Manual

Model 381 User Guide Issue 2, March 2020
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 19
MODEL 381
ON-AIR BELTPACK
Optimizing Network
Performance
For best Dante audio-over-Ethernet perfor-
mance a network that supports VoIP QoS
capability is recommended. In applica-
tions that utilize multicast Ethernet traffic
enabling IGMP snooping can be valuable.
These protocols can be implemented on
virtually all contemporary managed Ether-
net switches. There are even specialized
switches that are optimized for entertain-
ment-associated applications. Refer to the
Audinate website (www.audinate.com) for
details on optimizing networks for Dante
applications.
Application Firmware Version
Display
There are two ways in which the version
number of the Model 381’s application firm-
ware (embedded software) can be identi-
fied. One requires only the Model 381 unit
and involves a button press sequence per-
formed upon power up. The other method
utilizes the Model 381 and the STcontroller
software application. Either method may
prove to be useful when working with fac-
tory personnel on application support and
troubleshooting.
As part of the Model 381’s power-up se-
quence the unit’s application firmware can
be directly displayed. Before connecting
the PoE-enabled Ethernet cable, press and
hold the talkback button. Then connect the
Ethernet cable. Upon application of PoE
power the Model 381 will not go through
its normal power-up sequence but instead
will display the firmware version. The LED
associated with the talkback button will
“flash” green in color to display the major
version number and then “flash” orange
to display the minor version number. Then
the LED will remain off until the talkback
An exception does arise when trying to
directly interconnect two Dante-enabled
devices that use Ultimo integrated circuits
to implement Dante. The Model 381 uses
the Ultimo “chip” 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 381’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
381’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 in-
cludes MAC addresses and corresponding
IP addresses. The simplest means of iden-
tifying an unknown IP address is to create a
“mini” LAN with a small PoE-enabled Ether-
net switch connecting a personal computer
to the Model 381. Then by using the appro-
priate ARP command the required “clues”
can be obtained.