Category: Computers and Hardware
Hi,
I have a Sherline 5400 CNC that has been in storage and I am planning on getting it up and running again (it's been some years). I am computer shopping and weighing options and looking into what has changed. My previous setup was a PC Tower with a Parallel port running to a Gecko 540. Instead of replacing that setup in-kind, I am looking into using a small form factor (or mini) computer with a MESA ethernet card. Am I understanding things correctly that I can use a small/mini computer with ethernet, run it to a MESA 7i92TF, which in turn runs to my Gecko 540 (thereby skipping a PCIe parallel port card)? Also do I need to worry about male/female couplings for the MESA DB25 (7i92TF vs 7i92TM) or can it be managed with gender changers (not ideal) or are there signal considerations with gender changers? Finally, to confirm, I should be using the preempt-RT kernel if I am going to use MESA ethernet?
I have been reading here and the docs, but I am still a little overwhelmed playing catchup and appreciate any guidance before I purchase a PC and MESA Card.
Thanks,
Tom
