Pathway System Design User Manual
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COMPLETE
COMPLETE
COMPLETECOMPLETE
DMX MANAGEMENT
DMX MANAGEMENT
DMX MANAGEMENTDMX MANAGEMENT
System Design and
Layout Guide
SYNOPSIS
ADVANTAGES
Imagine a lighting system where operators easily patch DMX outlets to any
combination of DMX sources: main console, moving light console, special effects
console or even a handheld controller — and all active at the same time.
Imagine a future-proofed system that supports Remote Device Management
(RDM) and Architecture for Control Networks (ACN) right out of the box. Imagine
all of this at an installed cost of about half that of most other Ethernet-based DMX
distribution systems available.
Pathway Connectivity’s
and more — over a conventional Ethernet backbone.
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Unprecedented operational flexibility — no rules!
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Address up to 128 input universes — over 65,000 channels
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Unlimited number of outputs
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Supports all major DMX-over-Ethernet protocols: Net3/streaming ACN;
Pathport; Strand Shownet; ArtNet; ETC Net2 (as output)
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Custom channel routing, plus merging and prioritization — all built in
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Low cost, high performance nodes provide a competitive bid advantage for
systems integrators
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LCD screen on each node allows ‘soft engraving’ as well as displaying DMX
status and diagnostics feedback
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All one and two port nodes use Power-over-Ethernet to minimize wiring
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Cable installation, testing and certification requirements that are readily
understood by a qualified communications wiring contractor
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An installation can be completely configured and commissioned by a
systems integrator without special software, tools or training
Pathport®
DMX management system provides all this —
TYPICAL
SYSTEM
A Pathport system is, fundamentally, a method for distributing DMX512 data.
Input nodes should be located wherever consoles or remotes might be positioned:
in the booth, at the designer table, in the side stage or FOH. One input port is
required for each universe of DMX or each DMX input source.
Output nodes should be liberally placed throughout the facility, wherever DMX
may be required. Pathport I/O nodes can be located wherever both DMX input
and output access points are required.
Nodes are star-wired back to one or more Ethernet switches. Using a PC, also
connected to the switch, operators use
which DMX input signals get routed to which output nodes.
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Pathport Manager
software to configure
SYSTEM
SYSTEM
SYSTEM SYSTEM
DESIGN
DESIGN GUIDE
DESIGNDESIGN
GUIDE
GUIDE GUIDE
SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Four elements must be considered when designing a Pathport system: the
Pathport nodes, the Ethernet backbone, the configuration interface and the
peripheral equipment to be connected. A generic layout is shown below, with DMX
signal in red and Pathport routing in blue.
Some peripherals, especially recent control consoles, are able to plug directly
into the Ethernet switch. However, designs should still include some input nodes to
allow for touring consoles, test equipment and other DMX-only sources.
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SYSTEM
SYSTEM
SYSTEM SYSTEM
DESIGN GUIDE
DESIGN GUIDE
DESIGN GUIDEDESIGN GUIDE
ETHERNET
WIRING
The success of a Pathport system relies on the proper installation of the network
wiring. Ethernet uses a star-wiring topology. Each device, in this case each
Pathport node, is wired directly back to a central switch. By wiring switches
together the network can be extended. Pathports operate at 10 and 100
megabits, so Cat5e wiring is sufficient. However, given the minor cost difference,
installing Cat6 wiring (meant for gigabit networks) will provide future-proofing.
More important at the planning stage is calculation of cable lengths. Ethernet
copper cable segments cannot be longer than 100m or 330 feet and standard
practice is to limit them to 90m. Fiber optic backbones are used where longer
runs are necessary, especially in outdoor applications. Media converters are
required between the fiber and copper portions of the network and external power
supplies may be necessary for the Pathport nodes.
Pathway strongly recommends the use of a certified network installer for all
wiring runs. A certified installer will test all wiring and connectors and should
provide a report stating the network meets the TIA/EIA-568 standard. Pathway
Connectivity may refuse or curtail technical support for equipment installed on
uncertified systems.
Although the hardware sections are dated, for further information on preferred
topologies, and labeling practices, we suggest ESTA’s Recommended Practice for
Ethernet Cabling Systems in Entertainment Lighting Applications
Ethernet Cabling Systems in Entertainment Lighting Applications and its
Ethernet Cabling Systems in Entertainment Lighting ApplicationsEthernet Cabling Systems in Entertainment Lighting Applications
Supplement
Supplement, both available at www.esta.org.
SupplementSupplement
Recommended Practice for
Recommended Practice for Recommended Practice for
ETHERNET
SWITCHES
The selection and configuration of the Ethernet switch is also critical to the performance of a Pathport system. In general, unmanaged or plug-and-play switches
are preferable to managed or enterprise switches, as long as they do not incorporate broadcast storm control or other forms of traffic management.
DMX-over-Ethernet protocols are multi-cast or broadcast protocols where one
source (typically a lighting console) sends a constant stream of information to all
the output nodes. Each output node determines which bits of information to use.
However, the management features of most enterprise switches are designed for
the uni-cast, one-to-one traffic of an office network. Broadcast traffic is treated as
an error and blocked - with disastrous effects during a show. Multi-cast filtering to
direct traffic can also wreak havoc. The usual solution is to turn these features off.
If possible the lighting network should be kept separate from other traffic, such
as sound networks (CobraNet, etc) or Internet traffic. If the network must be
shared, VLANing may be necessary and Pathway strongly recommends hiring network specialist to specify and configure the switches for such installations.
Another key specification for the switch is Power-over-Ethernet. Most switches
are now available with built-in PoE. All Pathport nodes, except the DMX Manager
Plus and the Octo, run on PoE, vastly simplifying wiring requirements. Without
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