Manual

Issue 3, August 2018 Model 44D User Guide
Page 22 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Technical Notes
IP Address Assignment
By default the Model 44D’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 assign an 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 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 most cases, cor-
rectly acquire IP addresses and be able to
communicate and transport audio. An ex-
ception does arise when trying to directly
interconnect two Dante-enabled devices
that use the Ultimo Dante implementation,
such as two Model 44D units. An Ethernet
switch is required to provide the Ethernet
ports to correctly interconnect two Ultimo-
based devices directly with each other.
(The technical reason relates to the need
for the slight latency provided by an Ether-
net switch.)
Using the Dante Controller software ap-
plication the Model 44D’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 that
capability is available. But in this case it’s
highly recommended that each unit be
physically marked, e.g., directly labeled
using a permanent marker or “console
tape,” with its specific IP address. If knowl-
edge of a Model 44D’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 Resolu-
tion 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 informa-
tion that includes MAC addresses and
corresponding IP addresses. The simplest
means of identifying an unknown IP ad-
dress is to create a “mini” LAN with a per-
sonal computer connected directly to the
Model 44D. 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
capability is recommended. This can typi-
cally be implemented on virtually all con-
temporary 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.
Application Firmware Version
Display
As part of the Model 44D’s power-up
sequence the unit’s application firmware