Tutorials

How to connect the ShowNET interface over LAN - detailed instructions, troubleshooting, resolution, tips

If you're experiencing installation problems with the Laserworld ShowNET interface on your computer, these troubleshooting tips should help you.

Before you go through these troubleshooting tips, make sure:

- You have connected the ShowNET interface to the computer either directly or through a switch / router

- You do not use any WIFI for signal transmission

- That the DIP switches are set correctly (see the ShowNET manual for details)

- That the ShowNET interface is correctly powered up with the suitable PSU

 

Shortcut to your connection method:
DHCP Mode
Auto-IP
Static IP

  1. Correct Laserworld Showeditor Software Version installed?


    Only the Laserworld Showeditor Software version 2015 and higher support the ShowNET interface. Please visit the download area, get the very latest software version and install it (according to the installation instructions).

  2. DHCP mode does not work (DHCP mode is DIP switch 6 "on")

    To be able for Laserworld Showeditor to work over DHCP mode, it is necessary to have a DHCP controller in the network the control PC and the ShowNET are connected to. Usually this is a router, but it can also be a Server or hardware firewall. If the network is configured correctly, teh ShowNET should automatically receive an address from the DHCP and thus should become accessible to Laserworld Showeditor.
    • Firewall Settings: If DHCP is set up correctly, but Laserworld Showeditor has difficulties in finding the ShowNET hardware in the network, please check your firewall settings: Laserworld Showeditor must be granted the rights to communicate through the firewall in both directions (in and out). To test if the firewall is blocking the communication, it's an option to temporarily disable it (make sure to switch it on again afterwards!).
    • Anti Virus Software: Some anti virus programs also come with a built-in firewall. Make sure that the anti virus software is not blocking the software (usually you can set programs on a white list in the settings of your anti virus software).
    • Deactivate WIFI: If a WIFI and a LAN connection are established at the same time, there might be address conflicts. Switch off WIFI as long as Laserworld Showeditor searches for the interfaces (during startup). Depending on the system configuration you may switch WIFI on again as soon as Laserworld Showeditor is running.
    • If all this does not work, use a Static IP
  3. Auto IP - all DIP switches are "off"

    In Auto IP mode, the Laserworld ShowNET interface tries to find a suitable IP address for itself within a given network environment.
    • Firewall Settings: If the Interface and the CP are networked correctly, but Laserworld Showeditor has difficulties in finding the ShowNET hardware in the network, please check your firewall settings: Laserworld Showeditor must be granted the rights to communicate through the firewall in both directions (in and out). To test if the firewall is blocking the communication, it's an option to temporarily disable it (make sure to switch it on again afterwards!).
    • Anti Virus Software: Some anti virus programs also come with a built-in firewall. Make sure that the anti virus software is not blocking the software (usually you can set programs on a white list in the settings of your anti virus software).
    • IP Adress Handling Reset: Sometimes the computer saves IP address settings from previous connections. This can lead to irritations if AutoIP is used. If methods described above did not work out, you can try the following:
      Click on the windows button and type in the execute field (in Win 8/10 just type after having hit the windows key): cmd
      Execute with hitting the return key.
      A DOS prompt window opens. Type: ipconfig /release
      Press the return key to execute.
      You can close the window afterwards. Unplug the PSU from the interface and re-plug it in.
    • Deactivate WIFI: If a WIFI and a LAN connection are established at the same time, there might be address conflicts. Switch off WIFI as long as Laserworld Showeditor searches for the interfaces (during startup). Depending on the system configuration you may switch WIFI on again as soon as Laserworld Showeditor is running.
    • If all this does not work, use a Static IP
  4. Static IP mode (Static IP mode is DIP switch 7 "on" plus further settings, see manual)


    The DHCP and AUTO IP feature of the Laserworld ShowNET does not work in every IT environment (e.g. if there is no DHCP server). So it is highly recommended to operate the ShowNET in Static IP mode - also, as this is the most stable opion amongst the three.
    If you want to use a static IP with the ShowNET, make sure that:

    • each ShowNET interface must have a unique IP address in the network
    • the computer must also be set to a static IP address - in the same address space than the ShowNET, but it MUST NOT be the same IP address
    • the IP address must be in the same name space than the computer

    What does "same name space" mean? If the ShowNET has IP Address 192.168.1.123, the IP address of the computer also has to be in the range between 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.254 - but it must NOT be 192.168.1.123! Of course the subnet must also be the same.

    Remember: If you change settings to the ShowNET, unplug and replug the power supply afterwards to make them take effect. 

    How to set a static IP address on the computer (Windows XP until Windows 10 work similar)

    1. You need to navigate to the Network and Sharing Center. There are two ways to head there: by right clicking on the network symbol in the right bottom (task bar):
      Static IP Through Task Bar

      The regular way is: Navigate to the Windows Control Panel and click on "Network and Sharing Center":
    2. You find the active LAN connection under the name of the connection (with label "Access type"). There should only be one active connection. If you see another one here (e.g.) WIFI), deactivate that one during initial connection to the ShowNET, as it may lead to irritations.
      Click on the active connection name (after label "Connections:")
    3. The Ethernet status window opens. Click on "Properties":
    4. The new window offers different protocol and transport options, we only look for something like "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)". Click on it and select "Properties" (a double click does the same):

      By the way: In this window you can also deactivate TCP/IP Version 6 (see troubleshooting below).
    5. The following window allows for specifying a static IP address. Make sure to specify an address in teh same address room as the ShowNET interface (the first three blocks of the IP address must be the same, the fouth block MUST be different). Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 (do not change):
    6. Confirm your settings with clicks on OK. Make sure to set the corresponding IP address on teh Laserworld ShowNET interface correctly as well. Do not forget to restart the Interface after making changed to the IP addresses.


    If above measure did not work on the spot, it may be necessary to consider the following troubleshooting tips:
    • Firewall Settings: If the static IP is set up correctly, but Laserworld Showeditor still has difficulties in finding the ShowNET hardware in the network, please check your firewall settings: Laserworld Showeditor must be granted the rights to communicate through the firewall in both directions (in and out). To test if the firewall is blocking the communication, it's an option to temporarily disable it (make sure to switch it on again afterwards!).
    • Advanced Sharing Settings: Change the Advanced Sharing Settings for the particular network to "Private". This should enable the device visibility of the computer to teh LAN, so the ShowNET can identify the computer properly as well. This is how it is done: Follow The steps for setting the Static IP Address until number 2. In this window you can change the setting with a click on:
    • Anti Virus Software: Some anti virus programs also come with a built-in firewall. Make sure that the anti virus software is not blocking the software (usually you can set programs on a white list in the settings of your anti virus software).
    • Deactivate IPv6: The ShowNET uses the standard TCP/IP protocol. However, in some rare cases and at some very specially comfigured computers it may happen, that a conflict between the two IP versions IPv4 and IPv6 occurs. To make sure that this does not negatively influence the signal transmission, we recommend to switch off IPv6.
    • Deactivate WIFI: If a WIFI and a LAN connection are established at the same time, there might be address conflicts. Switch off WIFI as long as Laserworld Showeditor searches for the interfaces (during startup). Depending on the system configuration you may switch WIFI on again as soon as Laserworld Showeditor is running.

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