QSC Audio RAVE 160, RAVE 81 Network Topology Examples, Two nodes with a direct cable connection

NETWORK TOPOLOGY EXAMPLES

Two nodes with a direct cable connection

Advantages: very low cost; very high reliability; simple to implement

Disadvantages: limited to 100 meters (328 feet) total network size; no expandability; uses non-standard wiring of RJ-45 connectors on Ethernet cable

The simplest and most direct RAVE network

comprises two RAVE units connected by a single crossover cable. This network has only one segment, so the 100-meter limit applies to the segment and thus to the entire net-

work. There are no hardware costs other than the RAVE units themselves and the cable for the interconnection. Also, there are few potential failure points. However, there is no way to connect additional

RAVE units without resorting to adding a hub, and because a crossover cable isn’t usually an off-the-shelf item, you’ll probably have to wire it yourself.

Two nodes with a 100baseTX hub

Advantages: greater network size—up to 200 meters (656 feet); high reliability; readily expandable; uses standard Ethernet patch cables

Disadvantages: higher cost

This network is similar to the previous one, but with a hub in between, breaking up the network into two segments which can each be up to 100 meters long. Yes, there is the

added expense of a hub, and you are adding the slight possibility of a hub failure, but the net media can be simple off-the-shelf patch cables, and you can easily expand the net-

work by connecting additional nodes to the hub. Astute observers and those who read ahead in the manual will notice that this network configuration is really just a star topology with only two nodes.

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