Connect to a Ruida Laser via Ethernet
If you have a laser using a Ruida controller, you may want to connect via Ethernet to avoid using excessively long cables. This guide will help you determine an appropriate IP address to use and set that IP address on the laser controller itself.
Networking¶
Ethernet on macOS 15+
If you're using macOS 15 or higher, you'll need to allow LightBurn access to the local network.
Ruida controllers operate over IPv4, or Internet Protocol Version 4, which consists of unique external and unique local addresses within a network. Ruida controllers need a static – or unchanging – IP address.
In order to connect a Ruida controller over Ethernet, you'll need to select a static IP address that doesn't interfere with other devices on your network. If you're comfortable doing that on your own, select an IP address appropriate for your network and jump ahead to setting the IP address on the controller. Otherwise, keep reading for help.
More on Networking
Most modern networking involves DHCP, where addresses are loaned temporarily to devices, like laptops and phones. More in-depth networking information can be found at Google Support, Simple Wikipedia's explanation, or other technical resources like Cisco or Meraki's websites. This is a complex topic with a wide range of possible setups, so we are unable to cover every situation.
Choose an IP Address¶
Choosing a static IP address that doesn't interfere with other devices on your network can be a little tricky if you aren't already comfortable with computer networking, but home networks are usually small enough that we can get by with picking an address that's unlikely to be used already.
For more complex network situations, such as a school or work network, we recommend working with your IT/networking team to select an IP address and connect your laser to ensure that you don't cause problems for your network infrastructure.
1. Find Your Computer's IP Address¶
To start, you'll want to find your computer's local IP address. It will be four sets of numbers separated by periods, similar to 192.168.1.19. See below for tips on how to do that on Windows and Mac.
Windows¶
Open the command prompt (type "cmd" in the start menu or in the Win+R search box). At the command prompt, type ipconfig, and press Enter. Your results will look similar to this:
The line that says IPv4 Address is what you're looking for. Make a note of this address and move on to choosing a unique IP address.
Mac¶
Open Spotlight with Cmd+Space and type IPv4 into the search bar to bring up your IP address in system settings.
Make a note of this address and move on to choosing a unique IP address.
2. Choose a unique IP address for your laser¶
Start with the IP address you found in the previous step. The first three segments need to stay the same, but the last segment needs to be a value from 1 to 255 that isn't already used on your network. An easy trick that usually works is to add or subtract 100 from your computer's address. This makes it less likely that another device connecting to your network will automatically be given the same IP address you choose.
| Starting IP address | Try this IP address |
|---|---|
10.10.1.154 |
10.10.1.54 (subtracted 100) |
192.168.2.201 |
192.168.2.101 (subtracted 100) |
10.100.50.14 |
10.100.50.114 (added 100) |
This trick doesn't guarantee a unique address, so if it's not working, try a few different IP addresses by varying the last segment.
Set the IP address on the controller¶
Note
Some Ruida controllers have different menu and button configurations. This is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule.
On the Ruida controller, use the Z/U or Menu buttons to enter the menu, navigate to IP config+ , and press enter to access that menu setting. On the right side of the screen, the IP address field and gateway will be visible. Use the left/right arrows to move through the octets (sections), and the up/down arrows to change the value. Press and hold the up/down arrows to change the value.
When done, press the Enter button.
Add the laser in LightBurn¶
Ruida controllers accessed over a network are a separate type of connection than connecting directly over USB, and must be added separately, even if you've already added the laser to LightBurn over a USB connection.
Networked Ruida controllers can't be detected by Find My Laser, so you'll need to add the laser manually.
Warning
In the event this communication method proves unreliable, you may want to consider using a LightBurn Bridge, especially if you're using macOS. The Bridge provides a much more stable network connection than the Ruida controller's UDP connection.
Source¶
This guide was originally made for our forums on October 20th, 2019. You can find the original guide here.
For more help using LightBurn, please visit our forum to talk with LightBurn staff and users, or email support.