User manual
1 ' ) 8 3 8 ) ) 8 3 & 5
Link Connections
All CAB Series products feature built-in “Buddy Link” functionality for creating backup I/O
configurations in mission critical systems. The term “Buddy Link” extends to multiple
dimensions within MediaMatrix, but in this context, we are concerned only with how the built-in
Buddy Link works with the CAB 4n Series products. For more detailed information on how
Buddy Link works with MediaMatrix and/or CobraNet™, please refer to our website, or to the
resource list at the end of this manual.
Each CAB 4n Series product features rear panel, dual BNC connectors labeled LINK IN and
LINK OUT. These connectors enable you to connect adjacent, CAB units for redundancy and
define the role of dual units. In this configuration, one CAB is declared the primary and transmits
data via its LINK OUT connector. The other CAB is the secondary, or backup, and receives data
at its LINK IN connector. A high quality, broadcast grade video cable, RG-59 with male BNC
connectors on each end is used to make the connection between the primary and secondary
CABs. A single cable is used for dual CABs in this redundant configuration. The connection is
always LINK OUT (Primary) to LINK IN (Slave). Audio input or output signals should appear at
both units, in parallel, so if one fails, the redundant unit will have the same connection. By nature
of the Buddy Link functionality, the secondary unit is always “off-line” until needed and
therefore the paralleling of the audio connections is of no consequence.
For this feature to work properly, both units must be configured to use the same Audio Bundle
numbers (p.24 to 25). As long as the primary unit is powered on, and it sees a good CobraNet
connection (Ethernet link status good), and it has not experienced a fault, it generates a signal
from its LINK OUT connector which inhibits the secondary unit from taking over until there is a
failure or fault. The action of the switch-over is different for the each type of CAB. In the case of
the CAB 4n, input audio is present simultaneously at both units and both units will pass audio