User Manual
39 Glossary
NetworkAmp Manager—Owner’s Manual
pling rate with 16, 20, or 24-bit resolution. CobraNet devices can happily coexist with net-
worked computers, printers, etc., on a switched 100Base-T Ethernet network, however, a
dedicated network infrastructure is strongly recommended.
CobraNet audio channel: In CobraNet terminology, an audio channel is one 48 kHz
digital audio signal with a 16, 20, 24-bit resolution.
CobraNet primary/secondary ports: CobraNet interfaces feature built-in redun-
dancy, with primary and secondary ports for connection to primary and secondary net-
works. If an unrecoverable fault should occur on the primary network, CobraNet
automatically switches to the secondary network, providing uninterrupted operation. Both
ports are transformer isolated and fully comply with the IEEE 802.3 standard.
Conductor: The device on a CobraNet network that acts as wordclock master and net-
work arbitrator. Only one device can be Conductor at any one time. If that device is
unplugged or fails, another device automatically takes over as Conductor. The conductor
ensures that only one device transmits data in each bundle at any one time. See also Per-
former.
Crossover Ethernet cable: An Ethernet cable whose data transmit and receive conduc-
tors have been swapped. Crossover cables are used to connect two Ethernet devices directly
to each other. They should never be used to connect devices to a hub. Contrast with Straight
Ethernet cable.
CSV: Abbreviation for Comma Separated Value file. CSV files, which are commonly used
to exchange table-like data from spreadsheets and databases, use commas to separate the
individual values on each line. NetworkAmp Manager log files use the CSV format and can
easily be imported into a spreadsheet for further analysis.
Ethernet: The most widely implemented network protocol. The first implementation
10Base-T supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. The next implementation, 100Base-T (or
Fast Ethernet) supports 100 Mbps. The newest version, Gigabit Ethernet, supports transfer
rates of 1,000 Mbps (i.e., 1 gigabit).
Fast Ethernet: Also known as 100Base-T, the Ethernet standard that supports data trans-
fer rates of 100 Mbps. CobraNet runs on Fast Ethernet networks.
Gigabit Ethernet: Also known as 1000Base-T, the Ethernet standard that supports data
transfer rates of 1,000 Mbps. CobraNet supports Gigabit Ethernet. A Gigabit switched net-
work can handle up to 1,028 CobraNet audio channels.
Hub: See Repeater hub and Switching hub.
Isochronous: Occurring at fixed intervals in time. Often used to describe real-time com-
munications between devices in which data must be delivered at regular intervals. Cobra-
Net transmits digital audio data isochronously. Contrast with Asynchronous.
LAN (Local Area Network): A network that exists in the same building or group of
buildings. CobraNet is a LAN technology. See also WAN.
Managed hub: A type of switching hub that improves network efficiency by segregating
a LAN into smaller virtual LANs.
Media converter: A device that converts from one type of distribution media to another,
for example, Ethernet (100Base-TX) to fiber optic (100Base-FX).
Multicast bundle: CobraNet bundles 1 through 255 are multicast bundles, which means
they are transmitted to all devices on the network regardless of whether any devices are con-
figured to receive them. Multicast bundles allow point-to-multipoint connections and can
be used with repeater hubs or switching hubs. Advantages include the ability to distribute
digital audio to any number of devices simply by configuring those devices to receive the
same bundle. Disadvantages are that all available network bandwidth is used, devices
receive all bundles and must decide for themselves whether to receive or ignore the data,
and any 10Base-T data ports (e.g., computers, printers, etc.) will be flooded with data. It can
be stressful for switching hubs, which must work hard to transmit all incoming data to all
output ports. Contrast with Unicast Bundle.