Speed,
I have been searching for further information and clarification on just how JMRI handles multiple Command and Control systems and came across your reply to Ian Blair's similar query #158154, #158210 from last March. Your reply gave me some guidance on this issue because I am faced with a similar problem and have no clue as to where to start.
My story follows developments in the DCC world. Several years ago now when I first looked at DCC, there was only the Hornby Zero One system from earlier days, so I decided to try the ZTC System. I have been using the ZTC system since as my 'Train Control System' without any problems. Developments within the DCC world continued and we got into 'Sound' and this meant more 'Function' Buttons than my system could easily provide. I then decided that I wanted to move on from manual control of the devices on the layout and discovered M.E.R.G. and its modules. At about the same time I was looking into ways to cut down on the wiring and static 'Control Positions' and have the freedom to set my train going and follow it all around the layout on its journey. This is where JMRI came into the picture.
By this time my layout was growing from being a Branch Line to becoming a Branch Line within a Branch Line and therefore the need for 'Districts' arose and the need for a more sophisticated approach to Commend and Control. JMRI only ever talked about the 'Whole' layout which, at the time, to me, meant that I needed to develop to what my layout would eventually become - not that I had any fixed ideas about that at the time.
I used the "Anyrail" package to develop several versions of what my 'Whole' layout might become and was able to get the output from "AnyRail" to convert into a format that JMRI could work with. I now had the problem of choosing how I was going to proceed with the DCC system when the whole digital world exploded with many innovations in may different fields! I looked at all of the current DCC Systems available to me but could not decide on which to choose. This limited me to using the 'Internal' Naming scheme within JMRI with no actual connections to the layout. To avoid the expense and time to fit and wire static Control Panels I decided that Touchscreen Tablets, running JMRI, was the way to go so no physical Control Panels! Now I had a 'Whole' layout file using the 'Internal' structure in JMRI but no system except perhaps, MERG for device control. Lenz then announced the introduction of their new Version 2 system.
So, this is where I am today. I have decided to change to the new Lenz system from my existing ZTC System for 'Train Control' as well as some of its Devices (ABC System) but to continue to use the DIY MERG Modules for Layout Control. This means that I will have multiple Systems running within the JMRI Program which has overall control of nearly everything. The introduction of Apps such as 'WI Throttle' and 'Engine Driver' now gives me the choice of adding 'Train Control' to the Tablet that the user carries around with them if they choose to move around the whole layout and does this removes the need for several Lenz 'Cabs'?
My question is:? "How do I put all of this together, in a logical sequence, that allows full Control of the layout and of the locos running on it?"
Dave
