Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
You will probably get ticking in terrestrial mode as the system has no encoder signals. ?But it won¡¯t be trying to move the Ra etc.?
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the ticking is warning of motor stall (Aka no encoder signal seen) but the Gemini system will work fine without motors ¡.that is connect etc. ?but no drive obviously?
cheers
--
Brendan
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
I connect both of my HGM Titan and G-11 with Gemini 2 directly to my PC using a standard Ethernet cable. You just need to make sure that the IP address is set up correctly. I've done it with the motors disconnected and it works.
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
ethernet switch = ethernet switching hub
may depend on when you started doing local area networks ... for me it was 1989
On Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 11:07 AM, Don Bottaro wrote:
Chip Louie, Thanks - I think the cross-over cable adapter is a good way to go. I probably was not completely understanding the role of the cross-over cable described in the direct method instructions. If I manage to get the Gemini connected tot he network, then I may try some other steps mentioned here by others, including the network hub. I will give this more effort this weekend and let everyone know how it goes. Again, thanks to all, Don?
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Hi Don,
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You do not want to use any kind of hub, you want to use an Ethernet switch.? The 10/100/1000 Ethernet switches are cheap as peas, just buy one with as few ports as possible, you only need 2 or 3 even if you use it with an ASIAIR and a local laptop connection or other copper connection at the mount.? ?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
On Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 11:07 AM, Don Bottaro wrote:
Chip Louie, Thanks - I think the cross-over cable adapter is a good way to go. I probably was not completely understanding the role of the cross-over cable described in the direct method instructions. If I manage to get the Gemini connected tot he network, then I may try some other steps mentioned here by others, including the network hub. I will give this more effort this weekend and let everyone know how it goes. Again, thanks to all, Don?
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Hi Don,
?
You do not want to use any kind of hub, you want to use an Ethernet switch.? The 10/100/1000 Ethernet switches are cheap as peas, just buy one with as few ports as possible, you only need 2 or 3 even if you use it with an ASIAIR and a local laptop connection or other copper connection at the mount.? ?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Chip Louie, Thanks - I think the cross-over cable adapter is a good way to go. I probably was not completely understanding the role of the cross-over cable described in the direct method instructions. If I manage to get the Gemini connected tot he network, then I may try some other steps mentioned here by others, including the network hub. I will give this more effort this weekend and let everyone know how it goes. Again, thanks to all, Don?
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
The only caveat I have for you is about the 2.5 GB business. If your subscription is for gigabit speed and your router has a 2.5 port and that port is the one with the patch cord to your computer's 2.5 gb card, then to maintain access to the service above 1000mbps, you will need to upgrade to a switch that has two 2.5 Gb ports.* If your subscription is for 500mbps, it doesn't matter which ports you use -- they are all going to support 1000mbps. F. X. Flinn*I had a comcast gig account and would see 1200 to 1400mbps download this way on my 10Gb network card. Now I'm testing ECFiber's multigig service and see 3000/3000 and would see more if I had a better motherboard and card!
On Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 11:03?AM Don Bottaro via <dpbottaro= [email protected]> wrote: F.X. - Thanks for outlining this possibility. I can see that it could improve immediately and allow more connections down the road. I have a not-so-old Netgear 5-port switching hub so I can try this. I was interested in doing a minimum setup initially, but this is not so complex. Thanks, Don.
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
F.X. - Thanks for outlining this possibility. I can see that it could improve immediately and allow more connections down the road. I have a not-so-old Netgear 5-port switching hub so I can try this. I was interested in doing a minimum setup initially, but this is not so complex. Thanks, Don.
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
On Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 06:48 AM, Don Bottaro wrote:
Hi Paul, Thanks for confirming that the ticking sound is no concern. I think you are right about connection configuration, so I am focusing on that now. The PC has 2 ethernet ports, one 1Gb (10/100/1000) and the other 2.5Gb (10/100/1000/2500), so, not being limited to 10/100, I am using a standard (cat 5e) patch cable per the Direct Method instructions. I am connecting directly to the PC through either of these ports, not through a switch. Also, the PC's capacity to act as a router is not enabled, I am attempting to reach our home router (Verizon CR1000A), which I know is reachable through the NUC PC via 192.168.1.1.?
I must be duplicating something else's IP address, so I am going through the device list on the router now - there are many devices, phones, tablets, computers and IoT devices (on their own subnet).?
thanks again,
Don
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Hi Don,
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As others have mentioned the ticking sound is just the sound of a Gemini 2 that is powered up and tracking but not connected to the servo motors.? This doesn't have any impact on the Gemini-2 ability to connect using USB or Ethernet so for our purposes you can ignore it or switch to terrestrial tacking mode which turns off the servo motors.?
