JMRI Hardware Support - Connecting Multiple Computers to a LocoNet® Layout
Author: Bob Jacobsen
Keywords: Digitrax Chief DCS Command Station LocoNet Server LocoBuffer java model railroad JMRI install windows

# Hardware Support: Methods to Connect Multiple Computers to a LocoNet® Layout

To connect multiple computers to your LocoNet®-equipped layout using a single LocoBuffer, use LocoNet over TCP. It uses standard TCP/IP protocols to communicate. See the LocoNetOverTCP LbServer, which is external to JMRI.

The LocoNetOverTCP uses a separate non-Java server process, LbServer, that communicates using plain ASCII String messages over TCP/IP sockets, allowing non-Java nodes to also share the one LocoBuffer.

- How to set up LocoNetOverTCP LbServer

## Notes:

- If the computers are all close to the LocoNet, e.g. acting as local control panels, you don't really need any networking to do this. You can instead connect each of the computers to the LocoNet via their own LocoBuffer or LocoBuffer-II (or MS-100, though this is not recommended) and have them individually take part in the LocoNet communications. This doesn't cause any additional communications load. It does cost a little more for the extra adapters, and doesn't permit you to put a computer remote from the layout.

LocoNet® is a registered trademark of Digitrax, Inc.