Manual

Model 5401A User Guide Issue 2, July 2021
Studio Technologies, Inc. Page 41
Dante IP Addresses
If the Model 5401A’s Dante interface has
been configured in the Dante Controller
application for Switched or Switched+Mgmt
operation, by default the Model 5401A’s
Dante primary Ethernet interfaces will
attempt to automatically obtain an IP ad-
dress and associated settings using DHCP
(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). If
a DHCP server is not detected then an IP
address will automatically be assigned us-
ing 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 randomly 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 will connect to-
gether 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 should correctly acquire IP addresses
and be able to communicate with each
other. As previously discussed in this guide,
using Dante Controller the Model 5401A’s
Dante Ethernet IP address(es) and related
network parameters can also be set for
manual (fixed or static) operation.
If the Model 5401A’s Dante interface has
been configured in Dante Controller for
Redundant or Redundant+Mgmt operation
then both the Model 5401A’s Dante primary
and Dante secondary Ethernet interfaces
will attempt to automatically obtain IP ad-
dresses and associated network settings
using DHCP. If DHCP is not available then
link-local IP addresses will be assigned. If
automatic assignment of IP addresses is
not desired each interface can be individu-
ally configured using Dante Controller to
use a manual (fixed or static) IP address
and related network parameters.
The specific IP address assigned to each of
the Model 5401A’s Dante interfaces can be
identified using several methods. The Dante
Controller application will directly display the
network parameters of the primary and, if
utilized, secondary Ethernet interfaces. An-
other means is to utilize the Model 5401A’s
network configuration webpage to directly
display the IP addresses assigned to the
primary and, if utilized, secondary Ethernet
ports. The Model 5401A’s front-panel menu
system can also be selected to display the
Dante primary IP address.
Optimizing Dante Network
Performance
For best Dante audio-over-IP performance a
network that supports VoIP QoS (voice-over-
internet-protocol quality of service) capabil-
ity is recommended. This can typically be
implemented on virtually all contemporary
managed Ethernet switches. There are even
specialized switches that are optimized for
entertainment-associated applications. Also,
it’s recommended that IGMP snooping func-
tionality on Ethernet switch ports associated
with Dante devices be disabled. This can be
important, allowing Dante-related multicast
data traffic, including PTPv1, to be correctly
supported. Refer to the Audinate website
(audinate.com) for details on how to opti-
mize a network for Dante applications.
Management IP Address and
Configuration
It’s easy to determine the active IP address
being used by the Model 5401A’s manage-
ment Ethernet port. The most direct method
is to simply watch the front-panel screens
that are active in the “screen saver” mode.
This mode will enable automatically two min-
utes after the last press of any of the front-
panel buttons. The front-panel menu system
also allows the management IP address
to be displayed and, if required, revised. A