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If you have the NUC connected to the house network router via Ethernet it is unlikely that you will be able to use the NUC's other Ethernet to connect to the Gemini-2 with out splitting your networks.? This requires setting up the NUC to behave as a router or turning off all of the other networking comm channels except for the one in use.?
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So if you normally access your home network via Wi-Fi then it is unlikely You will be able to simultaneously access the ASIAIR via Ethernet as the NUC is not a router.? You will need to turn off the Wi-Fi or the Ethernet port unless the NUC has the right chipset and software configuration to do both at the same time.? I have a multi-port Ethernet motherboard with Wi-Fi which does this but I doubt the NUC has jas the ability to mix networks or bridge them without a lot of monkey motion.?
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Some people have managed to connect directly between? PC Ethernet port to Gemini-2 Ethernet port successfully but if the posts here are any indication most people have not been successful without doing one of two things.?
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The first easy way is to plug the Gemini-2 into a port on your router and let the router handle the crossover and route as usual.? The second easy way is to simply buy an inexpensive CAT5e crossover cable or inline crossover adapter.? Using the crossover adapter has the advantage of being very portable and can enable any Ethernet cable to be used as a crossover.??
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In either case you still need to configure the Gemini-2 to work on your existing network.? The easiest configuration long term is to use a fixed IP address also called static IP addressing on your Gemini-2 that matches your existing home network.? This will be handy down the line if you decide to try to access the Gemini-2 over Wi-Fi.?
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This means you need to match the first part of the Gemini-2 IP address to the home router and PC network address.? You posted 192.168.1.1 as your home router IP address but did not show the netmask but it is probably something like 255.255.255.0.? Try using this or similar and then assign the Gemini-2 an IP like 192.168.1.xxx that is not in the router's list of IP addresses.? Also in the Gemini-2 uncheck the box that says DHCP so your new fixed IP address is active and not overridden by the DHCP host system.??
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With the Gemini-2 plugged into the PC with all other network ports and Wi-fi turned off and using a crossover connection OR plugged into the house router this should get you talking to the Gemini-2.?
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--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
I have ethernet cabling running from the house to my SkyShed Pod observatory and a dual scope setup with one controlled by a mini PC running NINA or SharpCap and the other controlled by an ASIAir. Those two devices are each able to command the Gemini. With careful setup and plate solving both scopes easily find and guide.
If you can just put the Gemini on your home network like I do this will be much easier. Configuring the two cards to have your PC bridging between the network and the Gemini is not necessary. Just get a 5 port switch and another patch cord, take the patch cords out of your pc and put it into the switch, then connect the switch?to the PC with the 3rd patch cord. Now the network serves your PC and the Gemini.
IOW:
Now:
Router <--> PC Ethernet 2.5Gb ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?PC Ethernet 1Gb <-->? Gemini
becomes
Router <---> 5 port switching hub port 1 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?5 port switching hub port 2 <--> PC Ethernet 2.5Gb ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?5 port switching hub port 3 <--> Gemini
F. X. Flinn
Hi Paul, Thanks for confirming that the ticking sound is no concern. I think you are right about connection configuration, so I am focusing on that now. The PC has 2 ethernet ports, one 1Gb (10/100/1000) and the other 2.5Gb (10/100/1000/2500), so, not being limited to 10/100, I am using a standard (cat 5e) patch cable per the Direct Method instructions. I am connecting directly to the PC through either of these ports, not through a switch. Also, the PC's capacity to act as a router is not enabled, I am attempting to reach our home router (Verizon CR1000A), which I know is reachable through the NUC PC via 192.168.1.1.?
I must be duplicating something else's IP address, so I am going through the device list on the router now - there are many devices, phones, tablets, computers and IoT devices (on their own subnet).?
thanks again,
Don
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Hi Paul, Thanks for confirming that the ticking sound is no concern. I think you are right about connection configuration, so I am focusing on that now. The PC has 2 ethernet ports, one 1Gb (10/100/1000) and the other 2.5Gb (10/100/1000/2500), so, not being limited to 10/100, I am using a standard (cat 5e) patch cable per the Direct Method instructions. I am connecting directly to the PC through either of these ports, not through a switch. Also, the PC's capacity to act as a router is not enabled, I am attempting to reach our home router (Verizon CR1000A), which I know is reachable through the NUC PC via 192.168.1.1.?
