Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

Line 29:

== Issues with LAN Mode Requiring Authorization ==

~~Before recent firmware updates,~~ Bambu Lab printers ~~had~~ the ability to be controlled over LAN ~~without requiring cloud services or authentication with manufacturer~~. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server. ~~However, the~~ new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref> ~~which~~ is ~~unnecessary~~.

Bambu Lab printers have the ability to be controlled over both cloud and LAN. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server while also allowing cloud access. The new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref> to retain full control. Full local access is still possible and unchanged for those not using the cloud.

This change has drawn criticism for many ~~good~~ reasons:

This change has drawn criticism for many reasons:

* '''Privacy Concerns''': Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations.

* '''Privacy Concerns''': Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations, though previously, the printer was also connected and could be controlled by the cloud even when sending prints locally.

* '''Loss of Offline Independence''': Before, users could have ~~entirely~~ offline setups. The requirement for authentication removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated.

* '''Loss of Offline Independence while also using cloud''': Before, users could have hybrid offline setups. The requirement for authentication removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated to the firmware using the new scheme.

* '''Increased Complexity''': The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.

* '''Increased Complexity''': The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control while retaining cloud functionality<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.

=== Precedents and Comparisons ===

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 == Issues with LAN Mode Requiring Authorization ==
-Before recent firmware updates, Bambu Lab printers had the ability to be controlled over LAN without requiring cloud services or authentication with manufacturer. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server. However, the new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref> which is unnecessary.
+Bambu Lab printers have the ability to be controlled over both cloud and LAN. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server while also allowing cloud access. The new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref> to retain full control. Full local access is still possible and unchanged for those not using the cloud.
-This change has drawn criticism for many good reasons:
+This change has drawn criticism for many reasons:
-* '''Privacy Concerns''': Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations.
+* '''Privacy Concerns''': Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations, though previously, the printer was also connected and could be controlled by the cloud even when sending prints locally.
-* '''Loss of Offline Independence''': Before, users could have entirely offline setups. The requirement for authentication removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated.
+* '''Loss of Offline Independence while also using cloud''': Before, users could have hybrid offline setups. The requirement for authentication removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated to the firmware using the new scheme.
-* '''Increased Complexity''': The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.
+* '''Increased Complexity''': The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control while retaining cloud functionality<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.
 === Precedents and Comparisons ===