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January 19th, 2024 18:58
attempting to download a firmware update and need help with the ethernet hookup
I have a hardware device (electric motor drive controller for an amateur astronomical telescope) and wish to install the most recent firmware from the manufacturer's website. They give instructions there that include LAN ethernet connections, something I have zero experience with apart from the fact that my internet connection comes via a DSL modem and ethernet connection to the back of my Inspiron 3670. This connection uses up the only ethernet hookup on the back of the PC. However the instructions begin with connecting the drive controller and the PC using a crossover ethernet cable and a one-to-one connection. Then I can download the update, except that I can't because I no longer have an internet connection because the ethernet that was dedicated to internet has been diverted to the drive controller LAN port. Now I don't understand how I can make two ethernet connections at the same time when my PC has only one connection. Perhaps this is something simple that I have not understood because of lack of prior experience? Do I need a network switch to provide more ethernet connections? I would be grateful for advice how to proceed, this has me baffled. For a view of the manufacturer's update webpage go to https://www.vixen.co.jp/update/star_book_types/
TIA TedR2
RoHe
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January 20th, 2024 00:26
The .exe file is likely the actual firmware update file, given the rest of the instructions.
Changing the IP address doesn't mean your PC needs to connect out to the internet. The device wants to communicate with the PC directly, one-to-one (not over a network), using whatever IP address settings they told you to use. If you don't change the IP address, PC won't see the device and will likely give a "no connection" error, of some sort.
The instructions you posted above say "...using a crossover ethernet cable". You probably aren't using a crossover cable to connect to your router now. So you will need to get a crossover cable, to use but only for this purpose. If you use a "straight" ethernet cable, PC and device won't communicate and the firmware won't get updated.
After you do the update, be sure to (1) re-connect the straight ethernet cable to PC and router, and (2) delete the IP address you entered and set PC back to Automatic IP assignment (assuming that's how it's set now).
RoHe
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January 19th, 2024 20:33
Can't you download the update first, and then switch the ethernet connection?
Might be best to contact Vixen tech support directly for more/better instructions...
TedR2
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January 19th, 2024 22:16
@RoHe Thank you, yes I tried to download the program but did not get a clear result. There is now an exe file with size 2MB on my harddrive however it is not clear if this is simply a gateway that conducts my PC to the real program via the internet, or, if the 2MB exe file is the actual program.
The instructions for update with the W10 system include temporary adjustment of the IP settings with a new IP address and subnet mask code, this suggests to me that my PC needs to talk to their server in real time, which brings us back to the original question, how do I expand my ethernet port count so I can accomodate at the same time ethernet connections to the internet and to the hardware device via crossover cable. Is my reasoning good or have I missed something?
TedR2
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January 20th, 2024 00:58
@RoHe Thank you, your explanation about what the IP address is for has given me the insight that was missing, I now see that I don't need two ethernet connections at the same time. Yes, crossover cable needed, your link to how to geek identified the inexpensive solution of the crossover adapter plug, I have one on order. I think that will see me through now, I really appreciate your help, thank you. TedR2
RoHe
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January 20th, 2024 01:05
You're welcome.
Post back and let us know that the update worked, and happy star-gazing!
TedR2
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January 24th, 2024 18:55
Yes the update worked, the IP codes and the ethernet crossover adapter played nice and the update was successful.
I am astonished that this was possible, the original code was written in 2003/4, the LAN interface was designed at that time, since then Windows has moved thru a number of generations, and the technical staff at VIXEN in Japan have turned over in the intervening years, and they find they have resources to continue support of this now vintage design, twenty years later, and in English! Astounding!
Thanks again for the help.
TedR2
RoHe
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January 24th, 2024 20:36
Glad the firmware update was successful!
Hats off to Vixen for supporting their "vintage" hardware for so many years...