I must be duplicating something else's IP address, so I am going through the device list on the router now - there are many devices, phones, tablets, computers and IoT devices (on their own subnet).?
thanks again,
Don
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Hi Conrad. The PC is a NUC Chimney Rock (LLN11CRv7), running Windows 11 Pro. I chose it for its size and 12-19V power accommodation (most NUCs are 19V only) so that it might reside at the mount, like other mini PCs. But my screen is large, so I was trying to get things set up by bringing the Gemini 2 box to the PC (at my desk), as opposed to vice-versa. So I have not yet connected with motors connected. I will try that too, thanks. From the looks of things I have the IP addressing set up correctly, but I will check again at the Verizon router to make sure that I am not duplicating an address being used by something else (and there are many at this point...).
Don
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Thanks Brendan - I will definitely switch to terrestrial mode. Don
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Thanks Jonathan, I will try a USB connection. I didnt know about using terrestrial tracking to silence the clicks - will try that too. Don
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Don,
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As others have commented, the motors are not required for the Ethernet connection to work. The ticking sound is because the motors are not connected, but that doesn't affect ethernet communications.
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The problem is most likely in the configuration of the PC and/or Gemini, and possibly in how you have the two connected. If you're still having problems, post the details of network configuration screen from Gemini, and your PC ethernet connection. Also how the two are connected: does the PC have an ethernet port or do you use an adapter? Do you have a crossover ethernet cable? Can you connect both through a switch?
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Hi Don
I have connected both with Ethernet and USB many times for diagnostic purposes. As I recall, it was a bit tricky getting the address correct.
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I have connected with both a "capable" PC running Windows 8, 10 (and 11), and with GMKtec mini PC,s which I use "on mount" to minimize wire management issues.
Have you been able to connect with the motors connected to the controller?
-------------------- From: "Don Bottaro via groups.io" <dpbottaro@...> Reply-To: < [email protected]> To: < [email protected]> Sent: February 19, 2025 at 5:27 PM EST Subject: [Gemini-II_io] Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors? I am having problems getting the Gemini connect to my network through a (modern and very capable) PC via the "direct method", despite following the steps carefully. For convenience the Gemini is not on the mount, or attached to the motors. It makes a rhythmic clicking sound when powered up under these conditions, although all handset functions related to network settings are working normally. So I am wondering if the clicking is a sign of some unknown error condition because the motors are not sensed, ultimately interfering with connecting to the network. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Put the Gemini in¡±Terrestrial mode¡± ? ? This will not move the motors till you try to?
Tracking is turned off
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Brendan
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Re: Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
Hi Don,
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I have never used ethernet but I see no reason for it to be a problem connecting the mount with the motors disconnected. I¡¯ve done it with USB. To prevent the constant beeping I would suggest you turn the mount¡¯s tracking rate to terrestrial with the hand controller: main menu - track - terrestrial.
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Try connecting via USB first if you keep having issues with ethernet, just to confirm the gemini is working and talking to the PC. Then try to trouble shoot the ethernet. Make sure the gemini and pc are both on the same domain but with different ip addresses (like 192.168.0.1 and 192.168.0.100 for example). Other than this I¡¯ll let the more knowledgeable people here help you out
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Good luck
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Jonathan
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Is it possible to connect the Gemini II directly to a PC if the Gemini is not connected to the DEC/RA motors?
I am having problems getting the Gemini connect to my network through a (modern and very capable) PC via the "direct method", despite following the steps carefully. For convenience the Gemini is not on the mount, or attached to the motors. It makes a rhythmic clicking sound when powered up under these conditions, although all handset functions related to network settings are working normally. So I am wondering if the clicking is a sign of some unknown error condition because the motors are not sensed, ultimately interfering with connecting to the network. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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Re: Gemini 2 Hits Western Limit Early
On Mon, Feb 17, 2025 at 01:47 PM, WayBack wrote:
The Gemini-2 WEB Server Application through Ethernet allows display of the current mount encoder position and the encoder positions of the limits.? If possible, it would be interesting to know these, particularly if screen printed upon error and before moving the mount.? ?With this information then several avenues for investigation open up.
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Yup.? Set the mount to CWD and power up.? Once the Gemini is up Park the mount at CDW then go to the Gemini UI and look at the physical position numbers, take a photo of the position data.? Do this every time you start the Gemini 2 up and once it goes to the wrong location or fails to Park at CWD go back and verify the CWD values in the photo you took.?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 Hits Western Limit Early
The Gemini-2 WEB Server Application through Ethernet allows display of the current mount encoder position and the encoder positions of the limits.? If possible, it would be interesting to know these, particularly if screen printed upon error and before moving the mount.? ?With this information then several avenues for investigation open up.
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Rick Scott
Chip Louie
Paul Kanevsky