New install of Mesa 7i92 on TCL lathe

robertspark wrote:

I can't understand why you've set up the machine with mint.

sure if you have Linux knowledge or interest. otherwise just use the linuxcnc 2.8.2 iso of Debian buster. done

make use you have your usb dongle plugged in when you install it and it will defect the hardware and install all drives.

mint / Mx / whatever is great (I've had a few of them now) but I've now just settled for the easiest route as it tends to be the quickest too if you mess everything up and have to start again.

Simple answer Robert  is that I was guided to mint  a couple of years ago  by those who seemed to be in the know,   and having committed to that path  it seems easier  to keep going .
I am at a stage where if it would benefit me to be on another "Distro ?" then maybe now is the time to change . 
I am happy to try a different platform ,  add another network card ,  wifi dongle ,  even a steam whistle if it makes the future easier for me .
I want to get this lathe working then move on to Cad and Cam which are of more interest to me than learning a new language.

Suggestions from anyone with regard to best way forward will be welcome .
I am committed though to servo spindle , I believe  differential feedback , and mesa 7i92  . It would be nice if the cost of these was not wasted . 

John,

have you got a spare hard drive that you can swap out?

that way you can keep your mint setup as spare?

I'm not trying to persuade you one way or another and I understand that it can be frustrating (I am NO cnc / linux / linuxcnc expert) but I've slowly got my head into setting up my plasma, mill, lathe, router etc with a 7i92+7i76 (for the lathe) and a 7i76E for the rest on one fanless PC.
 

Sent you test email Robert

So info as requested
Home router IP  192,168.1.254
Mesa IP (default) 192.168.1.121    
IP address of linux PC  set  to 192.168.1.2  as suggested 

Pics as follows :-

 

 

and last one in two installments 

 
 

Does this then allow us to proceed please 

I am sorry that "paint" has turned these around . They were right way up when I saved 


 

Ok John. I used to use another username.

Now back to the task at hand.

Your home network and the mesa network must be different. So you will have to change the address of the mesa card via jumpers.

So after doing that you will have the following.

Home Network 192.168.1.xxx
Mesa Network 10.10.10.xxx

Unfortunately your USB to LAN adapter is a weird beast. Hence I requested the full output of lsusb for that device, which has been omitted. The story with that particular device is that it first identifies as a USB Storage device and requires a command to get it working as as USB to LAN adapter. The below link provides a discussion which may seem confusing but hopefully proves I'm not a little too tipsy or at all.
www.draisberghof.de/usb_modeswitch/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2972

I think the more pragmatic way forward would be to purchase, if funds allow, one of the ethernet cards I suggested. That is if you have pci slot and require a low profile card. Then the setup becomes easier. Debain, depending on the drivers & firmware included, can be a little difficult in setting up wifi.
Whilst it may seem all is lost in a see of troubles that is not the case. Unfortunately whilst a Linux PC is a tool some knowledge is required in the operation.
, more than you would like to gather.

With regard to your spindle, the 7i92 does not support a differential interface, it will support a single ended interface. Functionally the the result is the same, it is the way the signal is transported electrically that differs. The differential signal is has a greater resistance to electrical noise.

Setting up a connection for your Mesa card on the 10.10.10.xxx network.

Under the "Ethernet" tab all that is required is the device (card/interface) you wish to configure. I will leave that up to you. If you need information on how to select that device I can give advice. The important identifier is the so called MAC, this is an identifier unique to every network interface. That always amazes me consider the amount that have been produced and will be produced. This is a simple explanation.
 
Under the "IPv4" tab the below screenshot shows the information required.
Note:Method is manual
Only the IP address fields and Netmask is required. This maybe entered as "24" or the more traditional 10.10.10.0.
There is no need for a gateway as your only have one other the device on this network, your Mesa card. Simple explanation.
There is no need for DNS servers or search domain entries.
Note that the "Connection Name" is editable to something that makes sense to you, I choose Mesa as this is the details to connect to your Mesa card.

I don't know if you are aware but I was the Developer of a "remastered" Mint install disc that had Linuxcnc pre installed. Due to "life changes" I was unable to continue in it's further development.

Honestly if you were Down Under I would be in a position to "gift" you ethernet card to suit, unfortunately postage costs and delays really do not make that an option. If you were in my region I'd help your setup on site for the price of a coffee. 



There maybe some weird typos from time to time, it relates to an unresolved issue with my wireless keyboard on my PC. Yes we all have issues that confound us from time to time.