Networking - Synk - ArtNet - Help

Need some help....

I need to set up a 8 Catalyst system. I was doing some tests here at the shop, and i figure out need some help on the best set up for that.

I Do have several ArtNet Nodes. So I can connect them to DMX, and then they convert to ArtNet. So like 4 Artistic license 2 In Nodes, gives me 8 Inputs.
( i can use a 8 Inputs Node also ). But that is not a issue.

So I set up a Network, with all Macs and with the Nodes.
So far I have 8 computers flashing Gigabit, and 4 nodes flashing 10 Mb.
All works great. Network 2.0.0.1 and ON....

NOW - If I also set up the Catalyst to receive remote commands and SYNC ID at the Layer ONE for an example, and all other Cats to follow that. They stuck.
i know is a Network issue... this way I have Artnet and SYNC on the same Network. And get package lost, all kind of trouble.
With only ArtNet and DMX I am OK.

Then... I tryied to make a second Network ( second port of the macs), to transit only the SYNC beetween the macs.
BUT I figure out, they use whatever Network they want, so I get stuck.

Please any help on how make that work will be very apprecciated.

Thanks a lot

Also,...

If is not a option where I can choose the networks for ArtNet, and Network to SYNK remotes, is possible to implement ? Regards

This is an issue that keeps re-occuring.....

Catalyst will connect to the newtork at the top of the 'service order' as specified in network preferences. There is no way to specify one network connection for Artnet, and another connection for SYNC

refer to thread:
http://chaldee1.gotadsl.co.uk/~richa...&highlight=sam

what other networking features are you using?
do you have remote desktop enabled?

Simon

No,...

Just ArtNet and SINC

Also I figure out.

If I use normal SD movies.... like from the original Cat Library, the perform better, to sinc etc..., but with large files 2400 x 600, they go when they want to.

THANKS,...

With the movies already PRE LOADED in Sync ID, but in INFRAME... Then Just go to PLAY AUDIO on a second Cue... Worked GREAT--- THANKS

For the Sync and Artnet issues. Here are some thoughts.


My own configurations are as follows:

Port #1: 10.x.x.x
Subnet: 255.0.0.0

Port #2: 192.168.x.x
Subnet: 255.255.255.240


Please note that on port 1 I use a 255.0.0.0. This is because Artnet will yell at all the addresses in the 10.x which is where most Artnet nodes reside.

The larger this number though the tighter the network. Tighter is good when you want more concise data.

Tighter is how I configure the second port.

Note and this is most critical that on port 2, I use 240 as the last octet. This is very specific for exactly 15 computers. This is not necessary, most people use 0 instead of 240. However, it confines the network traffic and prevents as many packet collisions.

In this configuration though you must be aware that all of your computers Must be between 1 and 15 in the forth octet of their IP address.


In Catalyst on a Mac Pro, I always assign Port 1 as the 10.x "ArtNet" port. This is because the OS always defaults to allowing Catalyst to listen here for Artnet.

You are welcome to try differently but every time I have done something different than this, I have had to screw with things which I don't care to do.

To date, I have had as many as 12 Catalyst Mac Pros Wired together for Artnet input and Output. Yes I had errors. Most were in the remote, none were in the Artnet. All my sync assignments worked but were sometimes finicky and with some frame delay across servers.

The total system was:

10.x.x.x Subnet
2 Hog DP-8000s (32 Universes of DMX in)
3 Hog DP-2000s (10 Universe of ArtNet to DMX Out)
12 Catalysts

192.168.x.x Subnet
12 Catalysts
2 Mac Pros (Render Machines)
1 Mac Pro (Remote Desktop and File Management)

I found that using an external timecode source which I triggered from SAM was the best way to sync everything. I fed the sync in as SMPTE through the audio port.