Paul D,

Relating Layout Editor to a Schematic is a nice analogy.

-Ken Cameron, Member JMRI Dev Team
www.jmri.org
www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org
www.cnymod.com
www.syracusemodelrr.org

Hi Nathan,
I also desire having the same sketch apply to all nodes of the same type and config updates via MQTT seems to be the way to go. Big tick from me.

As you know,? there is still config to be done before a node can connect to MQTT -

I have a similar arrangement with my layout in my garage some 30 metres from my Windows pc running JMRI 4.12 in the study, so I bought a Raspberyy Pi 3 (micro-computer)?for around $100 Aus which runs 24/7 under my layout.? I got some help from a tech friend to install the Linux (Ubuntu) Operating System on the Pi and to also install the Linux version of JMRI 4.12. The Pi has onboard Wifi and four USB ports, enough for the USB connection to the Control Centre and for a mouse and keyboard, plus an HDMI output, These outputs enable to? me to temporarily?use the Pi much like a desktop computer?in the garage by?connecting an old PC monitor, which I find helpful when setting things up on the Pi and controlling the layout directly from it.

I then use the comfort of the study pc to do all the setting up of the JMRI data files; loco roster, turnout table, panel design using PanelPro, etc and store all this data on Google Drive.? Google Drive also runs on the Pi over my home Wifi so that any changes I make on the PC are seen by the Pi and vice-versa.

I also use the Wifi and a cheap Android Tablet (using the Engine Driver Android App)?as a control panel to switch the turnouts and an old iPad Mini 2 and two old iPhone 4's (all using the iOS WiThrotle App) to control the engines.? The iPad can run four throttles (Locos) at once and the iPhone up to two each.? JMRI, Google Drive and the Apps are all free software and friends or family can use the iPhones to run their own locos (they can even use their own phones as the Apps are simple to install and run).? The apps also enable the remote (phone) control of the turnouts so I can wander around the layout to work on the track or on a particular engine to do any troubleshooting.

There's also free SSH and VNC software available to enable me to "see" directly into and control the the Pi from my study laptop rather than setting up the temporary monitor etc in the garage.? If you don't want to buy a Raspberry Pi, use an old "throwout" laptop - which I'd suggest you reformat and install Linux (Ubuntu) 'cos it just runs on old gear whereas Windows 10 can be so resource hungry !

This may all sound a bit techie, but I'm no guru and Google provides so much info to help set up such a system and it's well worth the diversion from modelling to enable you to get awesome control of your layout.

I'm assuming JMRI would be setup the same way but in the computer world a terminal server works like this:

<Server with whatever programs you want available>? -- CAT5/6 --?<Very basic computer/terminal PC> This system boots and logs in directly to the terminal host<server> and runs the programs available on the server.?

You would still need two computers in that instance and the setup would be above most end-users pay grade. You'd be WAY better off just setting up VNC or some other remote app and logging in from one PC to the host. But at that point you might as well run it from the PC locally and share the files back and forth if you need (though only one PC can USE the files at once).?

In our computer shop we've always got old computers floating around for testing and knocking around. If someone needed a basic computer we'd just give it to them. You might ask around your area and see. JMRI doesn't need much to run on.?

You might be able to do what you want by using a Raspberry Pi and the instructions at Steve Todd's site . I have just loaded a $35 RPi (+~$15 for power supply and case) with Steve's pre-configured system and it is very, very easy, even for a non-IT person.

Stefan

Thanks Wayne - the JMRI wepage at??says it can be done with a terminal server.? But I get confused what type of terminal server the JMRI narrative is describing. The Dave Zuhn webpage JMRI narrative points you to is no help to me.? The terminal servers I have web browsed are expensive and don't know which type I need.? Yes I would like wireless connectivity from my laptop with the JMRI software downstairs to the NCE controller upstairs.

I had this problem in Panel Editor. Thankfully as I was working my way through I was saving A NEW FILE every 10-15 minutes because there is no undo option.

I was working away and went to open a menu and it went garbled and superimposed as well. I did all the same things you did to remedy but nothing worked in that file.

