Manual

Model 48D User Guide Issue 2, July 2018
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 19
Technical Notes
IP Address Assignment
By default each of the Model 48D’s Ether-
net interfaces will attempt to automatically
obtain an IP address and associated set-
tings using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configu-
ration Protocol). If a DHCP server is not
detected on an interface then 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 some-
times referred to as auto-IP. 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
present on the associated LAN.
Using the Dante Controller software appli-
cation allows the Model 48D’s two Ethernet
interfaces to have their IP address and
related network parameters independently
set to either automatically obtain an IP ad-
dress and related parameters or to utilize
a manual (fixed or “static”) configuration.
While selecting manual is a more-involved
process than simply letting DHCP “do its
thing,” if fixed addressing is necessary or
desired this capability is available. There is
no problem allowing one interface to obtain
its network parameters automatically while
the other interface has been configured
with fixed network parameters.
The Operation section of this guide also
provides details on how to use the front-
panel pushbutton switches and LCD
display to view and configure the network
parameters.
Direct Device Interconnection
A technical limitation can arise when trying
to directly interconnect two Dante-enabled
devices whose Dante network capability
is provided by the Ultimo integrated circuit.
The Model 48D’s two Dante interfaces each
use an Ultimo “chip” and, as such, a direct
interconnection between either of them and
another device that also utilizes Ultimo won’t
result in a valid connection. An Ethernet
switch is required to successfully intercon-
nect two Ultimo-based devices directly with
each other. (The technical reason relates to
the need for the slight latency provided by
an Ethernet switch.)
Optimizing Network
Performance
For best Dante audio-over-Ethernet per-
formance connecting the Model 48D’s two
Ethernet interfaces to networks that support
VoIP Quality-of-service (QoS) capability is
recommended. This 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. Also, be certain to disable
Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) support on
all Ethernet switch ports that are associated
with Dante devices. Some implementations
of EEE can incorrectly interpret that a con-
nected device is not present and prevent
proper Dante operation.
Main Firmware Version
As part of the Model 48D’s power-up se-
quence the unit’s main firmware version
number is indicated by way of the front-
panel LCD display. In addition, using the