various hidden areas of my layout). These monitors and the ECoS are located at the dispatcher location. My layout is in the form of a "U" -- 40 feet (13m), 15 feet (5m), 25 feet (8m). The 25 foot leg is where my main yard is located. I currently control the yard via a control panel -- switches and push buttons. The second computer is replacing this "hard wired" control panel. The driving force behind this major upgrade is that I have automated my two turntable with the Digital-Bahn DSD2010 decoders. The DSD2010 interfaces digitally with TC but has provisions for local manual control as well (i.e., status changes are automatically fed to TC). Having a second dedicated computer and 27" touch screen monitor for the yard operator should make it much easier (and more fun) to manage shunting operations. Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  With RR you may have many computers (one server and as many clients as you want). Isn't this so with TC? The TD Gold +Net architecture is peer-to-peer rather than client/server. Hence, control of the model railroad is shared between all computers (i.e., no dedicated "server"). I just need to synchronize both computers and have them update each other dynamically as things change on the layout -- that's where LocoNet comes in... Since I have never implemented LocoNet, that's the reason why I posted my message. I can probably figure it out, but life is short and learning from someone that has done it is much more easier that "reinventing the wheel". |
Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 17/12/2018(UTC) Posts: 128 Location: Kapiti Coast
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Hi, I am not knowledgeable on the traincontroller software, a quick but of searching suggests this is possible perhaps with what they call "Establishing a Virtual Digital System Bus with +Net/D™" Quote: The recommended and optimal way to share the same digital system between different computers is utilizing the digital system bus by connecting the computers directly to the digital system through an appropriate interface.
ref https://www.freiwald.com...ftware/UsersGuideNet.pdfThis perhaps sounds like what you want to do?
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Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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Originally Posted by: nhumps  Hi, I am not knowledgeable on the traincontroller software, a quick but of searching suggests this is possible perhaps with what they call "Establishing a Virtual Digital System Bus with +Net/D" Hello Nathan, Thank you for the info. When I started on this "trek", I looked at this option and although this would be a nice way of creating a distributed TC layout, unfortunately Freiwald Software does not sell the +Net/D version in Canada (nor in the US). I'm not sure why, but probably for licensing or regulatory reasons. I can only purchase the +Net option. That is the reason why I have to implement a LocoNet solution. Cheers, |
Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 17/12/2018(UTC) Posts: 128 Location: Kapiti Coast
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Hi Andry,
oh! That seems terribly unfortunate. Have you enquired as to why? The cost and perhaps reduced complexity of the license is surely cheaper overall than implementing a LocoNet solution?
my two cents; like Jean, I'm a rocrail user... I'm sure you've invested a lot into the existing solution... but as mentioned the interoperability (server + n clients) comes out of the box with rocrail.
I would think you'd be able to use rocrail server on your main machine and then a rocrail client on each machine and achieve the same outcome as you are trying for here. It would certainly not cost you any money to try out the potential of it if you wish
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Joined: 13/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 163 Location: Ottawa, ON
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Originally Posted by: nhumps  The cost and perhaps reduced complexity of the license is surely cheaper overall than implementing a LocoNet solution? Hello Nathan, Thanks for the reply. The cost of TrainController Gold is pretty high -- that's a fact. The +Net/D option would have been a nice "out-of-the-box" solution. However, the +Net option is inexpensive, so no worries there. Implementing LocoNet is not expensive at all. I was just looking for pointers to avoid mistakes and trying not to reinvent the wheel. I've been using TC for over 20 years and I'm very happy with it. It's a tremendously powerful program that lets me do all sorts of things. The software is stable, well maintained and updated regularly. I've invested many (many!) hours in customizing things for smooth running of my layout and there's nothing that this software can't do (at least for me). Life is just too short for me to change to a different software package. Cheers, |
Andry
// Marklin HO K track; ECoS; TrainController Gold; Marklin & ESU decoders; Arduino controlled Switches, Semaphores & Accessories (DCC); Win 11 //
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Joined: 17/12/2018(UTC) Posts: 128 Location: Kapiti Coast
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Andry,
Yes, like i said you may have invested a lot into the current solution and that certainly sounds like the case so another software is not the option.
I can't suggest anything about making a loconet however it does sound like your way forward. If it were me I'd want to take the lazy option and enquire as to the potential availability of the +Net/D option in my particular market.
Cheers
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