Repeater—Network repeaters are commonly referred to as Ethernet multi-port hubs. A data signal arriving in any port is reproduced out all other ports on the hub. A repeater hub does not buffer or interpret the data passing through it. An Ethernet network is typically wired in a star configuration and the repeater hub is at the center. Repeaters are half- duplex by design and all RAVEs attached to a repeater share the same broadcast domain. 64 audio channels is the maximum capacity on a LAN configured with network repeaters. Repeater networks with RAVE require the use of Class II devices that are 100 Mbps only.
Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network re- peaters or only network switches. A mix of these de- vices is not supported on the same LAN. This does not apply to non-CobraNet™ traffic.
Simple Network Management Protocol—SNMP is the network industry’s standard for control and monitoring of net- work devices. SNMP is a cross-platform,cross-net- work protocol and may be used as the interface for managed network switches and multi-protocol rout- ers. CobraNet supports SNMP as one method for ac- cessing its Management Interface.
Stand Alone Mode— Stand alone mode is operating a RAVE using the RAVE’s front and rear panel controls. All available management interface variables are ac- cessed using the front panel hexadecimal switches when operating in stand alone mode. Also called hard- ware mode. Redundancy and external Synch can be setup via SNMP independent of the front panel switch positions.
Software Mode— Software mode is operating a RAVE using the SNMP software only. All available management interface variables are accessed through the network connection using a PC and the proper software.
Switch—A network switch examines incoming data and sends it to the port or ports to which the data is addressed. Networks that use switches realize higher overall bandwidth capacity because data may be received through multiple ports simultaneously without con- flict. Switches are full-duplex devices. A network that uses switches to connect network segments is called a switched network. Because each switch port has its own collision management and full use of bandwidth, audio capacity may realistically reach several hundred channels depending on the network architecture. Additionally, switched networks may support non-CobraNet packet types, allowing con- trol and monitoring of the system devices (QSControl, SNMP). Network switches range from basic stand-alone models to more complex man- agement and routing devices.
Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network repeaters or only network switches. A mix of these devices is not supported on the same LAN. This does not apply to non-CobraNet traffic.
Unicast Bundle— Unicast bundles provide a single point-to- point connection between two devices. Unicast transmission is the preferred choice when operat- ing on network switches. Data which is unicast is addressed to a specific RAVE or other CobraNet device. A network switch may examine the unicast address field of the data and determine on which port the addressed RAVE resides and direct the data out only that port. Unicast bundles conserve band- width network wide and reduce congestion at the node.
Uplink port—A special port on a network repeater or switch used for cascading or linking to another repeater or switch.
