How to netwok 4 built in etherdreams back to my mac book

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Hello i am having 4 Etherdreams fitted in the next few weeks from Rob @ Stanwax. I currently use FB4 connecting from a laptop to the first laser then daisy chain to others in and out
With Ether Dream do I go from the laptop to the say network switch

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Hi James,

It sounds like you might not have much experience with networking - and honestly, that’s one of the most critical skills for a laser operator. Half the time I feel like a glorified network admin (with prettier output lol). It’s really worth investing some time in learning how networks work; it’ll make your setup and troubleshooting much smoother.

But to give you a basic introduction : use a network switch, with a separate Ethernet cable going to each of your lasers. I strongly advise that you also add a router onto the network - it manages IP addresses automatically.

So the setup would be:

  • Connect all four lasers to the network switch.
  • Connect the switch to one of the LAN ports on the router.
  • Connect your computer to another LAN port on the router (or to a port on the switch).

Make sure both your computer and your Ether Dreams are set to DHCP mode (that’s the default for Ether Dreams)

Some lasers also have small network switches built in, which means you can daisy chain a network cable from one laser to the next.

(Note that this is very different from daisy chaining ILDA, which I don’t recommend or support. Each laser should have its own controller for safety, reliability, quality, and just basic professionalism. The Hobby licence is designed for small home setups, so if you’re running pro-level shows, make sure your hardware and licence tier match the scale of the job.)

There is a LOT more to learn about cabling, troubleshooting, tools etc etc, but I hope that helps to get you started, and welcome to the glamorous life of a network admin with lasers :sweat_smile:!

Seb

1 Like
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James, you nailed it. I was going to post this tonight. Thanks, all.

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Seb, thanks as always. I will take your advice and definitely get my head up to speed. I’m looking forward to seeing four lasers doing it with Liberation.

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One last question, Seb, could I use a router with 1 x WAN and 4 x LAN ports to do the job as a single device? I really appreciate any help you can provide. Best James

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yeah that is correct, the 4 LAN ports can be used for Etherdreams, computers, and/or switches to extend the network

some routers will have VLAN’s setup on the lan ports (zyxel ones did this)

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No - don’t use the WAN port. That’s for connecting the router to the internet and runs on a separate subnet, so anything plugged in there won’t be able to talk directly to your lasers.

You want everything - your computer, the Ether Dreams, and any switches - connected only to the LAN ports. Those all share the same local network, which is exactly what you need.

Since your router only has four LAN ports (and you need five), you’ll need to add a network switch to your setup. Plug the switch into one of the router’s LAN ports, then connect all four Ether Dreams and your computer to the switch.

So the rule of thumb is: LAN → LAN only.

Ignore the WAN port completely unless you want to connect a wired internet feed to your set up.

Seb

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Hi Seb thanks for your advice as always Best James