This article describes how to set up a direct connection to the machine which omits routers, hubs and switches that can add complexity and may not work even if you are able to ping the machine. If you are connecting your laser through a Router, then this article is not the one you need.

Before we begin, please read the following:

Please also consider reviewing this article if terms like IP, Subnet Mask, Host ID and Network ID seem like a foreign language:

Why your IP address matters and describing it in terms that are easier to understand

-Your MAC most likely will have a WIFI connection and will likely not have separate hardwired Ethernet connection.  If it does not have a built in Hardwired Ethernet port, then you will need an adapter like this. Not all adapters will work with all MACs, your hardware and OS will vary. Please buy one that will work with your specific machine. Source one locally or through Amazon and install per the manufacturers instructions. 

-The hardwired Ethernet connection does not need "internet" and neither does the Laser Machine, leave that to your WIFI connection.

-Most people are using a WIFI connection in conjunction with a direct cable connection to the laser machine. If your computer's WIFI\internet IP is 192.168.1.xxx, it is advised to change your machine to 192.168.x.100 and then manually assign your computer's hardwired connection a 192.168.x.101 address where the 'x' is a number other than 1 (generally a 2 works for the X so 192.168.2.100 for the machine and 192.168.2.101 for your computer).

-If your computer assigns an address like "169.254.xxx.xxx" that is an indication that you have connected a device without a DHCP server present on the Network, you will need to set that connection to manual IP assignment and assign an IP to the PC's Ethernet connection. Typically your router\modem would provide the DHCP server to assign IP addresses to devices but without a router present, you must manually assign the IP.

- Cable - The included Ethernet cable will work. You can use longer patch Ethernet cables as well if needed. Ethernet is generally limited to 100meters. Plug it directly into your computer and directly into the machine, nothing in between (except a USB converter type device) . No need to run it to a router, modem, hub etc.

-Find My Laser - The Lightburn function for "Find My Laser" does not work with Ethernet.

Config Wizard:

You can try this wizard to guide you through the configuration

Prework and IP Selection:

You need to complete these steps in order to be able to complete the configuration of the IP properly. If you skip these steps, you will likely have issues.

WIFI IP CONFLICT CHECK:

(This is important, do not skip):

On your MAC , open up the network preferences window and click on your WIFI connection, it should display the WIFI connection  IP on the information to the right for each connection as you click through them. In the example below, the network is 175.0.0.xxx and the MAC is assigned a 175.0.0.01 IP. This user could use the default machine IP of 192.168.1.100 and set their hardwired Ethernet adapter to 192.168.1.101.  If this user WIFI had an IP of say 192.168.1.34, then we would want to make the hardwired connection to the machine 192.168.2.101 to avoid a collision with the WIFI (avoid having 192.168.1.xxx for both the WIFI and hard wired Ethernet)

Choosing an IP Address Scheme for your  Hardwired Ethernet Connection:

If your WIFI IP address was in the 192.168.1.xxx range then:

In step 1: Set the Laser machine IP to 192.168.2.100

In Step 2: Set the computer hardwired Ehternet IP to 192.168.2.101 and subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

In Step 3: the Lightburn target device IP to 192.168.2.100

If your WIFI IP address was NOT in the 192.168.1.xxx range then:

In step 1: Skip, the default IP is 192.168.1.100 already

In Step 2: Set the computer hardwired Ehternet IP to 192.168.1.101 and subnet mask to 255.255.255.0

In Step 3: the Lightburn target device IP to 192.168.1.100

1. Changing the IP of the machine (If you are using the default IP of 192.168.1.100, skip this step).

2. Setting the IP for the computer connection.

1. Press the "menu" button on the machine and navigation to the Ethernet IP settings selection. Press Enter.

2. Use the "menu" button to navigate between the IP number boxes. Use the left and right arrows to select a digit and then the up/down arrows to adjust the value.

3. Press enter to save the IP setting.

Press the blue MENU button and then navigate with the Up and Down arrows to Ip Config+ sub menu. Press the green Enter Button	Use the blue MENU button to move between IP boxes. Select each digit in the box with the Left and Right arrows. Set each digit individually with the Up and Down arrows.  Press the green Enter button to save your settings.

