DX32 Networking

[cncbpt]

I am starting a new thread because this is asking for input on a completely
different matter just same machine.
I want to get networking setup in my home shop so I can program from a desktop and feed directly to the 2 mills.
One machine is the TC-22/Dx32 and the other is a series II cnc running Mach 3
I know how to setup the PC to the series II,it runs windows 2000 and networking is easy there.
The TC-22 is a different matter.
Tonight I installed Win 3.1 and then added Windows for work groups 3.11.
I ordered a N.O.S network card from Ebay that has drivers for WFWG 3.11
and a 5 port hub.
I am not sure about the dos based pc,will I be able to install the drivers from the a: prompt or load them from within the network setup in WFWG?
Do I install the network card and then boot the machine or completely setup the network with cables and all then boot the machine and then install drivers?
I know dos wont auto detect the network card but not sure about Win 3.1.
Also i am curious as to when i get this all working will I be able to put a folder for each machine on the desktop of the programming PC
And then see the programs in the appropriate folder for the tc-22 from the load button in the DX32 screen?
What I am hoping to do is create a folder for the TC-22 and one for the Series II,then when I make a program for a particular machine and save it to its folder with the appropriate post processor just load it at the machine.
I know I can do it thru windows 2000 but will the dx32 software see the folder without going back and forth from the dx32 screen to the widows screen?
I am going to keep a log of steps I go thru to accomplish this so someone else wanting to do this can just read how to do it.
Thanks for the help on this and my last problem getting the TC-22 running

[twodlee]

This discussion is very timely for me as I am about ready to do the same thing to my TC-22 with a DX32. I have the parts, a SMC network card and Windows for Workgroups, just need the time to do it. I am going to try tackling this within the next 2 weeks or so.

My plan of attack was that I would install the card first and make sure everything would still load normally. With DOS machines, memory locations and interrupts (IRQ's) are all manually configured. There is no such thing as plug and play with DOS. I want to make sure that adding the network card won't interfere with the system as is.

Once I had the network card settled in I would install WFW. This gives me 3 things, a driver for the network card, a protocol stack (TCP/IP hopefully, but IPX if I have to), and a utility for mapping a drive to a network share(net use).

There are a set of drivers that come with WFW. If your card is not one of them you will need to install the driver from a disk. That is typically done by going to the A: drive and running the set up program provided by the maker of the card. With WFW already installed, it should just add the driver to the correct spots.

The driver would load in the config.sys. The protocol stack and mapping the share would happen at the beginning of the autoexec.bat.

I don't ever plan on running windows itself on the CNC. It really isn't needed. I just need the networking parts of WFW. They can all load in DOS and if all goes right the controller will just see the mapped drive as just another drive it can access.

One last thing that has come to mind that might be worth mentioning is that Microsoft released a patch for the TCP/IP protocol stack that came on the WFW disks. You may want to look it up to see if you need it.

Brian

[cncbpt]

Brian,
I was in New York all weekend and just got home so I havent started anything yet.
My hub and card should be here Tuesday so I can start then.
Going to get my programming PC setup next and located close to the TC22.
Here is a couple websites I found searching this topic:

Jaliya's Blogs: DOS 6.2 Windows 3.11 Bridgeport CNC Software BXX

Networking Windows for Workgroups 3.11 | Introduction -- Gareth Saunders v.5.1

tcp32b.exe should be the file needed by WFWG for TCP/IP.

As I stated I know very little about networking in dos.
Within windows it pretty much sets itself up
but I am about to learn.
I have a text engraving program I want to use and a sprocket making program I want to use.
This sprocket making program is the reason I bought the TC22 to start with.
One of those big ideas that always have a catch
Will keep this thread updated as work progresses.