Network Configuration Guide PLM™ Series Powered Loudspeaker Management™ systems Rev. 1.0.6 Item no.
1 CONTENTs 1 CONTENTS..................................................................................................................................................2 2 INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................................3 2.1 Overview..............................................................................................................................................3 2.2 Ethernet Fundamentals........
INTRODUCTION 2 2.1 Overview 2.2. Ethernet Fundamentals Thank you for choosing the Lab.gruppen PLM Series of Powered Loudspeaker Management systems for your sound reinforcement needs. We are confident that you will be pleased with the performance, unique features, configuration flexibility, reliability, and longterm durability offered by PLM Series products. The PLM Series implements a full Ethernet stack, providing all the standard features and benefits of an Ethernet device.
2 INTRODUCTION 1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel. Under Network and Internet, choose View Network Status and Tasks. 2. Underneath Network, to the right of Connection / Local Area Connection, choose View Status. 3. In the dialog box, click on Properties, and click Continue in the warning dialog. 4. 4. In the Local Area Connection Properties, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on the Properties button below. 5. Proceed as in Dolby Lake Controller Manual, section 2.3.
PLM Series and Dante Networking Features 3 3.1 Networking Overview 3.3 Rear Panel Connections Designed for use on an Ethernet network, the PLM Series Powered Loudspeaker Management system allows configuration, control, and monitoring of multiple PLM Series devices from a PC running DLC PLM Edition software. The user can control the networked devices over either a wired or a wireless connection.
4 Avoiding Single Point of Failure (SPF) Issues 4.1 SPF Overview • • Critical network configurations (such as those transporting audio signals) should avoid “Single Point of Failure” (SPF) scenarios to the greatest extent possible. SPF failures can occur when a network has been designed in such a way that failure of a single part of the network can cause the entire network to fail or cease operation.
Avoiding Single Point of Failure (SPF) Issues 4 4.1.1 Signal type redundancy Use of this topology allows a PLM to receive audio and control signals from a source device using different output types, i.e. a device which can output both analog and AES signals simultaneously. These signals are then designated as priorities in the auto input section. Again, please refer to section 9.12.3.1 of the PLM Series Operation Manual for more detailed information on setting input priorities. 4.1.
5 Network Connections and Topologies 5.1 PLM Series Network Cabling 5.2 PLM Series Topology Overview The common cable categories used for high bandwidth network connectivity are Cat-5e and Cat-6; these are preferred choices for PLM Series network use. However, Cat-5 may be used in limited applications, as explained below. Thanks to the auto-sense and auto-uplink features of the PLM Series’ Ethernet ports, connecting multiple units is a simple task.
Network Connections and Topologies 5 5.2.2 Star or Hub-and-Spoke networks An alternative approach is to implement a network with Star topology, also referred to as ‘hub-andspoke’ or ‘radial’ topology, using a number of Ethernet switches. (See figure 5.2.2.) In such a network, a group of PLMs (typically those inside the same rack) are connected directly to a switch also housed in the rack. These local switches are then connected to a “central” switch. 5.2.
5 Network Connections and Topologies Rack Rack 1000 1000 1000 100 1000 Rack 1000 100 1000 100 1000 1000 100 100 1000 100 100 100 100 Figure 5.2.3: Daisy chained switches 1000 Rack 1000 1000 100 1000 Rack 1000 100 1000 Rack 1000 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 1000 1000 1000 1000 100 100 100 1000 1000 100 100 1000 1000 1000 1000 Figure 5.2.5: Dual daisy chain switch topology 5.2.
Network Connections and Topologies 5 Stage Left FoH 1000 1000 Rack Rack 1000 1000 100 1000 100 1000 1000 100 100 100 100 1000 1000 1000 Stage Right Rack Rack 1000 1000 100 1000 1000 100 1000 100 100 100 100 1000 Figure 5.2.6: Combined network topology distances. The recommended LinkSys switch can be upgraded with SFP modules to support fiber connections (See section 7, References and Definitions, for more information on SFP.
5 Network Connections and Topologies devices (or sinks) for a given latency setting. Table 5.4 shows the limits for a Dante system with PLM Series devices as the sinks. The recommended system is shown in grey in Table 5.4. It has a DLP or PLM as the source (100 Mbps) and PLM Series devices as sinks. The first and last hops are 100 Mbps; all other hops, including those between switches, are 1000 Mbps. If the latency is assumed to be 1.3 ms we can have 34 hops from the source devices to any PLM.
Network Hardware Recommendations 6 6.1 General Recommendations Critical networks such as those used in professional audio systems require infrastructure hardware offering the high level of connectivity and reliability essential for critical, data-intensive applications. Additionally, this hardware needs to be robust enough to survive the rigors of repetitive loading and unloading, and frequent connection and disconnection. Lab.
6 Network Hardware Recommendations LinkSys WAP200 only guarantees the performance of the EtherCon for 1000 mating cycles. In order to provide a more reliable long-term solution, Lab.gruppen recommends the circular metal push-pull connector from LEMO®. These connectors are rated to withstand 5000 mating cycles, and are available in both crimped and soldered versions. LEMO connectors • • • • • • 802.
REFERENCES AND DEFINITIONS 7 The following definitions will help the user better understand some specific terms used in this guide, and in other PLM Series technical documentation. Lab.gruppen has made every effort to make sure that the information here is correct and accurate. Term Description Auto-sensing The Ethernet ports on the PLM automatically determine the base speed of the network connection (10Base-T or 100Base-T) and configure themselves appropriately.
8 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Contact: Lab.gruppen AB Faktorvägen 1 SE-434 37 Kungsbacka SWEDEN Phone: +46 300 56 28 00 Fax: +46 300 56 28 99 info@labgruppen.com www.labgruppen.com Intercooler and Class TD are national and/or international registered trademarks of Lab.gruppen AB. PLM, Powered Loudspeaker Management, R.SMPS, LoadLibrary, LoadSmart, SpeakerSafe and ISVPL are trademarks of Lab.gruppen AB. Dolby, Lake, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
LAB.GRUPPEN AB ► SWEDEN INTERNATIONAL CONTACT ► INFO@L ABGRUPPEN.COM WWW.LABGRUPPEN.
