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Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

If you have the ability to edit router settings, as I do, you can give the GainSpan entry (for the LCS device) a static IP address. That way, it will always be served the same IP address by the DHCP server.

I think I have that configured ok. Thanks for the comment. There was no alternate DNS server listed in the details, so I left that blank in "Properties" and it seems ok. Guess I don't need one . This works.

Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

If you have the ability to edit router settings, as I do, you can give the GainSpan entry (for the LCS device) a static IP address. That way, it will always be served the same IP address by the DHCP server.

I did the same thing with my network today. 

 

I have a tower PC in my train room with a wired Ethernet connection (no wireless adapter in it).  My LCS WiFi is on my home network communicating to a wireless access point in the room below my train room.  I didn't want to have to use wireless in my tower PC just to communicate with the LCS WiFi.

 

So, I found the MAC address of my LCS WiFi, and set it up with a reserved IP address(e.g. static IP address) on my home network router.  Note that when doing this, the reserved/static IP address must be outside the range of IP addresses being managed by DHCP.  I went into communications configuration on the LSU app and specified WiFi and entered the reserved IP address of the LCS WiFi.  Bingo, I have communication with the LCS WiFi using the wired Ethernet connection of my PC.

 

Now I can disconnect the L-O-N-G serial cable I had hooked up to my PC for when I wanted to run LSU.

Originally Posted by MartyE:

Just got word that the new version of LSU is available now from Lionel.

 

The new features of this release are:

Connects to LCS WiFi module in addition to supporting a wired serial connection to Legacy 990 command base

Adds support for Trains, Switches, Accessories and Routes.

 

 

You can get it directly from here or use the software update link here on the Black Module Product Page!  The manual is here.

 

This version will allow you to do much more!  Name and edit accessories, switches, and routes.  You will also as before be able to save your data base, make system modules (requires the black module and system download from Lionel's website), and multi-engine modules (requires a black module).  You can edit ENG names, road numbers and the settings associated with them.  Edit the numerical option panels (lower left and right) to bring lighting features (engine must be equipped) onto the main numerical keypad screen.  There is probably something I am forgetting but that covers the big stuff!

 

The LCS SER2 cannot be used by the Legacy System Utility. To use LSU, your computer must either be directly connected to your Legacy Command Base using the Legacy Y Cable, or connected wireless via a Layout Control System LCS WiFi module.

Many Thanks!  Went through the pain of trying to work out the problem with my SER2 and found my answer here along with the news of the WiFi version coming out!  Very cool!

Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

Chris,

Just remember that Lionel warns you using the LCS system over a home network that is hosting other traffic could result in noticeable lag

Not on my network. No latency at all.

I'm thinking that too. It sounds more like a warning in case...

i just use the Access point mode on the LCS wifi as recommended.   Why do I need it on my home network?  I'm not surfing the web and running trains at the same time, haha.  That's a good way to crash your trains.  It literally takes 2 seconds to switch my iPad from my home wifi to the lionel access point.  Am I missing something?  Seems like a lot of hassle setting static IPs , buying routers etc.  What am I missing?

Originally Posted by cbojanower:

Just remember that Lionel warns you using the LCS system over a home network that is hosting other traffic could result in noticeable lag

 

 

My train room is in a detached building next to our house.  I had multiple CAT5e lines run from the house to it when it was built.  I have a Wireless Access Point (WAP) in the detached building that is connected to the house network.  I put the WAP in specifically for the LCS WiFi, ipad, and future DCS WiFi.  They are the only devices that use the WAP; so no lag for me.  By putting the LCS WiFi on my home network, I can access the Internet (e.g. the OGR forum) at the same time as being connected to the LCS WiFi on my ipad.

 

I think the Lionel caution is just a CYA statement so if someone has problems and is connected to their home network, the customer support rep can tell the person to set the LCS WiFi up by itself before they can troubleshoot.  I can see why they don't want to get involved with troubleshooting customer's home networks.  But, having to use it separately is, IMHO, a pain in the ***.

Originally Posted by SandJam:

i just use the Access point mode on the LCS wifi as recommended.   Why do I need it on my home network?  I'm not surfing the web and running trains at the same time, haha.  That's a good way to crash your trains.  It literally takes 2 seconds to switch my iPad from my home wifi to the lionel access point.  Am I missing something?  Seems like a lot of hassle setting static IPs , buying routers etc.  What am I missing?

Just missing not having to switch wifi...

Originally Posted by cbojanower:

Just remember that Lionel warns you using the LCS system over a home network that is hosting other traffic could result in noticeable lag

 

That is why I opted for a cheap $24 dollar Netgear router and a dedicated trains network  However if you PC doesn't have a wireless card the Ethernet option works too

I have none of this stuff (yet), but I would imagine if someone in the house was streaming a movie on Netflix and someone else in the house was listening to Pandora, there might be some lag in LCS actions on the same network.

 

Ed

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