Pathway connectivity solutions 6716 User manual

6716 VIA16 PoE Ethernet Switch
User Guide and Manual
5/25/2018
© Acuity Brands Lighting Canada
1439 17 Ave SE • Calgary, AB • T2G 1J9
Phone [phone]
www.pathwayconnect.com

Table of Contents
About VIA Ethernet Switches ............................................................................................3
Installation Instructions .....................................................................................................3
Panel Layouts ..................................................................................................................4
Front Panel – model 6716.............................................................................................4
Configuration ...................................................................................................................5
Network Setup .............................................................................................................5
Device Properties .........................................................................................................6
Advanced Settings .......................................................................................................8
VLAN Support ..........................................................................................................8
VLAN Setup .............................................................................................................8
VLAN Configuration ..................................................................................................9
VLAN Configuration: Network Settings ....................................................................10
VLAN Configuration: DHCP Server..........................................................................11
VLAN Configuration: IGMP......................................................................................12
Ring Protect Setup .................................................................................................13
Rapid Spanning Tree ..............................................................................................14
Art-Net Alternate Mapping ......................................................................................14
Quality of Service (QoS) ..........................................................................................15
Factory Default ...........................................................................................................16
Port Properties and Configuration ...................................................................................17
VLAN Type.................................................................................................................20
VLAN ID# ...................................................................................................................21
Art-Net Trap-and-Convert...........................................................................................22
Port Enable/Disable....................................................................................................22
Port PoE Setup/Status ...............................................................................................23
LLDP Link Partner ......................................................................................................23
Port Link Mode...........................................................................................................24
Forwarding State........................................................................................................24
Bandwidth Percentage ...............................................................................................24
SFP Module (Fiber Ports Only) ....................................................................................25
Firmware Upgrades........................................................................................................26
Appendix 1: SFP Fiber Adapter Selection........................................................................27
Appendix 2: Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN)...............................................................28
Definitions ..................................................................................................................28
Software Configuration of VLANs................................................................................29
VLAN Guidelines ........................................................................................................29
Appendix 3: Ring Protection ...........................................................................................32
Requirements and Limitations.....................................................................................32
Definitions ..................................................................................................................32
Appendix 4: Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol....................................................................33
Appendix 5: QoS Settings ..............................................................................................34

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About VIA Ethernet Switches
Pathway VIA Ethernet switches are designed for live entertainment Ethernet systems,
including audio and DMX-over-Ethernet networks. This manual covers the 6716 VIA16
model.
The VIA Ethernet Switch is intended specifically for signal routing between Pathport DMX-
over-Ethernet nodes, or similar equipment, and Ethernet-aware lighting and audio control
products, such as consoles and controllers and end equipment. A VIA is a routing device
and is not a source of the control protocols or the data being passed. Switches only provide
management control over the data path.
The VIA16 is easily configured and upgraded using the freely available software tool,
Pathscape.
Installation Instructions
The VIA16 switch is DIN-mountable and intended for use in NEMA enclosures, or to be
mounted in a standard 19” equipment rack, using the Pathway 1103 Rack Panel Adapter
Kit.
All VIA switches are intended for installation in a dry, indoor location. Operating conditions
are 0°C - 48°C; 5-95% relative humidity, non-condensing.
Warning: This equipment relies on building installation primary overcurrent protection.
Warning: Except for the terminal block DC power input, all ports on the VIA16 are intended
for low voltage and/or data lines only. Attaching anything other than low voltage sources to
the data ports may result in severe equipment damage, and personal injury or death.

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Panel Layouts
Front Panel – model 6716
The user must provide an SFP (small-form pluggable) fiber adaptor to allow connection of
the mini-GBIC ports to fiber optic networks. Use Pathway part number 6799, or see
Appendix 1 for recommendations on SFP adaptor selection.
The DC IN jack must be connected to an external power supplying at minimum 20 VDC to
power the switch. If you are intending to use the VIA16 as a PoE source, the external power
supply must provide 48-50 VDC with enough watts to satisfy the draw of connected
equipment.
Class 3 PoE (15.4 W) is available on the first 12 Ethernet ports. If you intend on using Class
3 devices on all the 12 ports, the external supply must be 200 Watts.
If you are using lower-power devices such as Pathport gateways and Vignette or NSB
stations, you may use a smaller supply. For a typical configuration with mostly Class 2 or
lower devices, a 100W 48VDC supply (P/N 1001-100-48-DIN) will be sufficient. Always
ensure your supply has enough power to supply your connected devices, and set the
External Power Supply wattage for the VIA16 in Pathscape.

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Configuration
All configuration of the VIA16 must be done through the free software tool, Pathscape. To
download Pathscape, go to the Pathway website at
http://www.pathwayconnect.com/index.php/products/software/176-pathscape and click
the download link.
For instructions on how to set properties and send transactions to devices, refer to the
Pathscape manual.
Network Setup
From the factory, the VIA16’s IP address is static, and set to 10.X.X.X (where X is between
0 and 254), with a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0 and a default gateway of 10.0.0.1. Before any
additional configuration, set the device’s IP address to the same subnet and IP range as the
computer and other devices on the lighting network.
Additionally, the VIA16’s name in the device list will be shown as its IP address. Give it a
useful name before continuing.

