User`s guide

Ethernet Control 63
Ethernet
Control
Ethernet Control
Control up to 127
DVM2s at once
over a standard
Ethernet
network!
Now you can use a powerful subset of commands from the Pioneer/AMI
serial protocol to control multiple DVM2s at once that are connected to a
standard Ethernet network. By sending UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
packets across a network, you can communicate with and control up to
127 DVM2s simultaneously or independently.
A Software Developer’s Kit with C Source Code implementing this
protocol is available on our website at http://www.alcorn.com/support
Hardware and Software Requirements
Any Ethernet-capable show controller or PC with a network interface card can
send messages to DVM2’s located on the same network. To use Ethernet
control, your control source must have a way to broadcast UDP packets
containing arbitrary message bytes to a specific UDP port number (2639). Each
DVM2 must be connected to the physical network via the RJ-45 Ethernet
connector on the rear of the unit. All DVM2s must have different IP Addresses
to reside on the same Ethernet network. IF you plan to send UDP commands to
the broadcast IP address (255.255.255.255), each unit must also have a unique
Unit ID. See the Web Page Setup section for information on setting IP Address
and Unit ID. Only DVM2s running version 0.70 and later of the DVM2
Operating System will be capable of responding to Ethernet control.
AMINet Protocol
The user data sent in the UDP packet follows our AMINet Ethernet protocol.
AMINet was originally developed for use with our Ethernet Machine which
provides an Ethernet backbone for communication between Alcorn McBride
Show Controllers. Now the same, easy to use protocol can be used to control
the DVM2.
AMINet is a very flexible and robust Ethernet protocol that allows for many
different uses; however, only one of AMINet’s command op-codes is necessary
to transmit commands to the DVM2 making the usage very simple.
Control Message Format
The control source will send a UDP packet that contains a DVM2 Control
Message as the User Data in the packet. A DVM2 Control Message is
comprised of a few bytes needed specifically for AMINet and some Command
bytes. The Command simply needs to contain an Addressed Pioneer / AMI