Manual

Issue 2, October 2018 Model 204 User Guide
Page 24 Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 204
ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE
Technical Notes
IP Address Assignment
By default the Model 204’s Ethernet inter-
face will attempt to automatically obtain an
IP address and associated settings using
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Proto-
col). If a DHCP server is not detected an IP
address will automatically be assigned us-
ing the link-local protocol. This protocol is
known in the Microsoft® world as Automat-
ic Private IP Addressing (APIPA). It is also
sometimes referred to as auto-IP (PIPPA).
Link-local will randomly assign a unique IP
address in the IPv4 range of 169.254.0.1
to 169.254.255.254. In this way multiple
Dante-enabled devices can be connect-
ed together and automatically function,
whether or not a DHCP server is active on
the LAN. Even two Dante-enabled devices
that are directly interconnected using an
RJ45 patch cord will, in many cases, cor-
rectly acquire IP addresses and be able to
communicate with each other.
An exception does arise when trying to
directly interconnect two Dante-enabled
devices that use Ultimo integrated circuits
to implement Dante. The Model 204 uses
Ultimo and, as such, a direct one-to-one
interconnection to another Ultimo-based
product is not supported. An Ethernet
switch linking the two units is required
to successfully interconnect two Ultimo-
based devices. The technical reason that
a switch is required relates to the need for
a slight latency (delay) in the data flow; an
Ethernet switch will provide this.
Using the Dante Controller software ap-
plication the Model 204’s IP address and
related network parameters can be set for
a fixed (static) configuration. While this is a
more involved process than simply letting
DHCP or link-local “do their thing,” if fixed
addressing is necessary then this capabil-
ity is available. But in this case it’s highly
recommended that every unit be physically
marked, e.g., directly using a permanent
marker or “console tape,” with its specific
static IP address. If knowledge of a Model
204’s IP address has been misplaced
there is no reset button or other method
to easily restore the unit to a default IP
setting.
In the unfortunate event that a specific
Model 204’s IP address is “lost,” the Ad-
dress Resolution Protocol (ARP) network-
ing command can be used to “probe”
devices on a network for this information.
For example, in Windows OS the arp –a
command can be used to display a list of
LAN information that includes MAC ad-
dresses and corresponding IP addresses.
The simplest means of identifying an un-
known IP address is to create a “mini” LAN
with a small PoE-enabled Ethernet switch
connecting a personal computer to the
Model 204. Then by using the appropriate
ARP command the required “clues” can be
obtained.
Optimizing Network
Performance
For best Dante audio-over-Ethernet perfor-
mance a network that supports VoIP QoS
(voice-over-internet-protocol quality of ser-
vice) capability is recommended. This can
typically be implemented on virtually all
contemporary managed Ethernet switches.
There are even specialized switches that
are optimized for entertainment-associated
applications. Refer to the Audinate website
(www.audinate.com) for details on optimiz-
ing networks for Dante applications.