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The Purpose of this Guide:

This guide is designed as a way to introduce the basics of network setup and design and to serve as a refresher for some users who may want to reference it in their design of SVSi or other network based systems.

What is an IP Address

An IP Address is a unique identifier for a device on a network. It consists of a series of numbers that identify the network, and the device to all other devices on the network. The IP Address consists of a series of numbers divided into octets. Each octet identifies either the network, or the node (the attached device).

IP Addresses can be either statically assigned or dynamically assigned from a DHCP server somewhere on the network. Typically this is some sort of router, however some other devices can also serve as DHCP routers. For the purposes of an SVSi system, we recommend that you statically assign each device in the system its own IP address. More details on how to accomplish this can be found in our quick start guide.

What is a Subnet Mask

A subnet mask is similar to an IP Address in that it consists of four octect’s. A Typical Subnet mask will look like: 255.255.255.0

In practical terms what this means is the following:

Device 1 has an IP Address of 192.168.1.100. Device 2 has an IP address of 192.168.1.101. If both devices have a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 – then the devices can communicate with each other. However, if another device on the system, Device 3, has an IP Address of 192.168.2.100, and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 – then it will not be able to communicate with either device 1 or device 2.
If Devices 1, 2, and 3 have a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0 – then all three devices will be able to communicate with each other.
If Device 1 and 2 still have the same IP Address as above, and the 255.255.0.0 subnet, and there is another device on the system with the IP Address of 169.254.20.203 then those devices will not be able to communicate.

In essence, a 255 means that the octets between the two different IP Address must be the same, and a 0 means that they can be different. This can change and is a very simplified example. With larger networks, and you may need to consult your IT professional who is administering the network to get proper IP address. A Small chart below may help explain this:

Tip: If you are experiencing issues with communicating with SVSi devices during initial discovery or after changing a devices IP address, it is most likely an IP Address error.

How to configure a Computers IP Address with Windows 7

Configuring your computers IP address is different for each version of Microsoft Windows. This will cover the steps necessary to configure it in Windows 7.

Step 1: Select the Start Button and in the search bar enter “Network and Sharing Center”

Step 2: Open the Network and Sharing Center, Navigate to “Change Adapter Settings”

Step 3: Locate the correct Ethernet Adaptor (wired or wireless) and Right-Click It and select “Properties”

Step 4: Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4(TCP/IPv4); Select Properties

Step 5: Select “Use the Following IP Address” and enter the appropriate IP Address into the input box. Add the Subnet of 255.255.255.0.

Tip: If connecting to new SVSi equipment, change your IP address to 169.254.20.240

Step 6: Select OK.

You have now configured a static IP address for your computer. If your network has a different default IP address scheme (IE 192.168.1.XXX vs. 192.168.0.XXX), and you lose connection to the internet or other devices, you can restore it later by changing the settings back to Obtain an IP Address automatically.

Tip: If you receive an error about an IP address conflict, change the computers IP address to a different last number until the error no longer appears. It is suggested you start your IP address fairly high.

Example: 192.168.1.101 – ERROR

Example: 192.168.1.250 – No Error

Advanced Configuration – Multiple IP Addresses

In the case of having multiple different IP Address ranges to communicate with simultaneously, you can set up multiple IP Addresses for a single network interface card. To do so isn’t difficult and can make setup and communication easier as you eliminate the need to switch between network addresses when completing tasks an different network segments.

TIP: The best use of this step is during system setup. Following the instructions will allow the computer to communicate with the existing network, and the SVSi devices at the same time without having to change the computers IP Address.

Step 1: Return to the Network and Sharing center.

Step 2: Identify which connected network adapter you wish to modify. Verify that you have communication to the rest of the network. If you have a static IP Address already, skip to Step 4.

Step 3: Click the link next to the Connections List. In the Network Connection Status Pop Up Window, select details. Locate the Dynamically assigned IP Address on the line IPv4 Address. Write this number down. Close the window and return to the network center.

Step 4: Select Change Adapter Settings, and navigate to the correct adapter. Right Click and select properties; select TCPv4 and select Properties.

