Enttec Open DMX Kernel Module

[Wolfgang]

Hello

I have installed OLA on a raspberry pi 3  - Kernel 4.1.19-v7+.
I use an Enttec Open DMX USB Device.

The OpenDmx USB Device is shown. and I can connect the Device, Port
and Universe.

But when I change dmx values, nothing happens. The lamps are still
off. So I forgot the kernel module....

Everything could be fine but I do not know how to load the kernel module..
The more I ask Google the more confusion spreads!
What steps do I have to do for it?

Can anyone help, please?

Thank you!

Wolfgang

[Peter Newman]

Hi Wolfgang,

You've got two choices for the Enttec Open DMX USB, the opendmx plugin (which uses the kernel module) or the ftdidmx plugin (which uses libftdi). If you're seeing the device and don't have the kernel module installed, you must be using the latter, which should just work.

You can double check by doing an ls -al /dev/dmx* if it lists any devices, you have the kernel module.

If you're using the ftdi option, have you done the relevant device specific config listed here:
https://wiki.openlighting.org/index.php/OLA_Device_Specific_Configuration#Open_DMX_USB_.2F_FTDI_RS485

Stopping the existing olad, and grabbing logs for olad -l 4 is always helpful to aid diagnostics.

Personally I never had much luck with the kernel module on a Pi, as I think the Pi kernel was newer than the one the module was written for, but there are some docs on the module's official page:
https://github.com/lowlander/dmx_usb_module
http://www.erwinrol.com/open-dmx-usb-linux-driver/

[Wolfgang]

Hi Peter
Thank you for your quick answer!
I can see the DMX-controller as /dev/ttyUSB0

ls -al /dev/dmx* did not list any devices, so I created '/etc/udev/rules.d/10-local.rules' and filled it with:
---
# udev rules for ftdi devices
SUBSYSTEM=="usb|usb_device", ACTION=="add", ATTRS{idVendor}=="0403", ATTRS{idProduct}=="6001", GROUP="plugdev"
---
then I rebooted the Raspi and started OLAD -l 4 again.
I see a

'PluginManager.cpp:112: Started Enttec Open DMX'

which should mean that OLA is working with the Enttec Open DMX.

In the DMX-control (web-UI) I put the needed channels up(255) but nothing happened.
Then I set all channels to 255 - no reaction!
(The same configuration works under windows with freestyle as a charm. => hardware ok!)
What did I not understand?

Wolfgang

[Peter Newman]

Hi Wolfgang,

You still seem to be getting confused between the Enttec Open DMX plugin and the FTDI USB DMX plugin. Have a read of this to hopefully clarify:
https://www.openlighting.org/ola/get-help/ola-faq/#What_is_the_difference_between_the_different_USB_plugins

Unless you load the kernel module, you're going to be using the latter. You want the line about starting "FTDI USB DMX" but it's disabled by default, so you'll need to enable it by editing ola-ftdidmx.conf (or using the new web UI in later releases). Just stop OLA, change enabled = false to enabled = true, start OLA and it should find your device and allow controlling it.

When it's found the device, you'll need to patch it to the universe you're controlling before anything will happen.

[Wolfgang]

Hello Peter!

I finally did it. I have set everything to "enabled = false" that could confilct with the FTDI USB DMX Plugin. Too easy, but now I understand the configuration of OLA. Beiing a victim of thinking too complicated!

Have a nice weekend! And thank you for your patience!!

Wolfgang

[Peter Newman]

Excellent, glad you got it sorted.