artnet delay reply

[Mr_P]

There are a number of factors that could affect this:

- network switch
- network data
- cable length

Network switch
Ensure that the switches can support broadcast data.
Unmanaged switches are the best to use - cheap netgear / linksys / tplink are usually ok. managed switches can filter broadcast packages and may not work well

Network Data -
best to use a separate network for Remote desktop and file transfer - as this WILL slow artnet down if on the same network.
Do you have other artnet devices on the same network?

Cable Length
This might be a factor - but test the other 2 options first.
The only way to test is to use a shorter cable with the same network setup and and see if it makes a difference - this may mean temporarily moving the desk nearer the servers if possible...
You could also look at getting a fibre link between your locations. there are a number of switched that have a fibre port and thus avoiding any cable length issues.
however - I've run 100m cat5e networks with no issues... so do check the other possibilities first. (cat 6 may help?)

Also try UNICAST artnet from the MA2 rather than broadcast, as this will reduce the amount of data... although, this may not work for your main/backup scenario...

Best to remove all other devices from artnet networks and use a separate network for remote desktop and file transfer.

Simon

[prodigal2]

Simon has pretty much covered all the bases.

Although I would add that, I have seen this situation quite a few times before and it tends to be the switch, particularly when there are more than 1 in the system. 20 minutes of A/B testing will soon show if that is the fault(which I suspect would be the case). Dell switches are particularly troublesome.

Yes using Apple Remote desktop is very useful during rehearsals, but always have it running on the secondary network, and always turn any form of sharing off during the show. I would also mention that the web browser control is very good for a lot of catalyst remote duties(just not file transfers) and I use it pretty much every day.

And the ethernet side of things Cat5 and 6 technically are only good for upto 90m, without the signal needing refreshing. And anything over 100m I try and always use Fibre as it makes life so much more reliable.

Phil
Philip G Haynes
Live Visual Design and Direction