3COM NCG-PLM, PLM Series User Manual
Network Configuration Guide
PLM™ Series
Powered Loudspeaker Management
™
systems
Rev. 1.0.5
Item no. NCG-PLM
2 PLM Series Network Configuration Guide
1 CONTENTs
1 CONTENTS .................................................................................................................................................2
2 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Overview .............................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Ethernet Fundamentals........................................................................................................................3
2.2 PC Configuration ..................................................................................................................................3
™
3 PLM SERIES AND DANTE
3.1 Networking Overview ..........................................................................................................................5
3.2 Dante Audio Network .........................................................................................................................5
3.3 Rear Panel Connections.......................................................................................................................5
4 AVOIDING SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE (SPF) ISSUES ...........................................................................6
4.1 SPF Overview ......................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Automatic Priority Input Switching ......................................................................................................6
4.2.1 Signal type redundancy ............................................................................................................7
4.2.2 Signal redundancy ....................................................................................................................7
4.3 Network Port Redundancy ..................................................................................................................7
5 NETWORK CONNECTIONS AND TOPOLOGIES .....................................................................................8
5.1 PLM Series Network Cabling ..............................................................................................................8
5.2 PLM Series Topology Overview ..........................................................................................................8
5.2.1 Daisy-chained devices ..............................................................................................................8
5.2.2 Star or Hub-and-Spoke networks .............................................................................................9
5.2.3 Daisy-chained switches ............................................................................................................9
5.2.4 Daisy-chained switch ring .........................................................................................................9
5.2.5 Dual daisy-chained switches ....................................................................................................9
5.2.6 Other combination networks ..................................................................................................10
5.3 Ethernet Cabling Limitations ..............................................................................................................10
5.4 PLM / Dante Network Size Limitations ..............................................................................................11
5.5 Wireless Network Topologies ............................................................................................................12
5.6 Improving Wireless Accessibility ....................................................................................................... 12
5.7 Using Dante in Conjunction with Wireless Networks and Low Bandwidth Devices .........................12
NETWORKING FEATURES .........................................................................5
6 NETWORK HARDWARE RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................................13
6.1 General Recommendations ...............................................................................................................13
®
6.1.1 Network switches / routers: LinkSys
SRW224G4 ................................................................13
6.1.2 Recommended wireless access points: LinkSys WAP200 ....................................................13
6.1.3 Recommended network cabling: Belden® 1305A ..................................................................14
6.1.4 Recommended network connectors: LEMO®-type Multipin Connector ................................14
7 REFERENCES AND DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................................................15
8 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................16
PLM Series Network Configuration Guide 3
INTRODUCTION 2
2.1 O ver view
Thank you for choosing the Lab.gruppen PLM Series
of Powered Loudspeaker Management systems for
your sound reinforcement needs. We are confident
that you will be pleased with the performance, unique
features, configuration flexibility, reliability, and longterm durability offered by PLM Series products.
This document covers only information related to
network configuration. For information on PLM
Series installation and operation, and use of the
Dolby® Lake® Controller (DLC) PLM Edition software,
please consult the other documentation included with
your PLM Series product: The Dolby Lake Controller
User Manual, the Dolby Lake Controller User Manual
PLM Edition Addendum, the PLM Series Operation
Manual, and the PLM Series Quick Start and Field
Reference Guide.
This document and the PLM Quick Start and Field
Reference Guide supply most of the information
you will require to install your PLM Series products
and configure a network. We do, however, highly
recommend reading through all the of the product
documentation on the included CD ROM in their
entirety. As you become thoroughly familiar with
all aspects of the PLM Series, you may learn about
features and options that will affect your choices of
operational modes or loudspeaker system configurations.
The Lab.gruppen PLM Series utilizes proven Dolby
Lake Processor technology and expands upon it,
providing a suite of load verification and performance
monitoring features. The power amplification section builds on the foundation of the road-tested
FP+ and legendary fP Series, providing the same
sonic signature – powerful, tight bass and transparent high frequency response. In addition, the PLM
Series establishes new benchmarks for high power
and channel density in tandem with digital signal
processing, system management and protection
features found in no other product.
Thank you again for placing your confidence in
Lab.gruppen.
2.2. Ethernet Fundamentals
The PLM Series implements a full Ethernet stack,
providing all the standard features and benefits of an
Ethernet device. As with all Ethernet-based devices,
some specific cable requirements apply, and there
are inherent limitations to the number of network
nodes and cable lengths supported. An overview
of basic Ethernet system requirements is presented
in section 5.3 of this guide.
It is assumed that the user has a basic understanding of Ethernet-based networking technology. (A
level of knowledge equivalent to that needed for
configuring a home or small office network should be
sufficient for most PLM Series applications.) Also, it
is assumed the user is familiar with basic networking
terminology (e.g. bandwidth, port, node). A number
of more advanced terms specific to PLM Series
applications are included in section 7 (References
and Definitions).
2.3 PC Configuration
In most network configurations that include switchers or routers of the types recommended, it should
not be necessary to manually configure network
settings in the host computer used for the Dolby
Lake Controller PLM Edition software application.
The network should automatically detect the host
computer and all connected PLM Series units, and
then set the IP address, network speed and communication protocols without user intervention.
In applications where switches or routers of the
recommended type are not used, and instead the
PLM Series units are connected directly to the network port of the host computer, it may be necessary
to manually configure your network connection by
entering an IP address. Instructions for this are given
in the Dolby Lake Controller Manual, section 2.3.
