Chapter 24 Network

This chapter deals with configuring, transmitting and receiving DMX over Ethernet.

The following is covered in this chapter:

24.1 Network Basics

24.1. Network Basics

Vibe has two user accessible Ethernet networks:

  • Data Network - Accessible via the two etherCON connectors on the rear panel.

    ◾ Used for Art-Net, sACN, Compulite VC protocol nodes and Master/Slave backup.

  • General Networks - Accessible via the two RJ45 connectors on the rear panel.

    ◾ Used for Network storage of show files and remote diagnostics.

Each network device must have its own unique static IP address in the form of four triplets xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx, to identify it on the network. In Vibe, this can be set in the System Settings pop-up. It is not necessary to have three digits in each segment of the IP but there must be at least one digit in each segment. Vibe ships with a default Subnet Mask of 255.0.0.0 which means that it is only important that the first triplets of the IP, (the start address), must match on all devices in the network. Devices on the same network must not have identical IP addresses.

Common Start addresses are:

  • 10.x.x.x - Default for most ETC networks and alternate for Art-Net network IP.

  • 2.x.x.x - Default for Art-Net networks.

  • 192.x.x.x -Default for most MA consoles.

Subnet Mask - Identifies the network itself and in conjunction with the IP address can be used to properly route network devices.

  • 255.0.0.0. - Compulite Default. Only the first triplet must match.

  • 255.255.0.0 - Also common.

Compulite uses the third triplet as a console identifier in some of the products.

The Vibe can be used in networks using a DHCP server but cannot act as a DHCP server.

In all cases, the first triplets must match for devices to communicate with one another..

Switches:

  • Vibe has two internal switches so single direct device to device connections are possible without a cross cable.

  • When more than one device must be connected to the Vibe a good quality gigabit switch should be used.

Many a system has gone down due to bad Ethernet cabling and cheap switches. It is recommended that etherCON connectors be used where possible in conjunction with professional grade switches designed for lighting and audio applications..

24.2 Connecting to Compulite ePorts

Compulite manufactures the ePort brand of DMX over Ethernet nodes. Supported Protocols:

  • ePort 41 - Prior to Sept 2016 (check serial number with Compulite to confirm)

    ◾ Compulite VC protocol

    ◾ Art-Net v2

  • ePort-41 - Current

    ◾ sACN pre-release and release versions

    ◾ Art-Net 3

    ◾ Compulite VC protocol

  • ePort-8 and ePort-2

    ◾ sACN pre-release and release versions

    ◾ Art-Net 3

    ◾ Compulite VC protocol For more product information, See: ePort Documents

Before an ePort can be connected it should be configured using the CNET Manager software, available at the above link.

Configuring ePorts:

  1. Make sure that the Vibe IP and the ePort IP are in the same range.

  2. Assign universes to each physical port by typing the universe number in the box below the icon of the physical connector.

  3. Select the DMX- ON-Ethernet protocol in the protocol list below the graphical display of the ePort.

If the ePort is a newer model, sACN will also appear in the list. If Art-Net is selected make sure the Art-Net Subnet is also set. In most cases this will be set to 0 which allows the first 16 universes. It must be incremented by one with each new range of 16 universes

  1. Tap {Update} to apply all changes.

24.3 Connecting to Art-Net and sACN Nodes

Vibe currently supports transmission of 256 universes of DMX over Ethernet using the industry standards of Art-Net versions 1 ⟶ 3, ad eACN (ANSI E1.31-2016 standard).

Enable Art-Net or sACN output:

  • Tap {DMX SETTINGS} in the patch toolbar found at the bottom of the Patch Workspace Template. The DMX Properties Pop-up will open.

  1. Under the Protocol heading, Tap {Art-Net} or {sACN} - The selection will turn red.

  2. Under Broadcast Options (VC, Art-Net, sACN) tap {Out} - The status indicator light will turn green. The console will now be outputting the selected protocol on the etherCON Data ports.

The Vibe is capable of transmitting more than one protocol at a time. To save bandwidth it is also possible to enable only the universes for each protocol that are required. Vibe has separate universe patches for VCs, Art-Net, and sACN. By default, universes are patched 1 to 1 for each protocol. It is possible to reroute universe output destinations. Normally fixtures patched to console source universe 1 would be transmitted on Ethernet destination universe 1 but sometimes when multiple consoles are on line it is desirable to reroute universes to avoid conflicts. Source universe 1 for example could be rerouted to destination universe 101.

