Manual

Issue 2, October 2018 Model 206 User Guide
Page 24 Studio Technologies, Inc.
MODEL 206
ANNOUNCER’S CONSOLE
domain. The potentiometers are “push-in/
push-out” type which allow their associated
knobs to be in their “out” position when
adjustment is desired and their “in” position
when protection from an unwanted change
is beneficial.
Technical Notes
IP Address Assignment
By default the Model 206’s Ethernet inter-
face will attempt to automatically obtain
an IP address and associated settings
using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configura-
tion Protocol). If a DHCP server is not
detected an IP address will automatically
be assigned using the link-local protocol.
This protocol is known in the Microsoft®
world as Automatic Private IP Addressing
(APIPA). It is also sometimes referred to
as auto-IP (PIPPA). Link-local will random-
ly 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 connected together and auto-
matically 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, correctly 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 206 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 206’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
206’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 206’s IP address is “lost,” the
Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) net-
working 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 206. 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