OTTOCANALI | 17
Networking 8
Ottocanali DSP+D ampliers support linear daisy-chain, star
and loop network topologies; in a daisy-chained network the PC
with Armonía Pro Audio Suite must always be at one end of the
chain.
Be aware that daisy-chaining does not guarantee reliability
in production environment, since any fault may yield to network
sectioning and lost of system control.
When efciency and reliability are paramount, a redundant net-
work topology is advisable. In order to exploit the Dante features,
star and open daisy-chain network topology are allowed.
8:1.IP addressing
Factory default network settings are DHCP/AutoIP,
inorder for the amplier platform to self-congure when connected
to an existing LAN or PC. Fixed IP policy can also be adopted and
congured through Armonía Pro Audio Suite.
If a DHCP server is not active within the network, the ampli-
er platform initiates a stateless address auto-conguration (i.e.
Zero-conguration networking methodology – Zeroconf): it self
assigns a local numeric network address (of the type 169.254.x.y
– 172.31.*.* for the secondary network ifpresent– with a subnet
mask 255.255.0.0) and automatically distributes and resolves the
hostnames of networked devices. For setting a static IP address
please refer to the Armonía Pro Audio Suite user guide.
8:1.1.IP Addressing troubleshooting
When connecting the Ottocanali DSP+D to a network envi-
ronment it may happen that Armonía Pro Audio Suite does not
discover or import the amplier.
Usually this is a problem of IP addressing: both Armonia and
the Ottocanali DSP must belong to the same subnet. If a DHCP
server is present on the network and a Ottocanali DSP amplier is
in AUTO IP, networking may become unstable.
As a rule of thumb, turn the DHCP server
on before connecting the amplifiers.
IP addressing of an Ottocanali DSP+D amplier is established
during the bootstrap: when the Ottocanali DSP amplier discovers
a DHCP server on the network during the startup, it negotiates
the networking parameters. If the Ottocanali DSP does not reveal
a DHCP server on the network during the startup it set itself in
AUTO IP mode.
8:2.Dante™ networking
The Dante equiped models of Ottocanali DSP+D amplier
support Dante redundant networking via the two Rj45 ports on
the rear panel:
Primary/ETH1 is the Primary network port;
Secondary/ETH2 is the Secondary network port.
Dante connectivity is always supported on the Primary/ETH1
Gigabit Ethernet port; the Secondary/ETH2 Gigabit Ethernet port
offers continuity of operation when a parallel redundant network
is established.
In order to implement a Dante network, a computer running
Dante Controller have to be used. Dante Controller is a software
application that manages devices on the network. Ottocanali
DSP+D ampliers are automatically discovered and displayed in
Dante Controller with the default identier
MODELNAME-SERIAL
(e.g.
8K4-71520).
Dante networks will almost always require at least one network
switch. Redundant infrastructures may require multiple switches.
For maximum reliability, network switch shall:
be Rated for Gigabit Ethernet;
be Non-blocking;
have Quality of Service (QoS) with at least four queues;
have Diffserv (DSCP) QoS with strict priority;
have EEE (Energy efcient ethernet) switched off.
For detailed information on setting up a switch, please refer to
the manufacturer’s documentation.
8:2.1.Redundant network configuration
Dante Redundancy can be set up and used between any
supporting Dante-enabled audio equipment: it works by using
two completely independent and separate networks, the Primary
Network and the Secondary Network.
To setup and use Dante Redundancy, connect the Ottoca-
nali DSP+D amplier and other redundant Dante-enabled audio
equipment using duplicate Gigabit switches and Ethernet cables.
Connect your computer running Dante Virtual Soundcard and
Dante Controller, and other non-redundant Dante-enabled audio
equipment to the Primary Network.
The primary and secondary networks MUST NOT be inter-
connected at any point. Make sure any computer is set to auto-
matically congure its IP address.