Step 2: Setting the IP on your computer (Required):

 

Your Ethernet connection settings depending on which option you need:

Note that this is not your WI-FI configuration, do not change your WIFI configuration. You will get booted off the internet and still won't be able to connect to your laser.

Use this option if Laser Machine is set to 192.168.2.100:

Use this option if Laser Machine is set to 192.168.1.100:

Older OS (Your IP settings may vary)	Newer OS (Your IP settings may vary)

Step 3: Lightburn Target device Setup for Ethernet (Required):

When you create a device you can select it as Ethernet and enter the IP. If you need to edit the IP after creation, you can do it from the Edit> Device Settings window in Lightburn.

Create\Edit the device, select Ethernet and then assign your selected IP, could be 192.168.1.100 (default) or your custom IP like 192.168.2.100	Or check the IP by going to Edit>Device Settings

Troubleshooting Steps:

Basic Troubleshooting:

If the Laser does not connect to your computer, check this list of Common Things Missed:

-User has multiple Devices set up in Lightburn but has not selected the correct one in the Lightburn Laser Control Window.  Rename the Device to have "_Enet" in the name so it is easy to select, delete other unused devices vs just naming them all Ruida.

Next to the Device Selection there should NOT be a dropdown for a comm port that usually says "(Auto)"

-Right Click on the "Devices" button in the laser control window to kickstart the communications, if connected it will say "Ready" above the Pause button

-User did not set computer Hardwired Ethernet connection to "Manually", or set the incorrect Subnet Mask or IP Address.

Double check your setup to make sure you did not assign the same IP of the Laser to your computer as well. In this example, the Computer is 192.168.1.101 and the machine would be 192.168.1.100

(Subnet mask can be 255.255.0.0 or 255.255.255.0, not 255.255.255.255)

-User did not change Laser machine IP if needed. Use the screen on the Laser Machine to set the IP correctly (generally 192.168.1.100 or 192.168.2.100 but will vary by users network needs)

-User did not set up Lightburn Device with the correct IP to match what they set on the laser. Make sure the IP listed in Lightburn matches the IP listed on the Laser Control Screen

Lightburn set to 192.168.2.100	Laser IP set to 192.168.2.100

-Pressing enter to save the machine IP settings, double check them again. If you set the numbers but then pressed the "ESC" button, they are not saved

-Power cycle the machine and check again. Look for "LAN ON" in the lower bar of the machine display

-Replace Ethernet cable or plug directly to your Ruida Controller. Troubleshooting Ruida Communication Issues - Plug Direct to Ruida

-Ping the Laser Machine at the IP you assigned to it and verify it replies back

Further Troubleshooting:

-Plug USB to Ethernet adapter as directly into the computer as possible, eliminating Hubs and other converters

-Try a different computer or adapter

-Turn off WIFI connection for your computer

-Verify no other device is assigned the same IP as your Laser. Turn the laser off and "ping" the IP address you assigned to the laser, it should not respond.

The What if I have it all sorted out but it is still not connecting:

Ok, so here is a likely scenario. While you were addressing the laser and computer connections, you might have created a "Duplicate IP" scenario where say both devices were assigned the same 192.168.1.100 IP address for example. Well, there tends to be a lockout of that IP address so try this.

-Change the MAC IP Address again, like add 2 to the last number, make it .103.

-Change the Machine IP Address again, like subtract two from it and make it .98

-Unplug the cable from the MAC and Laser, plug the cable back in to both

-Then change the MAC IP back to say .101 and the Machine IP back to say .100. Then confirm that the MAC and Laser are talking in Lightburn.

If all of the above does not work, please email tech support at support@thunderlaserusa.com

Additional Resources:

Lightburn reference:

How to setup Ethernet device step by step (input your specific IP's needed):

https://forum.lightburnsoftware.com/t/how-do-i-connect-a-ruida-controller-with-ethernet/7672