# I want to hook up my Mini's to my local network without using a Raspberry Pi, is this possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** LulzBot Mini\ **Created:** [April 14, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296 "2016-04-14T16:37:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CheeseJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@CheeseJam](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CheeseJam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/1 "2016-04-14T16:37:23Z")
Hello! So here’s the situation: At work we have several Mini’s (and some planned Taz 6’s). We also have a LAN network connecting all of our computers; it has not internet and no Wi-Fi capabilities. I want to be able to network all of my 3D printers to our network, but I am not allowed to use a Raspberry Pi because it is not an approved hardware device–no Linux based computers are. Windows based computers are approved (up to Windows 7). So, what are my options to control my printers on our local network? Here is what I was maybe thinking: Use Octoprint for Windows on kind of a master control computer that would be plugged into all of our printers. Would other computers on the network be able to control the printers? Use some sort of USB to Ethernet adapter that let’s anyone on the network control the printers from any computer connected to the network? Does technology like this exist? Any other ideas? Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ttabbal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/db5fbb/32.png) [@ttabbal](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/ttabbal)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/2 "2016-04-14T16:50:53Z")
That’s a bit ridiculous. Up to Win7, not even the latest OS? I think Octoprint can do what you want it to do. You would have to connect all the printers to the one computer. Then that machine would be on the network and anyone wanting to print would connect to it’s web interface. I’ve never tried to use more than one printer with it though. The only small form factor device I know of that can do that is the Rpi. If Octoprint can’t do it, maybe one of the other packages can… Astroprint, repetier-host, probably others are out there too… ---
**Author:** ![wmgeorge64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wmgeorge64](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/wmgeorge64)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/3 "2016-04-14T17:13:07Z")
I am sure not an expert but I think the Raspberry Pi can also run Windows. ---
**Author:** ![i-t-w.com](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/i-t-w.com/32/65_2.png) [@i-t-w.com](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/i-t-w.com)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/4 "2016-04-14T17:49:26Z")
Subscribed Was going to add that we’re testing the new [https://www.matterhackers.com/store/printer-accessories/mattercontrol-touch-t10](https://www.matterhackers.com/store/printer-accessories/mattercontrol-touch-t10) as a solution for clients that want this, but saw “no wifi / no linux” ---
**Author:** ![CheeseJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@CheeseJam](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CheeseJam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/5 "2016-04-14T18:19:13Z")
> [@wmgeorge64](#): > > I am sure not an expert but I think the Raspberry Pi can also run Windows. Yeah, I think it is Windows 10 only though. > [@i-t-w.com](#): > > Subscribed > Was going to add that we’re testing the new [MatterControl Touch T10 - 10.6" Standalone 3D Printer Controller | MatterHackers](https://www.matterhackers.com/store/printer-accessories/mattercontrol-touch-t10) as a solution for clients that want this, but saw “no wifi / no linux” Yeah, if I could do wifi and/or Linux, I would just use a Pi! > [@ttabbal](#): > > That’s a bit ridiculous. Up to Win7, not even the latest OS? > > I think Octoprint can do what you want it to do. You would have to connect all the printers to the one computer. Then that machine would be on the network and anyone wanting to print would connect to it’s web interface. I’ve never tried to use more than one printer with it though. The only small form factor device I know of that can do that is the Rpi. > > If Octoprint can’t do it, maybe one of the other packages can… Astroprint, repetier-host, probably others are out there too… Thanks. So, I set up Octoprint and I am able to control each printer from any computer on the network. However, I am not able to control multiple printers simultaneously with Octoprint. Any ideas on how to do this? Do I need to setup multiple servers or something? ---
**Author:** ![kcchen\_00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kcchen\_00](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/kcchen_00)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/6 "2016-04-14T18:29:02Z")
> [@wmgeorge64](#): > > I am sure not an expert but I think the Raspberry Pi can also run Windows. No… not Raspberry Pi its a hardware platform 🙂 Octoprint has been ported to [Windows 7 or Mac OS X](http://octoprint.org/download/). I don’t know how well the repositories are kept, so it may not be as “cutting-edge” as the linux distribution. Running hardware capable of supporting Windows or OS X increases cost… an Intel NUC or Mini will run about $300-$500. There are USB extenders which use Ethernet or [Cat5](https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6042) cabling. I use a Belkin USB over Ethernet extender at home which is fairly reliable… but its controlling a sprinkler system which is only sending on and off commands. Its not streaming code like Octoprint… and I think it needs to run a client to see the USB devices. Are the printers centrally located (ie. spread out in one room)? Or are they in different locations within the school? ---
**Author:** ![kmanley57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kmanley57](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/kmanley57)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/7 "2016-04-14T18:33:38Z")
Repitier Server may work for you. I am not sure Octoprint will send the code over the Ethernet. ---
**Author:** ![CheeseJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@CheeseJam](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CheeseJam)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/8 "2016-04-14T19:00:23Z")
Thanks for all for the replies guys! Yeah, the printers are controlled in the same room by the same computer. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of the simple solution first…but we are able to remote control that computer using remote desktop and any of the other computers on the network. Problem solved! 🙂 If anyone was wondering, you can run multiple instances of Octoprint on one computer to control multiple printers simultaneously. I didn’t try it, but read a few articles from people who were able to do it successfully. ---
**Author:** ![wmgeorge64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5fc32e/32.png) [@wmgeorge64](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/wmgeorge64)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/9 "2016-04-14T19:39:11Z")
> [@kcchen\_00](#): > > > [@wmgeorge64](#): > > > > I am sure not an expert but I think the Raspberry Pi can also run Windows. > > No… not Raspberry Pi its a hardware platform 🙂 > > > Are the printers centrally located (ie. spread out in one room)? Or are they in different locations within the school? 😉 Actually the Pi is a mini/micro computer and can run Linux or a form of Windows 10, read about it here \> [Windows 10 on the Raspberry Pi: What you need to know | TechRepublic](http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-on-the-raspberry-pi-what-you-need-to-know/) It just needs to have OctoPrint ported over and since it can already run on Windows 7 may be feasible. ---
**Author:** ![kcchen\_00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9dc877/32.png) [@kcchen\_00](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/kcchen_00)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/10 "2016-04-14T22:09:16Z")
> [@wmgeorge64](#): > > > [@kcchen\_00](#): > > > > > [@wmgeorge64](#): > > > > > > I am sure not an expert but I think the Raspberry Pi can also run Windows. > > > > No… not Raspberry Pi its a hardware platform 🙂 > > > > > > Are the printers centrally located (ie. spread out in one room)? Or are they in different locations within the school? > > 😉 Actually the Pi is a mini/micro computer and can run Linux or a form of Windows 10, read about it here \> [Windows 10 on the Raspberry Pi: What you need to know | TechRepublic](http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-10-on-the-raspberry-pi-what-you-need-to-know/) Um… yeah… a hardware platform. You could possibly run Windows on Raspberry Pi. But you can’t run Raspberry Pi on Windows. ---
**Author:** ![piercet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/piercet/32/12_2.png) [@piercet](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/piercet)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/i-want-to-hook-up-my-minis-to-my-local-network-without-using-a-raspberry-pi-is-this-possible/3296/11 "2016-04-14T22:53:43Z")
I kinda want to make a raspberry pi virtual hardware clone now.