My current machine is computer with Windows XP and a parallel printer cable to controller. The computer is error prone.

I have a much better computer that I will run Windows 7 and Mach3 on and have purchased a Ethernet smooth stepper and a breakout board.

My knowledge of electronics is very basic so I have some questions about setting this up.

Is the circuits PC, Ethernet cable to Smooth Stepper, cable to BOB then wired to controller or from BOB to stepper motors thus making the controller obsolete.?

The controller has a lot of heavy electronic gadgets inside and some fairly hefty cables leading to motors so can a little BOB actually replace this or does the BOB get wired in to the controller?

I would appreciate an explanation,

Thanks

Norman