QSC Audio RAVE 520uz Introduction Networking the Rave 520uz, Why CobraNet Needs Special Treatment

Introduction - Networking the RAVE 520uz

The RAVE 520uz has two RJ-45 network connection ports on the rear panel. One port is labeled "QSControl" and supports standard 10BASE-T Ethernet. The other port is labeled "CobraNet" and supports 100BASE-TX, also known as "Fast Ethernet". In the following sections we describe the use of these ports and show example network connection schemes.

The RAVE 520uz supports two distinct kinds of network activity; the first is audio transport via CobraNet, and the second is DSP setup via QSControl.net. The user can choose to install one network for CobraNet traffic and a second separate network for QSControl.net traffic. We call this the "Two Wire Interface". Alternately, it is possible to run both DSP setup data and audio traffic over CobraNet via the CobraNet port. In this case the QSControl port is unused. We call this the "Single Wire Interface".

Under the most demanding real-time control conditions and when using the lowest latency CobraNet settings, users may experience better QSControl.net performance using separate networks, especially when displaying a great many real-time meters. For most appli- cations, separate networks won't provide any discernible benefits and will cost more. We therefore recommend using the Single Wire Interface when running CobraNet.

Why CobraNet Needs Special Treatment:

Ordinary Ethernet traffic has no guaranteed time of delivery. Packets of information may arrive at their destination out of order and some may be delayed more than others. This is fine for E-mail and even for downloading MP3 files over the Internet. Everything ends up properly reassembled at the destination, but how long this takes will vary according to network loading, span, etc. In contrast, Cobra- Net is "real time" - it delivers audio with a minimal, consistent transmission delay. CobraNet is designed to use as much of conventional networking technology as possible while providing both guaranteed time of delivery and isochronicity - maintaining a phase-locked sample-accurate clock across the entire network. These requirements mean that ordinary unregulated Ethernet data cannot be freely mixed with CobraNet information. The two can coexist on the same wire, but only by adhering to the proper rules.

To learn more about CobraNet and appropriate network topologies, please visit http://www.qscaudio.com/products/network/ resources.htm and http://www.peakaudio.com/CobraNet/background.html.

Notes on Network Systems Design:

As with any communications system, the reliability and performance of a local area network is intimately related to the designer's skill and knowledge in implementing a topology that is robust, efficient and standards-compliant. Proper network design is even more criti- cal in distributed multimedia systems. Therefore, it is important for the system designer to realize that some conventional network practices must be avoided. Although each network design is unique and may carry its own performance requirements, compliance to the following three points will assist in building an audio network that is trouble free and efficient.

First, audio and conventional data communications deliveries should not exist on the same LAN or VLAN. The exception to this is the RAVE 520uz Single Wire Interface, which offers a solution for converging audio and QSControl.net onto the same LAN or VLAN. How- ever, conventional communications, such as corporate networks, print services, e-mail and Internet access, should not exist alongside CobraNet audio and QSControl.net on the same LAN or VLAN. Further, CobraNet audio and QSControl.net data should not exist together on the same LAN or VLAN when implementing the Two Wire Interface. This is not to say that conventional communications cannot share the same network hardware with a RAVE 520uz. In fact, common network hardware, such as managed Ethernet switches and media converters, can service both RAVE 520uz products and conventional data communications equipment so long as the man- aged switch or media converter are partitioned into separate network domains. This is normally done by configuring a separate VLAN for each data type. (Some switches may allow individual port assignments or support partitions through DIP switch selection.)

Second, CobraNet audio must traverse either a repeater domain or a network switch domain. The point here is that the CobraNet port on a RAVE 520uz must connect directly to, and only to, either a repeater LAN or a switched Ethernet LAN. Hybrid networks containing both repeaters and switches are not permitted on the audio segment. Connecting the CobraNet port to a repeater that is in turn con- nected to a network switch poses an illegal and non-compliant condition. We recommend always connecting the QSControl and/or CobraNet port(s) directly to network switch ports.

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