Hi all,
Small update - i have now setup the LAN connection to the mancave to have all 4 ion 2014's setup for Mega-Link to play against each other.
Tested a few games such as Tic Tac Trivia and Battleships, all working great, Hoop Jones in 4 player is cool.
Now something I forgot to mention but you can see from the pictures is that I am only using 1 Key for 4 machines.
The Software does not seem to perform the Key check after its booted into the Main Menu, I have removed the Key (actually the IO board) once its booted and connected it to the next machine, then once that boots up plug it into the next, I have left these running for over 12 hours without the IO board connected without issues.
A couple of minor things to note with this method:
1) Once the IO board is removed you cannot access the setup or calibration buttons, even if you plug it back in after you have removed it, the software doesnt seem to check for new USB connections once its lost one. (Enabling 6 Star will allow you to access volume control, screen calibration etc.). So if you need to make any changes in the setup screens you must do it immediately after boot and before you disconnect the IO board.
2) You have to boot the machines in order, I am using a USB switcher so each time I power up the machines (starting with 1, then 2 etc.) I have to switch the input on the USB switcher to allow it to authenticate the next machine, however the IO board is only powered by Machine number 1 so it has to be on first and always on while booting the others - not a major issue but worth mentioning.
3) This works 100% for ION 2014 but I have not tested it with any other version, it might work on Force or be unique to ION or just ION 2014 I do not know.