Wi-Fi DCS Update from MTH

Kevin,

3. I can see all 4 WIFI units, each one shows up as an independent SSID so eventually I want to be able to create a Super TIU, When is this software update going to be available? How many can you link? I need the maximum amount possible or at least the same number of TIU's. Is their a plan to accommodate the use of up to to 5, 7 or 10 WIFI units?

Super TIU is slated to be included the Pro version of the app, due out later this year.

4. Is their a plan to allow more than 5 TIU's to be put in to the super mode?

To the best of my knowledge, no there is not. However, you can try to add additional TIUs by "cheating", although this is not supported. For more information, refer to page 122-123 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book!

PSU1980 posted:

DCS WIFI Guru's

We upgraded 4 WIFI units to the new version so they question is /are

1. After you wait the three (3) minutes and disconnect the unit - How do you know the WIFI unit was actually updated. Their isn't a confirmation.

2. Is their a way to validate the upgrade is on the WIFI unit. I have the base application on both my Iphone 6S and my Droid. 

...

Thanks,

Kevin

1. The WIU will reboot when the upgrade is complete. That's similar to what WiFi routers do when you upgrade them.

2. About the only way (for now) is to log back in the WIU to verify the firmware version. Doesn't actually take long. Did the five at the club last Saturday.

Barry and Matt - Thanks for the answers - We need to pull all the WiFi's units off the NJ Hirailers layout each time we do an upgrade. It would be really nice to have a message pop up saying the upgrade complete much like  when you upgrade the remote or TIU. I realize MTH is putting a lot of resources behind the updates - but that is a huge miss for many reasons including the lack of documentation in the recently released WIFI manual. 

Barry, your tight with these folks - please see what you can do. Simple and easy documentation + next upgrade because they are coming needs have a window saying, after the 3 minute wait an automated pop up window should appear with ===> Upgrade complete - power down and disconnect. Or what ever term they want.

That's a must.

Kevin

Kevin,

We need to pull all the WiFi's units off the NJ Hirailers layout each time we do an upgrade.

There's no need to take the WIUs off the layout, or disconnect them from their respective TIUs, to do the firmware update.

I just updated my 3 WIUs by simply turning on the layout upstairs, walking back downstairs, waiting a couple of minutes for them to stabilize, and then just doing the firmware updates downstairs at my Mac.

please see what you can do. Simple and easy documentation + next upgrade because they are coming needs have a window saying, after the 3 minute wait an automated pop up window should appear with ===> Upgrade complete - power down and disconnect

There is already an indication that the firmware update is successful. The WIU reboots, with a message, and then a  minute or so later the login screen reappears. In any case, noting the firmware revision before updating, logging-in after the update and seeing the new firmware revision will give you the explicit confirmation that you desire.

Regardless, I'm sure that MTH is aware that most folks would like to see an explicit indication that the firmware update was successful.

Barry,

Thanks for the info. I will have to start bring a laptop - Old fashion desk top is there now.

K

Kevin,

 I will have to start bring a laptop - Old fashion desk top is there now.

That's unnecessary as long as the desktop PC has WiFi capability.

We didn't pull ours off the layout. Just go over to each WIU and switch it to "MTH" mode and they'll show up as WiFi hot spots to your laptop. Connect to each one and do the upgrade. While it's rebooting, connect to the next one and repeat the process. Afterward we switched them back to "Home". I'm not sure how we'll need to configure them when the "Pro" version of the App is released, so for now all of them, along with the Legacy WiFi are on the club's wireless

Matt,

so for now all of them, along with the Legacy WiFi are on the club's wireless

If you assign each a static IP address via your router, you won't even have to switch them to MTH mode to do firmware updates. In fact, you won't even have to touch them at all.

Thanks for the tip, Barry. I had already put the WIU's on reserved IP addresses when we got them. Hopefully the pro version of the software allows this configuration for Super TIU mode.

Unfortunately, the desk top PC is about 7 generations old - So no WIFI - In fact, I don't think WIFI was a thought at the time the ones we have were built. 

So, we will make due with what we have.

Matt,

Hopefully the pro version of the software allows this configuration for Super TIU mode.

At this time, I see no reason why it would not. 

Thanks for the tip Barry, static IP is the way to go. I really love the ease of use and reliability of this Apple router.

RJR posted:

I wonder what percentage of DCS users use the all engines feature.

Better reply late tahn never.

We at the club (20 members) frequently use the ALL feature specialy during Open House sessions.

PSU1980 posted:

Unfortunately, the desk top PC is about 7 generations old - So no WIFI - In fact, I don't think WIFI was a thought at the time the ones we have were built. 

So, we will make due with what we have.

If your old computer supports USB, Netgear makes and USB WiFi network adapter that works very well.

Will this app development stop now?

Will we get the rest of the features in the pro version?

How about the functions list for consists (lash-ups)?

ie. Track signal?

Could we get engine sounds list to have actual descriptions?

Etc.. Etc..

According to the App Store, the last update was 2 years ago. I wouldn’t count on any new updates for obvious reasons. But you never know.

I have the app installed on an old iPhone 6 which is dedicated to running trains. Because it is an older iPhone version, it does not receive any iOS updates which would potentially break the app. Fortunately, I only have a small fleet of MTH engines. Once the app quits working, I’m dumping them on EBay. Someone else can enjoy these engines with their thumbwheel remote or pay $$$ for ERR upgrades.

I think once the smoke clears from the current MTH closure we'll know more.  I would think if they are breaking up the PS / DCS part of the company to it's own entity it will take a little time for the dust to settle.  I wouldn't say just yet there won't be any updates.