Thankfully I was able to go back to the previous one and it worked just fine and has continued working. If you didn't save regularly, you may be able to get a previous version of layout file by right-clicking on the folder it lives in, pick "previous versions" or "restore previous version". It will open a dialog and allow you to choose a version prior to when the problem came about. SOME pc's don't have previous version enabled so you mileage may very.?

So you're basically looking for a wireless USB adapter correct? You want to connect your laptop to the NCE controller upstairs and leave the laptop downstairs? I'm in IT and have not heard of such a device nor seen one out in the wild. There may be such a device but I wouldn't put much trust in it.?

Depending on length and house configuration they do make 50' USB cables with a booster. I've used them for printers in extreme circumstances.?

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Thanks for replying Paul Davidson but I apologize for not making my problem description more clear.? I do not possess a second computer nor do I want to acquire a second computer to dedicate to model RR operations.

JMRI software is free. No reason you can't download a copy to your second computer. However, to share the same files would? probably require you to have both computers on a common network with permissions to let one look at the files on the other. If that is a problem, get an external storage device and put all your JMRI files on that device so you can use the files on either computer. That would require you to set up JMRI on each computer to look at the external storage device for all its file info.

The best place i to report this is to create an issue at
Less chance of being lost in the forum. You would need to create a github account is I remember correctly.

--
Peter Ulvestad

JMRI Users Group Moderator - ( )
Tam Valley Group Moderator - ( )
Sprog-DCC Group Moderator - ( )
Edmonton Model Railroad Association -

Paul - Thank you! That makes it make SO much more sense. Is it better to learn one and then move to the other? I've seen it mentioned that their both pretty interchangeable, wasn't sure if learning one had any advantage or made the other component easier.?

HI everybody,
I've just registered to join this group as I have a problem.
At this point in time I have laid my track installed 42 Cobalt iP Digital point motors.
Wired the layout tested all track with a multimeter including Programming track, everything thing checks out OK
Downloaded JMRI latest version and Java 1.8
Using NCE PowerCab through NCE program track relay device
Panel Pro - Created panel installed the turnouts they all work. I even set up WiThrottle with my Andriod and it works?

NOW HERE'S THE PROBLEM
Decoder Pro has installed I've followed the instructions
I only have a roster of three diesels two have DCC Concepts Zen Z360 decoders and the other has a Zen Z218 decoder
When I request for the decoder to be read the all three decoders are identified as Massoth Elektronik GmbH decoders no specific model is chosen?
Address is quoted as 15227 and manufacturers ID as 123 whereas ZEN decoders are ID 039. In fact 123 appears as the short address and version ID also.
I have no other decoders to verify whether this is a generic problem or only related DCC Concepts Zen decoders
ANY assistance / advice would be appreciated
Gary

Hello,
I have JMRI running on a Lenovo Yoga with Win10 installed.? My controller is a Digitrax Zephyr extra ACS51 with a Digitrax LNWI.? I currently control my layout with Engine Driver installed on an Android Phone and it works well.? My Question is can JMRI connect to loconet through tcp using the LNWI as the adapter instead of the PR4 for example?? If I connect my laptops wireless to the Digitrax LNWI signal and start JMRI with my connection set to Loconet over TCP, it connects and both Service Mode Programmer and Operations Mode Programmer show Green and Online.? When I try to read the the decoder on my locomotive or the controller op switches it just gives me a time out talking to command station error (306).

Ive looked on forums and through the messages here and cannot find exactly this issue.? Am I just trying to do something with JMRI that hasn't been programed into it.? I just thought that's why the Loconet over tcp option was there?

Thanks for any feed back,
Much appreciated
Shag

Only slightly off topic but the story of the development of the map for the London underground transit system which culminated in 1933 with a layout diagram style that is now used by virtually all public transit systems in the world is worth a read. See wikipedia or?https://londonist.com/2016/05/the-history-of-the-tube-map . It covers all the issues being discussed here of being understandable (seeing what relates to what and how), readable (having room for indicator lights and labels) and scaling (fitting geography and varying densities into a finite panel size).

Jan