Step 5: Check “Use the following IP address” Enter the same IP address that you wrote down in Step 3. Change the Subnet to 255.255.0.0. Enter your default gateway (the address of the DHCP Host).

Step 6: Select Advanced in the bottom of the window. In the advanced TCP/IP Setting box, select “Add” in the IP addresses window.

Step 7: In the dialogue box that appears, enter a second IP address for your network adapter. If communicating with new SVSi equipment, enter 169.254.20.250. Subnet Mask of 255.255.0.0. Click “Add”, then “OK” and then “OK Again. Finally Click “Close” and return to your computer.

You should now have two IP Addresses that will appear in the properties window of your network connection. This should allow communication between multiple IP address schemes.

Introduction to Network Hardware Infrastructure

BASIC NETWORK DIAGRAM

A basic network can consist of several devices all connected together. In relation to hardware, there are two primary devices that provide your network backbone. The two devices are routers, and switches. Each operates in similar but different manners and accomplishes different tasks.

A Router is the device that can connect the internal network to the outside network. In home based applications this is the appliance that serves as your internet connection, the internal networks DHCP server, and routes traffic from a computer on the inside network to the outside world.

A Switch is the device that can only works on the internal network, and won’t communicate to the outside world without a router. This allows for traffic that is internal only to be sent from one device to the other without going through the router. If a the traffic must go to the outside world, the switch will send the data to the router which will in turn send the traffic outside of the local network.

Tip: For SVSi equipment, the data cannot go through a router (typically) to create a successful system you must have the devices on a switch or a series of interconnected switches.

Network Design:

Designing, building, and configuring the network is the first step in a successful SVSi project. Without a properly designed network, your SVSi system will be difficult to build and make fully operational. The first key factor in designing a network for SVSi is to design a system that is comprised only of switches. Routing multi-cast data while possible is difficult and is not recommended.

Basic Protocols:

VLAN

Virtual LANS are a way to segment network traffic in a switch and isolate that traffic from all other traffic potentially being carried by the same switch. In practical terms, you can separate SVSi traffic onto it’s own virtual network to prevent the multi-vast traffic from flooding the rest of the LAN, and making sure your network stays stable for all devices on the entire network. For smaller or dedicated networks, it may not be necessary to set up a vlan. However for larger network it will be. Steps to configure network switches can be found on the manufacturers website or by calling the manufacturers technical support line.

IGMP

IGMP is a networking protocol that helps direct traffic from a source to its destination or destinations. It is used to manage multi-cast groups, and to stop the network from being flooded with multi-cast traffic. When properly configured, the switch manages the Multi-Cast groups, and receivers join and leave groups as they switch between different live streams. If your switches can support IGMP, we highly recommend enabling IGMP.

NETWORK DIAGRAMS

Single Switch:

Single Switch Network Diagram

Mobile Podium Design:

Single Switch Network Diagram

Multiple Switch Design (Using Stacking Connectors and 10Gig Uplinks):

Multiple Switch Network Design

ADVANCED SWITCH CONFIGURATION

For advanced configuration of your switch, please contact your switch manufacturer, or purchase a pre-configured switch from SVSi. Below are links to some known working switch configuration files that you can follow to enable IGMP on certain switches.

Dell Powerconnect 6224 Configuration

NETWORKING TOOLS:

WireShark – http://www.wireshark.org/

WireShark is a packet sniffing tool, it can be used to track traffic across your network. You can add an IP filter in to track packets going to/from a specific IP address. More details can be found on WireSharks website.

Conductor NetLite – Download

Even if you have Conductor Server, or DiVAS, or a VDT111 having conductor NetLite on your laptop can be incredibly useful as a way to hook a laptop into a SVSi device anywhere in the network and have basic control including setting up a device, changing it’s IP Address, or uploading Local/Host Play files.

Chapter Navigation

What is an IP Address

What is a Subnet Mask

How to configure a Windows Computers IP Address

Advanced Configuration for multiple IP Addresses

Introduction to Network Hardware Infrastructure

Introduction to Network Design

Network Protocols

Network Design Examples

Advanced Switch Configuration

Networking Tools – the Basics