Network Design Considerations: Repeater Networks
REPEATER NETWORKS
•RAVE supports operation on network repeaters. These repeaters should be 100 Mbps class II devices. Collisions are prevented through CobraNet’s propri- etary “order persistent” media access scheme. RAVE invokes this access scheme by auto-sensing its link partner (network hardware). In order to reliably connect to a network repeater, the class II device should not support auto-negotiation or 10 Mbps operation.
All bundle distribution is multicast on network repeat- ers. Additionally, since repeaters provide a half-duplex connection to a shared media network, there is a limit of 8 bundles per LAN. This translates to a maximum of 64 audio channels per 100 Mbps LAN. A repeater network must also be dedicated to CobraNet communications only. Non-CobraNet data should not be directly connected to the same network repeater. However, RAVE does pro- vide a means to bridge serial data onto Ethernet via its RS-232 interface. As with CobraNet audio on repeater ports, serial data transmissions are available at all RS- 232 ports.
Sample repeater network using Ethernet hubs with media conversion
