Service manual

98 Encore — Configuration Manual
Section 5 — Router Configuration
This mirroring of Router Controllers is generally hidden from the users and
the routing client applications.
The Router Control application provides the highest level of routing
control in an Encore system, and offers access to the database that defines
the routing configuration. For this reason, this application is not intended
for use by operators. The separate Local Router Panel application allows
operators to change crosspoints, but does not allow configuration changes.
While the Router Control application can also be used to change cros
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spoints (via the Route Screen), its main function is to configure and main-
tain the routing system.
Router Configuration Background Information
Before a Router Control application can control a routing matrix, it needs to
know what hardware is present, and also needs to know the manner in
which that hardware is to be controlled. For example, some routing matrix
frame hardware supports both video and audio signals. It does not make
sense to route audio signal Sources to video Destinations, so this should not
be allowed. It is also convenient to normally switch multiple signals simul
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taneously (video and key, for example), but also allow switching them
independently from one another on occasion (split keys). And in some sit
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uations there may be a need to always switch multiple signals at the same
time without exception (for example, red, green, and blue video). All these
variations, and many others, are possible by properly configuring your
Encore system.
Besides directing the activities of the router matrix hardware, the Encore
Router Control application is also used to configure the system. This con
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figuration process uses a somewhat hierarchal approach. For example,
Physical Matrix configuration is used to identify the hardware present, and
Logical Matrix configuration specifies how that hardware will be con
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trolled. The configuration hierarchy has many interconnections that, when
combined together, allow great flexibility in routing system functionality.
The major components of this configuration hierarchy are described below.
Area
An Area is the highest organizational entity of an Encore system that gen-
erally defines a geographical or functional portion of a facility. Only one
Router Controller (and it’s mirror, if present) is allowed in each Area. Many
facilities operate with only one Area. Areas are defined using the System
Manager application.
In systems with only one routing Area, the Default Area should be used. In
systems using multiple Areas, or systems planned to grow from a single
Area to multiple Areas in the future, the Default Area should NOT be used
for routing. This is because when a new Router Controller is added, it uses
the Default Area until configured otherwise. Not using the Default Area