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Device Properties
The following fields are shown in the device properties panel. Some are editable, while others
are read-only.
Property
Description
Name
Name of the device. User-defined.
Notes
Additional notes. User-defined.
MAC Address
Factory-assigned media access control address. Read-only.
Firmware Version
Current operating firmware version. Firmware may be updated
using the
Firmware Update
button. Read-only.
Identify Device
This checkbox will show if the device is in Identify mode. You
can additionally turn Identify mode on or off using this checkbox
by clicking the box and then sending the transaction.
Serial Number
Factory-assigned, Pathway serial number.
IP Address
Switch IP address.
IP Subnet Mask
Switch subnet mask.
IP Default Gateway
Switch default gateway.
Enable VLANs
Enable or disable VLANs.
Art-Net Alternate
Mapping
Enable or disable Art-Net Alternate Mapping for Art-Net Trap &
Convert feature
Ring Protect Mode
Status of Ring Protect Mode.
Disabled
: Ring Protection feature is turned off
Master
: Only one switch may be set as the Master.
Transit
: All other switches must be set as Transit.
Ring Protect Control
VLAN
Specifies the VLAN ID# used to determine the integrity of the
ring. May not be used for any other traffic. Valid ID# is any ID
outside the range set in VLAN setup. Default is VLAN 4095.
Ring Protect Primary
Port
Designates which port to use as the active uplink port to other
switches. Valid range is port 15 thru 18.

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Ring Protect
Secondary Port
Designates which port to use as the fall back link to other
switches. Valid range is port 15 thru 18.
RSTP Enable Enable / Disable the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP).
PoE External Supply
Present
Indicates the presence of an external power supply capable of
supplying PoE (48VDC). Green PoE LED on VIA16 panel will also
indicate this (lit if present, off if not present).
PoE External Supply
Power (W)
Enter the power rating of the external supply (in Watts). Default
value is 0. The PoE LED on the VIA16 panel will flash green as a
reminder if this value is left at 0.
User ID
User-defined ID number. If desired, enter a numerical
identification number. Default is 0.
NOTE: The PoE External Supply Power must be entered or PoE will not function. All PoE
values will be reported as 0.0W.

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Advanced Settings
VLAN Support
VLAN support must be enabled to allow access to the Ring Protect feature and to the VLAN
set up and configuration menus. Once Ring Protection is enabled, VLAN support cannot be
disabled. Click the checkbox in the Device Properties panel to enable VLANs.
Property
Description
Enable VLANs
Disabled (default)
Enabled
. Must be enabled to show VLAN Setup and Ring Protect
feature
VLAN Setup
Plan your VLAN layout before attempting configuration. The creation of a map of the network,
showing which devices and which ports to associate with a given VLAN, is strongly
recommended prior to configuration.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE: When configuring one or multiple VIA switches using
Pathway’s software-based configuration tools, be certain all switches are set to the
same Management VLAN ID#. Be certain that the port connected to your computer is
also on the same VLAN ID#, and is not on a tagged port. Failure to observe this rule
will result in what appears to be a broken network, and embarrassment upon realizing
the operator error.
Set the Management VLAN ID# in the Device Properties panel.
For more information on VLANs and definition of terms, see the appendix.

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Property
Description
VLAN Range Start: <x>
Specifies lowest VLAN ID# available.
Valid range: 1 to 4095. Default is 1.
VLAN Range End: <x>
Specifies highest VLAN ID# available.
Valid range: 1 to 4095. Default is 10.
Management VLAN ID:<x>
Specifies the VLAN ID# used by the management
processor. Default is 1.
This value MUST be within the range specified by the range
start and end set above, or you will not be able to configure
the switch.
These properties determine the size of the VLAN table, and which VLAN has communication
with the switch’s management processor. For efficient switch operation, the VLAN range
should be kept as small as necessary.
If the Management VLAN is accidentally set to a value outside the VLAN range, it may be
necessary to use the Factory Reset button, to restore communication with the management
processor and allow further configuration.
The VLAN range and individual VLAN configuration must be done prior to activating the Ring
Protect feature.
VLAN Configuration
Click on the VLAN Configuration tab. A list of VLAN IDs is shown.
Each VLAN is identified by its VLAN ID#. It is not currently possible to soft label VLANs.
Although you can name a VLAN for use in the VLAN patch, you cannot assign a port on the
network to use the VLAN soft label, only its numeric VLAN ID.

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Each VLAN ID# must be configured separately, and each VIA switch must be uniquely
identified on each VLAN in use on that switch. There is currently no way of copying properties
from one VLAN to another.
The VLAN ID# is assigned to individual ports in the VLAN Patch tab.
VLAN Configuration: Network Settings
Property
Description
IP Mode
Determines how IP settings will be obtained
Disabled (default):
No IP assigned.
Static
:IP settings manually set by user.
Dynamic
: IP settings will be obtained from a DHCP server.
IP Address
Manually set IP address (IPv4).
Subnet Mask Set subnet mask
Default Gateway Set default gateway
Network Settings must be configured on any VLAN requiring use of multicast filtering (IGMP)
or a DHCP server. By default, only the management VLAN (VLAN ID#1 by default) is
automatically assigned an IP and subnet mask. All other VLANs default to a null IP address
value (0.0.0.0). From the Network Settings for each VLAN, assign a unique IP per switch, a
common subnet mask and, where necessary, a default gateway.
Default gateway addresses are not typically required on most entertainment installations, as
these systems do not typically connect to the Internet. Any Internet access will be through a
proxy or NAT gateway, in which case the default gateway IP should point to this device.
IP Mode must be set to “Static” if the VIA is to act as a DHCP server. Only one DHCP server
may be active on any given VLAN. Setting the IP Mode to “Dynamic” does NOT enable the
DHCP server – see below.
If the IP Mode is set to “Dynamic” on a system with no active DHCP server, the switch will
auto-generate IP settings in accordance with zeroconf standards, in the IP range of
169.254.x.x/16. This range may not be suitable for connection to entertainment systems.