The Vibe is licensed for 64, 96, 128, or 255 console source universes but these universes may be freely rerouted to any destination universe from 0 ⟶ 256 providing the total amount of universes does not exceed the purchased license.

Reroute Console Universes:

  1. Under the Source Universe header, scroll the list to the source console universe number you wish to route from. Once tapped, the selection will turn red. A universe number may also be typed from the keypad.

  2. Under the Destination Universe header, tap one of the cells in the destination universe grid. The source universe number will now be routed through the destination universe number.

Additional functions:

  • Clear a destination universe - Tap {Universe #} in the destination grid. Tap {Clear}.

  • Clear all destination universes - Select the protocol to clear. Tap {Clear All}.

  • Reset default route for a single destination universe - Tap {Universe #} Tap {Config}.

  • Reset all defaults for the selected protocol - Tap {Config All}.

Art-Net Subnet View:

  • Art-Net is designed in blocks of 16 universes. The blocks starts at subnet 0 and increments by 1 every 16 universes. The Subnet number and fixture number in the subnet may be viewed by toggling {Subnet View}.

Unicast Option for Art-Net and VC

It is possible to set specific IPs to send the output to. If there is a port configured to a specific IP it will not be sent broadcast. Ports that are not defined as unicast will be still sent as broadcast. Each port can be configured to multiple IPs. Few ports can be sent to the same IP.

To configure Unicast send

  1. Tap Vibe menu button

  2. Tap Settings button

  3. Tap DMX Settings button

  4. Go to VC’s Out or Art-Net

  5. Change the toggle to Unicast Settings

  6. Tap Add to add a new configuration line

On the first line – ports 1 ⟶ 5 will be sent to IP 172.16.10.10

On the second line – port 5 will be sent also to IP 172.16.10.11

On the third line – ports 6 ⟶ 10 will be sent to IP 172.16.10.12

24.4 RDM

Currently, RDM is fully supported on the 8 physical DMX output ports and Compulite VC protocol. View RDM information:

  1. Open Patch Workspace.

  2. Tap the RDM tab in the lower right corner of the workspace.

  3. Tap {Get Devices} - The system will scan and display RDM compliant devices.

  4. If new devices are added, press {Re Scan}. Full RDM management will be available in future releases.

24.5 CITP

CITP Popup

This popup gathers all the CITP capabilities of the Vibe together.

To open the CITP Popup

  1. Tap Vibe menu button

  2. In Settings, Tap CITP Settings

In the popup there are 4 tabs:

General CITP Settings

This tab shows the general information about the console and gives the option to enable/disable CITP communication from/to this console.

Media Servers

This tab shows a list of the detected Media Servers on the network. In order to connect to a media server and start a session, select a media server from the list and press Connect.

In order to link a media server to a specific fixture, select a connected media server from the list and tap Configure. A popup will appear where you can choose which fixtures you want to link.

In order to get all the available data from a media server, select a connected and linked media server from the list, and tap Get Data. All available data such as thumbnails, effects etc. will be synced from the media server to the fixtures on your show.

Visualizers This tab shows a list of the detected Visualizers on the network. In order to connect to a visualizer and start a session, select it from the list and tap Connect. In order to get the patch from a connected visualizer, select it from the list and tap Get Show. This action will clear the current show, get the devices, fixtures, numbers, patch, XYZ information from the visualizer and automatically create it on your show.

Consoles

This tab shows a list of the detected consoles on the network that are using CITP and their state.

Auto Patch from Capture

It is possible to sync the show from Capture. In order to do that you need to set the Capture CITP settings to use Standard Multicast and select the relevant IP address.

In addition, make sure Vibe and Capture are on the same subnet. After finishing preparing the show on Capture, go to Vibe, open the CITP popup, enable the CITP and connect to the Capture from the Visualizers tab. Then Get Data from Capture and you should be ready to go.

Capture Protocol

It is possible to choose which output protocol will be listened by Capture while in a CITP session.