+Net™ is the network extension of
zusätzlich zu TrainController™.
+Net™ enables one or more persons, to operate a model railroad layout
with several computers, that are connected with each other by a network. +Net™
utilizes standard network technologies and protocols (TCP/IP), that are available on every modern
personal computer running Microsoft Windows.
Unlike other network based solutions for model railroad computer control, that simply support sharing
of the same digital system between different computers or focus on enabling a remote computer to access
a remotely connected digital system, +Net™ focuses on sharing
and on distribution of the high level model railroad control processes to different computers.
The architecture of +Net™ is peer-to-peer rather than client/server.
That means, that control of the model railroad is shared between different computers with equal rights.
In general there is no dedicated "server computer" nor a centralized interface to the model railroad.
+Net™ also offers a mode that can be tested on a single computer
without a network to be installed. For this purpose it is possible to
start TrainController™
together with +Net™ several times
simultaneously on the same computer. In this mode the running instances of
TrainController™ communicate
with each other through a local program connection rather than from one computer to another over a network.
Even though +Net™ offers so many possibilities for operation of a
model railroad layout with multiple computers you will find, that setup of +Net™
in the software is amazingly simple. Learn more about +Net™ by reading
its manual. Download +Net™ from
here and try it free of charge.
Configuration Examples
In general and in the most recommended case, the computers are connected to the layout through one or more
digital systems and by a separate computer interface for each computer as shown in the image.
The control of this layout shall be distributed to two computers.
The main line (green area), will be operated by the first computer (called "Green" here).
The branch line (blue area) will be operated by the second computer (called "Blue" here).
It is certainly not necessary to use two computers to control such small layout.
For demonstration purposes, however, such small layout is well suited.
The red line in the figure represents the essential core function of +Net™,
namely the ability to distribute objects or make them "visible" over the network .
This function is based on TCP / IP connections between the computers on the network.
In the above image the digital system is shared between different computers by utilizing the possibility,
to connect several computers directly to the same digital system through the Digital System Bus.
- Examples of Digital System Busses are Lenz XpressNet, Digitrax LocoNet or Trix Selectrix SX.
- Examples of Interfaces are Lenz LI101F, Digitrax MS100, an Interface to the SX bus or
any other interface offered for the related digital system.
In an extended configuration it is also possible, to connect "local" digital systems to one computer,
that are not visible to the other computers in the network.
It is for example possible to connect a second digital system to computer "Green",
that is responsible for turnout control or feedback monitoring on the main line.
This is shown in the image:
In the image the local digital system is only operated by computer "Green".
The digital system is not visible to computer "Blue".
The above examples show configurations with only two computers.
With +Net™ it is possible, however,
to create a network with as many computers as desired.
Establishing a Virtual Digital System Bus with +Net/D™
Users of digital systems without such digital system bus can share their digital system between different
computers, too, by installing +Net/D™, which is an extended variant of
+Net™.
The recommended and optimal way to share the same digital system between different computers, however,
is utilizing the digital system bus by connecting the computers directly to the digital system through an
appropriate interface.
In cases where this is not possible (for example because the digital system does not allow to connect several
computers directly), it is possible to use +Net/D™.
+Net/D™ is an extended variant of +Net™.
It provides all features of +Net™. Additionally
+Net/D™ contains a virtual, software based Digital System Bus,
to which additional computers can be connected in order to share the same digital system.
You want to control your system with more than one PC or use a netbook or notebook as a second operator station?
Which of the two above-mentioned products fits best to your purpose?
You will use +Net™, if two or more parts of the layout are largely separated
from each other and will be controlled by of two or more computers.
This is for example useful if you want to distribute the load on multiple computers in a large system.
If the system is, however, completely controlled by a single computer and only additional operator stations
for intervention from other netbook, notebook or desktop computers are desired, then it makes more sense,
to use the Windows version of +SmartHand Mobile™
instead of +Net™.
+Net™ Product Characteristics:
- Distribution of the operation for separate parts of the layout on different computers.
It is for example possible to operate the switchboard for the main station on one computer and
the switchboard for the branch line on another computer.
- Network-wide start and destination keys.
- Network-wide block securing.
- Passing control of manually or automatically controlled trains from one computer to another.
- Network-wide train tracking.
- Distributed execution of semi-automatic control functions.
- Remote launch of manually or automatically executed schedules.
- Linkage of successor schedules across the network.
- Access to the digital system from multiple computers by sharing a common hardware interface.