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Configure Java Central Station

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Frans Jacobs edited this page Nov 22, 2025 · 5 revisions

Preparing JCS for the first Run

Before you can use JCS a few settings have to be configured. When JCS start it will check if the is a directory "jcs" in your home directory. If the jcs directory does not exist JCS will create it. Tracks, locomotives, etc JCS uses to run the software are stored in a (embedded) database. This database is created in the "jcs" folder.

When the database exist JCS will check if the datamodel needs updating by checking the version number in the version table. If a uldate is necessary JCS will automatically perform the update task.

Configure a Command Station

On the first run JCS will start using a virtual Command Station. The first step is to configure a physical Command Station. To configure the Command Station, open the Setting Menu and click on Commands Station.

jcs-first-run-commandstations

Choose the command station of your layout. Available are:

  • Virtual
  • Marklin CS 2/3
  • ESU ECoS
  • DCC-EX with HSI-S88

Marklin CS 2/3

Choose Marklin Central Station 2/3. JCS can automatically detect the Central Station on the network using mDNS.

command-station-CS3-pre

Click on the Discover button to start the discovery process.

JCS will ,by default, try to connect to a Marklin Central Station. Don't worry if you do not have one, once JCS has started you can change this. In Windows you will get a security warning, like so:

jcs-install-Windows-beveiligingsmelding Allow the use of the network.

Prepare for use with DCC-EX

When JCS is Started for the first time some file for the internal database are created in the $HOME\jcs directory like so:

JCS should now be showing the Main screen

jcs-first-start-main

To configure DCC-EX click on the cog wheel in the tool bar

In the top a Combo box with Command Stations is shown. Currently supported are:

  • Marklin CS 2/3
  • DCC-EX
  • HSI S88

Choose the DCC-EX thick the Enable and Default check boxes

switch-to-dcc-ex-1

Select the connection type, Serial or Network. When you choose Network fill in the IP Address. When you choose Serial, connect the DCC-EX with the USB port and click on the refresh button.

jcs-dcc-ex-serial

The List of serial ports is refreshed, choose the port which is connected with your DCC-EX Command Station.

Feedback Interface

JCS currently does not yet support native DCC-EX feedback. Hence you need an extra feedback interface. For this the HSI-S88 is supported. In the Command Station Combo box select the HSI-S88. Thick the Enable Checkbox. Notice: NOT the Default!

jcs-hsi-serial

Connect you HSI interface and refresh the serial ports. Choose the serial port the HSI is connected to.

plan_v

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