Hello forum

I don't post very often, but it seems I need help now. I have added a second CS3+ to my Layout in order to separate turnouts, signals and accessories from locomotives.

The wiring is ok :
My old CS3 + (from 2016) is connected on one side to a Wifi router (Edimax) with an Ethernet wire and to the other side to four boosters connected to tracks.
Its actual IP address is 192.168.1.3. and that works well.
The Wifi router is connected to a computer and not to Internet. The computer is connected to internet with its own Wifi and to the Wifi router used by the Layout with an Ethernet wire.
The Wifi network used by the Layout is not the Wifi network used at home and the computer.

The new CS3+ (from 2025) is also connected on one side to the Wifi router used by the Layout with an Ethernet wire and on the other side to a booster used by turnouts, signals and accessories but not the tracks and therefore not to locomotives.

I have the following problems :

I have not been able to assign an IP address to the second CS3+ that could be recognized by RRTC. I have tried 192.168.1.4 and it didn't work.
I am not sure of what to be made with CAN information on both CS3+

Could you help me an tell me the right steps in order to manage correctly those network issues : I know this is often tricky and that's why I am asking for help.

Moreover I have another problem on my first CS3+ : Each time I make an update, the new version comes with the right number but followed by Betatest. This CS3+ works well but its software comes with the name Betatest and this even after all the updates since 2016 : Is this normal ?

Thanks a lot for your Help

Yours sincerely

I have no knowledge which would be useful other than I think the IP address is assigned somehow. But how about photographs or, even better, a video of your layout. It sounds impressive.

Hi Didier
You cannot have two CS3 as master except if each pilots it’s own layout so you MUST do it

Once there one MASTER and once the SLAVE is connected, then they share data (loco registration, layout, devices then you have a duplicated command center (plus the possible PC connection, this makes three
Only the master can manage the programming track

Separate signals and trains?
IMO this is a very bad idea. You must and can solve the signal issue
Again I know only Rocrail but with it you have a matrix-like way of driving signal EVEN THOUGH the CS3 does not understand all signal positions
In this mode, the CS3 is only a conduit between your PC and your signals
If you search for johnjeanb on YouTube you may find my video Being only with my phone now I don’t know how to insert a video

Cheers
Jean

Most Wifi Routers can also use "manuel" IP-Address assignment. ( Check your Wifi-Router Manual )

All Marklin Products with Ethernet / Wifi - Connection has it own "unique" MAC-Adresse which you can use to assign a "manual" fixed IP-Address that never changes ( unless you do it )

This could be a Setup example for a Marklin Digital Setup with CS 3 / 3+ / 2 / MS2 WLAN (WIFI) / PC / SMARTPHONE / TABLET

CS UNIT / MAC-ADRESSE / IP-ADRESSE / NOTES

---

CS 3 ( MASTER ) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.100 / MARKLIN CS3 (60226) IS ALWAYS MASTER-UNIT IN A MARKLIN DIGITAL SETUP

CS 3+ ( SLAVE) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.101 / MARKLIN CS3+ (60216) CAN BE MASTER OR SLAVE ( IF MASTER THERE MUST NOT BE A CS 3 (60226) IN THE DIGITAL SETUP )

CS 2 ( SLAVE 1 ) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.102 / IF THERE IS CS 3 / 3+ IN A MARKLIN DIGITAL SETUP ALWAYS USE THE CS2 AS SLAVE-UNIT

CS 2 ( SLAVE 2 ) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.103 /

MS2-WLAN (ALWAYS SLAVE) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.104


TRAIN PC 1 / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.110 / USES THE BUILD-IN PC WEB-APPLIKATION IN CS 3 / 3+ / ACCESS TO WEBSERVER IN CS 3 / 3+ / CS2 WITH IP-ADDRESS

SMARTPHONE (APPLE/ANDRIOD) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.111 / USES THE BUILD-IN MOBILE WEB-APPLIKATION IN CS 3 / 3+

TABLET (APPLE/ANDROID ) / xx:xx:xx:xx:xx.xx / 192.168.1.112 / USES THE BUILD-IN MOBILE WEB-APPLIKATION IN CS 3 / 3+


YOU CAN INSTALL MARKLIN DECODER TOOL 3 SOFTWARE ON TRAIN PC 1 WHICH CAN COMMUNICATE WITH CS 3 / 3+ / 2

DOWNLOAD HERE : https://www.maerklin.de/de/service/downloads/neu-nachruest-decoder-mld3msd3/mdecodertool-mdt3


IF YOU WANT TO REMOTE CONTROL YOUR CS 3/3+ WITH REALVNC - INSTALL THE SOFTWARE ON TRAIN PC 1

DOWNLOAD HERE : https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/


IF YOU WANT TO EXPAND THE MARKLIN CAN-BUS WITH A 60125 / 60145 TERMINAL IN MASTER/SLAVE - SETUP THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE ON THE LAST SLAVE-UNIT
BECAUSE ONLY ON THIS SLAVE-UNIT HAS A FREE CAN-OUT ( 9-POLET ) CONNECTION FOR THIS.

