Can someone help me with Applied Energistics 2?
- Thread starter VincentSF
- Start date
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Ok, so channels are what are used to transfer data in AE2. Any data-storing or data-using device needs a channel. (For instance Import/Export/Storage Buses, ME Drives or Chests, P2P Tunnels, etc.) Things like ME Controllers, Inscribers or Crystal Growth Accelerators, do not use channels. (The controller doesn't handle data itself, it's just a big router)
After this, there are two kinds of network, ad-hoc (without a controller), which can simply only handle 8 data devices, after which the network fails to function.
When you have a controller, all channels become routed, and always goes between a device and the controller taking the shortest route. This also allows you to make use of the dense cable, which can handle 32 channels, rather than 8 for every other cable.
Attempting to overload the cables (i.e. using 9 devices on one Smart Cable line, leading to a Controller) the furthest Device will not activate, claiming to be Missing a channel.
I hope this helps.
EDIT: Also could check here
After this, there are two kinds of network, ad-hoc (without a controller), which can simply only handle 8 data devices, after which the network fails to function.
When you have a controller, all channels become routed, and always goes between a device and the controller taking the shortest route. This also allows you to make use of the dense cable, which can handle 32 channels, rather than 8 for every other cable.
Attempting to overload the cables (i.e. using 9 devices on one Smart Cable line, leading to a Controller) the furthest Device will not activate, claiming to be Missing a channel.
I hope this helps.
EDIT: Also could check here
send channels across over less channels (32 over a single channel)
in other words you can pull 32*8 = 256 channels out of a single smart cable run. where you would otherwise need 8 dense cables
in other words you can pull 32*8 = 256 channels out of a single smart cable run. where you would otherwise need 8 dense cables
it essentially connects two pipes/conduits/cables across an me network.
Say for the sake of a more simple example (although you can use this with me as well, I'm going to use fluids) You have a pump pumping oil, and you are nearby your me network. You can use fluid pipes to transfer the oil through the network via the me p2p tunnel. You first right click with a fluid pipe on the p2p on the side of the oil, to set it to a fluid p2p tunnel (this defaults to ME, if you don't set it) then use the memory card to right click on p2p tunnel.
At the other end you place the 2nd p2p tunnel, and shift-right click on it with the memory card. You can then continue your fluid piping at this end of the tunnel. It's the same principle with the other p2p tunnels.
(I might have mixed up the shift- and normal right clicks - i always mix this up.)
EDIT: And I should point out Each P2P tunnel uses a channel. Alot of people prefer the 2 diamond cost over the Dense Cable's additional Quartz + glass + wool costs.
Say for the sake of a more simple example (although you can use this with me as well, I'm going to use fluids) You have a pump pumping oil, and you are nearby your me network. You can use fluid pipes to transfer the oil through the network via the me p2p tunnel. You first right click with a fluid pipe on the p2p on the side of the oil, to set it to a fluid p2p tunnel (this defaults to ME, if you don't set it) then use the memory card to right click on p2p tunnel.
At the other end you place the 2nd p2p tunnel, and shift-right click on it with the memory card. You can then continue your fluid piping at this end of the tunnel. It's the same principle with the other p2p tunnels.
(I might have mixed up the shift- and normal right clicks - i always mix this up.)
EDIT: And I should point out Each P2P tunnel uses a channel. Alot of people prefer the 2 diamond cost over the Dense Cable's additional Quartz + glass + wool costs.
it is mixed up, shift R-click to set the p2p and R-click to continue on the other end
You have to view the devices on your network like they are on the ends of branches, each dense cable is a trunk that can have 4 smart/standard cables each with 8 channel branches (8x4=32=1 side of a controller 6 sides =192 channels).
If any branch exceeds 8 devices, your system will stop working that or the furthest device on the branch will not work. Consider learning how to use P2P Tunnels to keep your setups from turning in to a quartz rat nest.
Channels have made AE2 harder to use and a bit less convenient but it is more nuanced and interesting to technical minded people. Then again, while is harder AE2 is not without it's perks. You can have a system without a controller so long as you don't exceed the 8 channels, that being said if you use different colored cables you can link the 2 sub networks and interface them both. Even if you just want to treat your setup like a big ass storage you can do this without a controller all you need is 7 drives, a terminal and the power supply block, this wont be enough for automation though.
The only thing I properly dislike about AE2 are the RNG meteors. When you need the logic press you will end up with 5 engineering presses I can't do anything with, can't trade them becasue I play SMP (guess I could cheat the ones I need in and delete one of the dubz but yeah...).
It's not a huge deal, but it's really annoying when you need one type of press and you end up with ten each of the ones you don't need.
RNG, sucks...
If any branch exceeds 8 devices, your system will stop working that or the furthest device on the branch will not work. Consider learning how to use P2P Tunnels to keep your setups from turning in to a quartz rat nest.
Channels have made AE2 harder to use and a bit less convenient but it is more nuanced and interesting to technical minded people. Then again, while is harder AE2 is not without it's perks. You can have a system without a controller so long as you don't exceed the 8 channels, that being said if you use different colored cables you can link the 2 sub networks and interface them both. Even if you just want to treat your setup like a big ass storage you can do this without a controller all you need is 7 drives, a terminal and the power supply block, this wont be enough for automation though.
The only thing I properly dislike about AE2 are the RNG meteors. When you need the logic press you will end up with 5 engineering presses I can't do anything with, can't trade them becasue I play SMP (guess I could cheat the ones I need in and delete one of the dubz but yeah...).
It's not a huge deal, but it's really annoying when you need one type of press and you end up with ten each of the ones you don't need.
RNG, sucks...
Just to mention it: Using rv2 beta of AE2 (which seems to be considered "current" at the moment, with some mods dropping support for rv1), you can disable channels in the config. Doing that will even remove the controller block completely. It will of course simplify everything and remove some game play elements. My advice would be to try channels out for one world play-through, and then call it.