In Windows Vista, navigation to the IP
dialog box differs from that given for Windows XP in the Dolby Lake Controller
Manu al. For Vista, the follow i ng navigati o n
is suggested:
4 PLM Series Network Configuration Guide
2 INTRODUCTION
From the Start menu, open the Control Panel. 1.
Under Network and Internet, choose View
Network Status and Tasks.
Underneath Network, to the right of Connection 2.
/ Local Area Connection, choose View Status.
In the dialog box, click on Properties, and click 3.
Continue in the warning dialog.
4. In the Local Area Connection Properties, 4.
select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
and click on the Properties button below.
Proceed as in Dolby Lake Controller Manual, 5.
section 2.3.2, step 4.
PLM Series Network Configuration Guide 5
PLM SeRIeS aND DaNTe NeTwORkINg FeaTUReS 3
Ser. N:o
CH 2
CH
CH 4
CH 3
CLASS 2 WIRING
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
INPUT INPUT 2LINK LINK 2
AES/EBU
INPUT 1-2 LINK 1-2
SWITCHED 10/100 Base-TX
Must be grounded/earthed
Made in Sweden
ANALOG WITH ISO-FL O A T
200/240V 2500W
50-60Hz
PLM 0000Q
1
LINK SECPRIMACT LINKACT
SWITCHED 10/100 Base-TX
200/240V 2500W
50-60Hz
PLM 0000Q
1
3.1 Networking Overview
Designed for use on an Ethernet network, the PLM
Series Powered Loudspeaker Management system
allows configuration, control, and monitoring of multiple PLM Series devices from a PC running DLC PLM
Edition software. The user can control the networked
devices over either a wired or a wireless connection.
Additionally, the PLM Series’ incorporation of the
Dante digital audio protocol permits distribution of
multichannel digital audio (up to 24-bit, 96 kHz) as
well as control data via the same network.
Network configurations containing a mixture
of P L M S e r ies devices, D o l by L a ke Proces sors, Lake Contour™ and Mesa Quad EQ™
processors are supported, and can be
controlled simultaneously within the DLC PLM Edition software environment. Also, it should be noted
that a PLM Series device or Dolby Lake Processor
can be utilized as a “break in” point for the introduction of an analog or AES digital audio signal to the
system; this signal then can be passed on via Dante
throughout the rest of the network.
3.3 Rear Panel Connections
The PLM Series has two Ethernet ports for use in
creating free-topology Ethernet-based networking
systems. The ports, located on the back panel (see
figure 1), use Neutrik® EtherCon® RJ45 connectors.
Two LEDs above each port indicate connection to a
valid network (LINK) and the presence of network
activity (ACT).
Both Ethernet ports are 10/100BASE-T with autosensing and auto-uplink. The 10/100 auto-sensing
function automatically configures the Ethernet port
to operate at either 10 MHz (10BASE-T) or 100 MHz
(100BASE-T). The auto-uplink feature automatically
senses the cable type, allowing for either a passthrough (straight) or crossover Ethernet cable to be
used.
Although standard Cat-5 Ethernet cables
can be used to interconnect PLM Series
devices, switches, wireless access points
and routers on the network, Cat-5e Ethernet
cabling is strongly recommended due to its increased
bandwidth capacity.
3.2 Dante Audio Network
The Dolby Lake processor integrated in the PLM
Series incorporates a Dante audio networking interface, allowing the connections to the PLM Series to
be reduced to a single Cat-5e cable which carries all
audio and control information.
Dante, developed by Audinate®, permits the transmission of professional-quality multichannel audio over
an Ethernet network. Dante overcomes the problems
associated with earlier Ethernet-based digital audio
systems, including clock synchronization issues,
lack of true plug-and-play functionality, and channel
count limitations. Additionally, Dante can coexist with
TCP/IP network traffic and other standard control
protocols.
All conductors must be terminated to the
RJ45 connector at both ends of any cable
used for Dante network connectivity.
Figure 3.3: Dual Ethernet ports are located on the PLM rear
panel
6 PLM Series Network Configuration Guide
4 avOIDINg SINgLe POINT OF FaILURe (SPF) ISSUeS
Auto input priority switching (managing multiple
4.1 SPF Overview
Critical network configurations (such as those transporting audio signals) should avoid “Single Point
of Failure” (SPF) scenarios to the greatest extent
possible. SPF failures can occur when a network has
been designed in such a way that failure of a single
part of the network can cause the entire network to
fail or cease operation. A network that has not been
designed with the appropriate fail-safe measures
to avoid SPF issues can suffer a breakdown in the
transport of audio and control data, resulting in the
worst case scenario for any professional sound
engineer: dead silence.
The use of redundant network and audio cabling
and switches, as well as the careful selection of the
proper network topology for your application, are
effective tools in avoiding SPF issues.
The PLM Series has been designed with special
features to help prevent this type of system-wide
network breakdown. These include:
•
signal sources)
Support for redundant device sources (e.g. the •
same device providing both analog and AES
sources simultaneously to the network)
Support for redundant network paths (via redun-
•
dant rear panel Ethernet ports on the PLM)
4.2 Automatic Priority Input
Switching
The user-selectable automatic input priority switching
feature in the DLC PLM Edition software is located
on the I/O Config tab of the Input Configuration page
(see figure 4.1). Four levels of input priority are offered, each of which can consist of Analog, AES 1,
AES 2, and Dante. In the event of a loss of signal to
the first priority input, the system will instantly switch
to the next designated priority input and restore audio
connectivity to the system.
Full information on how to select user input priorities
is contained in section 9.12.3.1 of the PLM Series
Operation Manual.
Figure 4.1: Priority input settings are located in the Input Conguration page
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