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USB Com Port settings for multiple networks


oggydavis

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Hi, I have a rather simple setup, one 8 box, one 4 box, and a pixel tree. I am running all of them off of one enhanced network with a high speed adaptor. I want to add in a PUP so that I can on demand play a song or do something fun.  

I have a PUP, I have an old Red adaptor (it might be dead). I can get the pup to test fine if it is the only thing on the network and it is set to regular. If I have it set to regular and try to put the pup at the end of my network (yes I changed the ID so it wouldn't conflict), none of my boxes show up.

SO. I figure 2 networks is the way to go, not an issue, I do have a powered USB Hub and I do have 2 USB A ports on my computer. My question is if I set up the 2 networks on the HUB, what COM port do I select? I get that the LOR Network need different names, Regular, Aux A, but do I set the com port for both of them to com 3 since they are on the hub. Doing investigating in device manager, com 3 is the com that the HUB is plugged into and com 4 is the other one. So having the LOR Network adaptor plugged into the HUB it seems like both should be on com 3. 

Like I said my red adaptor might be dead and that may be why my 4 hours of trial and error have not worked, but I thought I would ask here just incase. Thanks

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Each RJ485 usb plug will have a different com port. I am not sure what a hub is but I believe one Com port Number will be associated with the hub and then the other network will be Plugged into the computer separate from the hub and it to will have it's own com port number. Then you set up which Com port is the regular network and witch is Aux A. I was using 6 Highspeed rj485 usb adapters for 6 networks and that started to become like spaghetti coming out of my computer. I have started using a Pixielink this year instead of the 6 networks. I now run my show out the computer's Network plug into my home network then to the Pixielink which has 6 output ports that do the same as the 6 networks used to do. There is also an added benefit to the Pixielink. The network speed is a lot faster. Anyways, I don't think you can plug the Red adapter into the Hub because it will still be on the same network as the hub. Plug in the red adapter to your computer and it will show up as a new com port to select in the Hardware Utility/Control Panel. just a heads up. If you are like the rest of us on here we always add more every year. As the lights/pixel count grows, the need to limit amount per network will arise and that will mean adding more networks. I try to keep my networks to a limit of 2500 pixels. If you want to get out in front of any future expansion I would suggest looking into a pixielink. Good luck to you and have fun with it. 

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If using a USB Hub - each adapter you plug into the Hub will be Assigned a Different COM Port...

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Easiest way to confirm what the ports are is to unplug any LOR adapters.  Then start the Windows Device Manager (Type Device Manager in the start menu search icon).  Once the Device Manager start, expand "Ports (COM & LPT)".  That will show what ports are currently active.  Then plug ONE of the LOR adapters into a USB-A port.  Look at the Device Manager and you will see a new device under Ports.  Note that comm port number.  Then repeat with the second LOR adapter.  Now you will know what comm ports are assigned to each LOR adapter.  I suggest marking them for future reference.

 

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Turns out it was the dead red adaptor. I was doing everything correctly, I know how to find com ports and how to use device manager and setting up the different networks on LOR. It was that I was getting random results from the red adaptor so I was second guessing my knowledge.

Thanks for the help

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21 minutes ago, oggydavis said:

I know how to find com ports and how to use device manager

So many people don't - hence the reason I gave the details...

One of my standard statements is that if you are using RS-485 networking (LOR or DMX), it is very important to have a spare USB adapter.  Have an adapter fail and your show (or part of it if running multiple networks) is DEAD.  And for spares, it's one of the least expensive spares to buy.

 

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