Fundamentals of

ETC Networking:

Net3

Where we came from…

• Remember the days of Micro II, AMX, D192, K96, Avab, ECMux…

DMX512 was the result

• Then as Networking grew in the business industry, we created ETCNet…

Evolution of ETCNetETCNet1 (1992)

– Network was proprietary– No Standard existed

– Thinnet/Thicknet/Fiber

– Remotes the functionality of the console only

– Remote Focus Unit, DWS, Keyboard and Printer

– 3 DMX Outputs

– 1536 addresses or 3 universes

– Video generated by the console

– 10Mbps (speed)

ETCNet2 (1996)– Still more or less proprietary

– TCP/IP Standard

– Twisted Pair/Fiber

– Wired and Wireless Remote Focus Unit, Keyboard and Printer

– 2 to 4 DMX Outputs or Inputs

– 32,767 addresses or 64 universes

– NCE Software

– Video generated by the console

– Remote Macros

– 10/100Mbps – mostly 10Mbps

Where we are going…

• So we had ETCNet, ColorNet, ShowNet …and does anyone listen to one another?

Now we have ACN

What is ACN?

ACN is the highway on which devices will drive/communicate–ESTA standards driven (like DMX)–Open-ended structure

• Like XML in that it defines the structure, not the actual data (or vehicles on the highway)

• Accommodates products not even dreamed of yet…

What is ACN?

ESTA Interoperability Profiles (EIP)– Provide the standards by which different

manufacturer’s devices will work together– Examples of defined EIP standards:

• IP address allocation (DHCP, local-link…)• Device discovery• Data streaming

What is Net3?

ETC network communication built on ACN standards– Net3 is ETC’s guarantee of

• End-to-end functionality• Tested level of performance• “Better together” features

– HTP and priorities in a similar manner to ETCNet2– Super-set of ACN interoperability profiles and “better

together” features required for ETC equipment

Evolution of ETCNet

Net3 (2007)– Open architecture based on ACN

– TCP/IP and UDP Standards

– Twisted Pair/Fiber

– Wireless RFU and Radio RFU

– 1 to 4 DMX/RDM Outputs or Inputs

– 32,767 addresses or 64 universes

– Net3 Configuration Software

– Video generated by network device = unlimited video

– Remote Contacts In and Out

– MIDI / SMPTE

– Power over Ethernet

– 10/100/1000Mbps – mostly 100Mbps

ETCNet2 (1996)– Still more or less proprietary

– TCP/IP Standard

– Twisted Pair/Fiber

– Wired and Wireless Remote Focus Unit, Keyboard and Printer

– 2 to 4 DMX Outputs/Inputs

– 32,767 addresses or 64 universes

– NCE Software

– Video generated by the console

– Remote Macros

– 10/100Mbps – mostly 10Mbps

Switch

Node Node

Node

Dimmer Rack

A Basic Network

Moving Lights

Printer

Remote Focus UnitsDMX Devices

Remote Video

Consoles

ETCNet2 DMX Nodes

ETCNet2 Video Nodes

ETCNet2 Nodes

Basically a node or interface…• Modular – DMX port connections• Power over Ethernet or external DC

power supply• LCD screen for status and configuration

New Net3 Gateways

More Net3 Gateways

Net3 One-port Gateways

Net3 Two-port Gateways

Net3 I/O Gateways

ETC Network Equipment

CEM+ Unison CMEi

ETCNet2 Nodes

Net3 Gateways

Eos Congo

Sample System Layout

Basic Network Theory

+ Flexible Network Components= Innovative and Reliable

Networked Systems