My Raymarine network has multiple MFDs and the RayNet ports are connected to an HS5 RayNet switch (basically a proprietary ethernet switch with RayNet ports instead of RJ45 ports), where I also have a Radar connected. This is a "private network" for Raymarine devices and given the high traffic and importance of Radar communications, etc. I would prefer to keep only these devices attached to that network.
The Cerbo GX will be connected to my on-board Ethernet Network, wired to an ethernet switch, so I can have a wired connection (since where the unit is installed won't have a great WiFi signal).
The Raymarine integration documents show connecting the Cerbo GX ethernet port directly to the RayNet port on the Axiom Pro MFD, but since the Axiom Pro (and Cerbo GX) only have a single ethernet port each, this is not possible in my case.
I read a post in the forum about connecting the MFD RayNet port and GX device to the same router, but since the Radar and multiple MFDs connect to the RayNet switch, and the traffic between those devices is critical, I would prefer not to do this (as already explained above). Additionally, RayMarine recommends against this.
I know this integration is fairly new, and perhaps it will improve in the future. For now it seems very limited to "small" systems (single MFD installations, as an example). At least as documented.
Side note if someone at Victron is reading: I would love to help with improving this... have a 20+ years of experience in IT (specifically networking) background!
The MFDs are connected to the on-board via WiFi network (in addition to the private network as explained) so they can have Internet access to check updates, etc. It would be awesome if the Victron Lighthouse App could check for GX devices on all MFD network interfaces (not just the RayNet interface, as it would then find the GX device on the on-board network via the MFD's WiFi connection. When I complete the GX installation next week I will test this to verify (hoping this will work already, but according to the integration document it does not seem likely, which is why I'm posting this and seeking some guidance).
If that does not work, can I use an USB-Ethernet adaption on the Cerbo GX for the additional network connection to my on-board network (for Internet access)? Will there be an easy way to configure it via the management interfaces? Do I need to get into the Venus OS config to set the network routing priorities? If so, the next step will be figuring out how to make this persist after upgrades. :-)
Any insight is greatly appreciated.
