Mach3 controling CNC over network

[marting]

Hi, is/does anyone have an idea or experience with trying to get Mach3 control a CNC machine with R990 rutex drivers over the network. It's not that I am currently trying to do so at the moment but have plans about this and so am wondering if this is possible so. I would for sure need some kind of interphase and connector from LAN to DB25 connectors (since R990 input is via DB25 socket). What I'm not quite sure about is wether I would be able to "share" the cnc over the network like a printer (which is probabley impossible since there are no drivers involved with R990) or else if I can get Mach3 to point towards that particular point. I currently have a 3 PC network consisting of P4 (dedicated for designing with OneCNC and all that goes with PC work), P3 (dedicated for cnc machine) and an old timer P1 used for internet browsing and DOS programs mostly. Having said this, I would prefer to run the cnc on P4, since it is the fastest of all 3 but also while the cnc is running I would want to do other things like design etc, in which case i guess I'm asking a lot since Mach3 takes priorities over other programms, it will probably slow down other activities drastically. Anyway, I just dropped down my idea incase someone else has ventured this area before me - any comments are most welcomed.
Thanks

[BobWarfield]

What you're asking sure doesn't sound like a typical Mach situation. I would try to provide Mach a dedicated PC. Consider a GRex as a way of ensuring the demands on the PC are not great.

Best,

BW

[marting]

Hi Bob, thanks for droping by. In fact I thought of grex and have read about how fast it is and less demanding on the pc but have got no experience with grex. Do you think there is a way to hook it up on a network with Grex drivers?
Thanks

[BobWarfield]

GRex talks to the PC via LAN, so yeah, it can be hooked up. You are going to want the pc running mach close to your machine though.

What kind of cnc machine is it? Mill? Router?

Best,

BW

[marting]

I've got a cnc router. I think understand what you mean, one would inevitably need a pc with the machine so that it can be recognised over the network. I had in mind having the machine in one place and the PC in another place and control it from there - but that's not possible.
Ok, having said that we definately need a PC with the machine as described above, is there any way to have the PC and CNC machine on "stand by mode" and starts as soon as recieves data?
Thanks

[GaryCorlew]

google tight vnc you install it on both pc's and it allows you to remote control which ever one you want, its free simple and secure

[marting]

HI Gary, I just downloaded the software. I'll have a try at it later on. I guess that's the best way for networking.
Thanks