I am far from knowing all so here is my understanding
- IP addresses are for the main data exchange between CS3 while the secondary Märklin bus is the CAN close to the TFP3 (Track Format processor) and exchanges in various protocols, data with decoders
- CAN exchanges are only possible using the Märklin cable 60123 and the slave unit MUST be a CS3+
- IP addresses are obtained from the DHCP of your router (the one linking both CS3s
-assuming the IP addresses are 192.168.a,b and 192.168.a.c then the CAN address will be 192.168.a.255 and the mode AUTO
- you must select in the main : auxiliary / device the auxiliary device or untick it for the main device
- you must enter the IP address or let the CS3 to discover "the other unit"
- I cannot do it (reluctance to erase my data) but you must tick the fonctionalities replicated in the slave unit

"Aint much" Sorry but this is all I have

Cheers
Jean

You should be able to remove the "Betatest" with a forced update. (At your own risk)

Power on your cs3 and take a backup of your cs3 first, just to be safe.

then if you have your cs3 connected to the internet, or alternatively download the latest software from marklin and save it on a USB stick:
Press and hold down the left red knob together with the stop bar. hold the down for a few seconds and release the buttons when the the screen reacts.
Let the process run and when complete it will boot up again as normal.

I forced my cs3 to load the Betatest version from the Internet, to test if a bug was also present in that version, and I reverted back to the normal version using the method above (from Internet)

I have been investigating the function of the SD/HD reader. Part of the problem with my investigation is that though I have frequent access to three different CS3+ on three layouts two of the CS3+ will not accept the cards. I believe that the only function of the SD/HD card is to increase the RAM. Our club layout with a large number of locos in its memory still has 50% of its RAM available. I had a 32GB card in the one CS3+ that accepted it during the last update as I had read that doing so would result in the loco file being moved to the card freeing up memory in the CS3+. But after the update I loaded the card into a pc and found nothing from the update nor the loco file on the card. So, first I would not bother with it unless more than 50% of your CS3+ RAM is used and I think the only way the card would be at all useful would require you to find some way to move files from the CS3 into it. If you learn anything different please share.

What size SD cards are you trying to use? Just remember that 32GB is the largest you can use, and they have to have the correct format. You cannot use exFAT format, it has to be FAT32.

Glad you managed to remove the Betatest
I'm not using too much memory on my CS3, but I have an 8GB SD card permanently mounted so the CS3 can use it if needed.
my primary use of the SD card is to save backups to it and for sound clips.
I had a good-quality SD card that I did not use for anything else, so it was more like why not use it.

The SD card does not extend the RAM memory in the CS3. The amount of RAM is about 0,5 GB and can not be expanded. The SD card can contain backups and sounds. The advantage of the SD card is if you use the SD card for backup, it will not take up some of the internal flash memory, which has a size at about 3 GB. Remember that maximum size of the SD card at 32 GB and it should be formatted as FAT32. A card with a speed specification as Class 10 or U1 is recommended.
Best regards
Per

the values on the system status page, seem to not be affected by SD cards.

and as PerR writes SD cards do not extend the RAM but are more like expanding the system storage, (but probably not merged into one storage pool?).

My CS3 has not used the SD card much, but a small amount of files have been written to the card. but I have not studied this in detail, just observed it last time I added some more sound files to the SD card.

otherwise ref the CS3 manual:
SD Card: Expanding the Internal Memory
With an SD card (SDHC), you can expand the internal memory (4 GB) by
up to 32 GB of memory. All you have to do is plug the card in the card slot.
You do not have to do any other settings.
Note: Märklin does not recommend using SD cards as removable media.
They should be used only for the purpose described here of expanding
memory. You should prefer USB sticks to copy files such as locomotive
images to the CS3.

As I wrote, I don't use much of the internal flash memory/storage (currently using approx 1 GB out of the "system storage/memory" and only 6 MB of the dedicated user storage). Still, I notice that the CS3 has used the SD card for over 300 files (not backups or sound files).
But the amount of user data I have on the SD card would have completely filled up the user storage area on my cs3.
And using the SD card for backups and sound files etc, is part of the intended use. But note, I remove the SD card very rarely, and then preferably only when the CS3 is powered off. Custom locomotive icons are transferred over my local network and CS3 updates are performed online. But I also have a USB memory stick for the CS3 for use a a quick removable media, if needed. eg saving an extra backup etc. A USB stick can also be used to copy sound files etc, from the USB stick onto the SD card.

Mârklin also writes: Tip for Keeping Large Files
The SD card slot serves as a permanent expansion of the memory for the CS3. Large files should be stored there.
The internal memory for the CS3 is limited and is primarily reserved for the system. An SD card can store large
quantities of data and offers in addition the advantage of being prerecorded at a PC.

Hi refill

There is no difference in percentage of RAM used with and without an SD card mounted.
What do you mean with "CPU memory" ?
RAM is the working memory used by the CPU, and the contents of RAM is lost when the CS3 is powered off.
The flash memory (3-4 GB) and the SD card will keep the contents when the CS3 is powered off.
Best regards
Per

Sorry about the comments about "CPU memory", but it depends on the language you are using.
But in your case, "CPU memory" the flash type of memory, which contains the CS3 program, including the Linux operating system and and the configuration of your layout including the Locomotive list, and the other configuration. The flash memory keep the contents in the same way as the SD card.
The "CPU memory" in the CS3 is working as a harddisk in a normal computer.
The RAM in both a CS3 and a normal computer is loosing it's contents at power of.
Best regards
Per