Manual

Model 372A User Guide Issue 1, April 2019
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 17
MODEL 372A
INTERCOM BELTPACK
related network parameters can be manually
set for a fixed (static) configuration. While
this is a more-involved process than simply
letting DHCP or link-local automatically as-
sign an IP address, if fixed IP addressing is
necessary then this capability is available.
But in this case it’s highly recommended that
each unit be physically marked, e.g., directly
using a permanent marker or “console tape,”
with its specific static IP address. If knowl-
edge of a Model 372A’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 device’s IP
address is “lost,” the Address Resolution
Protocol (ARP) networking 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
addresses 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 372A. 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 Quality-
of-service (QoS) capability is recommended.
This can 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. Also, be
certain to disable Energy-Efficient Ethernet
Technical Notes
IP Address Assignment
By default, the Model 372A’s Ethernet inter-
face will attempt to automatically obtain an
IP address and associated settings using the
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Proto-
col). 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. 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 automatical-
ly function, whether or not a DHCP server is
active on the LAN. Even two Dante-enabled
devices that are directly interconnected us-
ing an RJ45 patch cable will, in most 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 372A uses
Ultimo and a design limitation in it prevents
a one-to-one interconnection with another
Model 372A (or any other Ultimo-based
product). An Ethernet switch linking the two
Ultimo-based units is required to success-
fully interconnect them. The technical rea-
son that a switch is required relates to the
need for a slight latency (delay) in the data
flow; an Ethernet switch will provide this.
While this is certainly an anomaly, since PoE
power is required for Model 372A operation
it’s highly unlikely that an application would
use two Model 372A units without a PoE-
enabled Ethernet switch being present.
Using the Dante Controller software ap-
plication, the Model 372A’s IP address and