Filter
Top Products
Page 32
if there are any fixed IP addresses on the LAN, the Router has to be programmed to avoid
issuing them to other clients. In other words, there can be no IP address duplications on
the LAN. The DHCP Server (or Router) must have enough IP numbers available to handle all
DHCP clients on the LAN. There cannot be a firewall splitting up any part of the LAN, but
the whole LAN can be inside a firewall. You need to check with your network administrator
to be sure ports 1198 and 1199 are present are unlocked. If unreliable results are obtained,
then your common network might be overburdened. You should then set up a separate
dedicated network for remote control.
4.7 SUITABLE HARDWARE
Purportedly, all networking products are generic. Any brand Router or Switch should
work equally well. We have had little trouble using various name brand networking
products, but in some cases low priced off-brand boxes were unreliable. For that reason,
we recommend using well known equipment brands only. Other than that, you should be
able to mix and match network equipment for a successful network.
NOTE: Passive Hubs don’t work at all with a 1788A LAN. Be sure to use only active
(self powered) Hubs.
4.8 TYPICAL NETWORK DIAGRAMS
Router as Base
This is preferred because it puts the Router (and more importantly its reset button) more
conveniently near the operating position, just in case it goes out of whack. That’s unlikely,
but it’s an imperfect world we live in. Figure 4-2 shows a typical setup using an Internet
Router to form the basis of a network. It is also possible to run a single Cat 5 line from
the Router to one of the Switches, and then connect the other Switches off that Switch.
It should be obvious that you have many options available depending upon the layout of
your 1788A constellation.
NOTE: You would need no switches at all if your Router has enough ports handle
everything. The main concern would be minimizing the number of Cat 5 runs that
are needed to connect preamps at a remote location. Placing a Switch at the remote
location requires only one Cat 5 run from the Router.
Router As DHCP Server Only
Figure 4-3 shows a network configured whereby the Router plays only a DHCP Server role.
This may sometimes be preferred in order to reduce any latency or slowness due to the
Router’s built-in filtering and firewall features. We have seen no evidence of this being a
problem so far, but as installed systems get quite large, it may become a concern.
NOTE: The Router can be attached to any available port of any Switch in the network.
Summary
Detailed Ethernet theory and practice is far beyond the scope of this chapter, but we have
tried to make it easy for you to understand the basic networking techniques for connecting
a constellation of 1788A’s with their remote controllers. Since all of the preamps, and R/C
units are dynamically identified by the DHCP Server, setting up a working network is very
easy. It’s almost “plug and play”. If you experience problems with networking 1788A’s and
their Remote Controllers, contact Aphex Technical Support for help.