Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
My Mini arrived yesterday and I am looking to build it tonight.. So I need to start thinking of "how" I am going to use it.
I have cabled LAN to the printers location, so my options are
1. Flash Air (but I will need a wifi extender to use it as I have limited range from my router)
2. OctoPrint using a Pi 3 - I already have this on my mK3 so it will be easy to setup.. But I would need to buy the Pi/PSU/Card to do it
3. OctoPrint using a PiZero - I have a spare so it would be no cost.. But I have the same Wifi problems as 1, so would need to invest in an Ethernet adaptor.
I think the Pi3 is the best way to go.. But before I start spending money, I just wanted to double check that you literally can do NOTHING over the Network? Have they not even opened up FTP or any other "copy" protocol so you can send files to the USB card? I am staggered that they havnt.. Whilst I understand the complexities they face of creating a OctoPi like application, allowing a simple "copy" of files seems like a really simply solution that could be implemented easily.
Thanks for any thoughts you have
Jon
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
If they eventually will patch/update the firmware you can upload your files using the integrated "PrusaConnect" Software:
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@lichtjaeger
I get it.. And thats what I am waiting for... Which is why I don't want to spend money now when the Network features are imminent.
But I just wondered if anyone had found any "back doors" which could allow some limited functionality (i.e FTP).. All i want to do is transfer the file to the USB.. And then I am happy to use the controls on the LCD to start the job..
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
At this moment printer asks for IP address via DHCP and you can connect to its webpage. The page loads in very wonky way, if it loads, it displays only Under Construction gif and temperatures. Nothing to do there yet. Eventually Prusa Connect should come with firmware updates, not sure when though.
You can still buy Pi3 and use it meanwhile, it may take quite a while until it gets functional given current cadence of firmware updates (last one was almost 2 months ago). After Prusa Connect gets more or less useable you could still potentially use it with Octopi for webcam, maybe it will support remote control over Ethernet even, or re-purpose it for something completely different (surveillance with Motioneye or media player or whatever).
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
At this moment printer asks for IP address via DHCP and you can connect to its webpage. The page loads in very wonky way, if it loads, it displays only Under Construction gif and temperatures. Nothing to do there yet. Eventually Prusa Connect should come with firmware updates, not sure when though.
You can still buy Pi3 and use it meanwhile, it may take quite a while until it gets functional given current cadence of firmware updates (last one was almost 2 months ago). After Prusa Connect gets more or less useable you could still potentially use it with Octopi for webcam, maybe it will support remote control over Ethernet even, or re-purpose it for something completely different (surveillance with Motioneye or media player or whatever).
Cheers.. If I do go down the Pi3 route, I will just backup the card from my Mk3 and create an exact copy as I have a Pi3 configured exactly how I want it, with all the plugins I want.
I would rather not go down the Octopi route if I am honest, but I can get a Pi for less than £30 and have PSUs and SD cards lying around, so its not a big deal.. I was just hoping that there was some minimal Network functionality that I could use.
Thanks for your thoughts.. I appreciate the time.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
I don't think FlashAir is viable. The Mini does not have an SD Card slot. It might work with a USB SD Card reader, but that means you need USB SD Card reader...
Prusa Mini Silicone Bed Leveling Mod: https://bbbenji.github.io/PMSBLM/
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
I don't think FlashAir is viable. The Mini does not have an SD Card slot. It might work with a USB SD Card reader, but that means you need USB SD Card reader...
A Toshiba 8GB FlashAir with SD->USB adapter works fine for my Mini. Same configuration as I use on then Prusa i3 MK machines.
Tried a larger 64GB FlashAir SD card, but it will not work - think it has to be because of the filesystem format.
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@area51
If it reads only FAT32 formatted cards and not other filesystems like exFAT, NTFS or some Linux variety, then size will be limited to 32 GB and maximum file size to 2 GB.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@crawlerin
Haven't investigated the 64GB card problem. I just the first try of the 64GB from my SL1 (works fine here), then the 8GB from my MK2.5 and it worked... 🙂
I'm sure that you are right - exFAT or FAT32 would properly work, but not NTFS or Linux ext3/ext4 filesystems.
It was just a quick fix while I am waiting for real network file access to SL1 and now also the Mini...
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
A FlashAir card would be ideal for me.. I use one on my MK3 and its flawless... BUT.. My Mini is going to be way out of range for a FlashAir, so I would need to extend my Wifi and this wouldn't be cost effective.
I need a solution which uses a cabled LAN connection.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
A FlashAir card would be ideal for me.. I use one on my MK3 and its flawless... BUT.. My Mini is going to be way out of range for a FlashAir, so I would need to extend my Wifi and this wouldn't be cost effective.
I need a solution which uses a cabled LAN connection.
If you can run Ethernet cable there, put something like this at the end of the cable (alternatively this one or 802.11ac variant). Set configuration as Wireless ISP Access Point, configure same SSID, authentication method and password as your current home Wifi, set it to different channel than your other wifi and you are set. Ethernet backhaul makes sure they are all on the same network.
Actually, any other Wifi device would work, even your old home Wifi router which could be used to boost Wifi reach and add few more Ethernet port. Just make sure to set static IP address, turn off DHCP + NAT + firewall, connect it to one of Computer/LAN ports instead of Internet/WAN and set the same SSID and password as your home Wifi if you want, then your Wifi devices will automatically roam between your home router and this extension.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@lichtjaeger
Hello, I have connected Prusa mini version fw 4.0.5 to lan network and on web interface I have informative data see picture. I was expecting to be able to enter g-codes as you do with your printer. What is your version of fw? or where am I making a mistake? Thank you. Klimš
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
The image is from a developer version of the software. There is currently no released firmware with gcode upload feature.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@lichtjaeger
I get it.. . All i want to do is transfer the file to the USB.. And then I am happy to use the controls on the LCD to start the job..
If you are able to manually use the controls to start the print job/control the printer, why spend the time & money on a temporary network workaround when you could just physically swap a USB thumbdrive? I can understand wanting to start/stop/control a print remotely and needing to be able to transfer files over the network for that.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
Sure, why bother waiting for the elevator when you could just use the stairs? 😉
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
My Prusa Connect interface looks nothing like this screenshot. Only Dashboard and Temperatures pages are available.
Also no Z height and Speed info.
Latest 4.2.1 firmware.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
@eugene-nep
Prusa Connect Local has not been fully implemented yet. We all live in hope its in the next revision.
You should get the Z-Height and Speed though. At least I do.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
You should get the Z-Height and Speed though. At least I do.
Yes it shows height, speed and flow rate in addition to print and finish time.
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
If they eventually will patch/update the firmware you can upload your files using the integrated "PrusaConnect" Software:
Thanks for the heads up.
Is there a chance to know, how long it will tke until this will be implemented? Weeks, Months, Years?
RE: Can you do ANYTHING with the Mini over Ethernet?
I realise OctoPrint isn't for everyone, for whatever reason, but it does all that stuff plus more without loading the printers mainboard.