Dante AV Networking World - Introduction to Dante

Introduction to DanteDANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LEVEL 1

About AudinateHeadquartered in Sydney, AustraliaNetwork engineers firstDevelop Dante as 100% interoperable solution for all audio manufacturers

What we makeDante technology (all of it)Hardware modulesDevelopment toolsSoftware products:Dante ControllerDante Virtual SoundcardDante Via

The Dante Certification ProgramCourse structure: Level 1: Introduction to Dante Level 2: Intermediate Dante

Concepts

Certificate requires:Pass Level 1 online testPass Level 2 online testPass Level 2 in-person hands-on test

The Dante Certification ProgramDo your hands-on testing for Level 2 today at test stationsAll attendees will receive an email within 24 hours detailing next steps if you wish to become certifiedBoth Levels 1 & 2 must be passedIf you are in Track 2, you will be able to pass the

Level 1 online test

Level 1 TopicsDigital audio basicsIP networking basicsWhat is Dante?Using Dante

Digital Audio BasicsLEVEL 1

DANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Analog to Digital ConversionAnalog signal is sampled at constant intervalsYields a stream of values in timePCM

Sample RateHow often samples are takenNyquist Theorem:Samples must be taken at 2x

maximum audio frequency

Bit DepthHow many bits are used to represent amplitudeMore bits -> more accuracyCDs: 16 bitsPro: 24 bits

Number of Bits Number of Integers

1 22 44 168 256

16 6553624 1677721632 4294967296

Combining Sample Rate & Bit DepthMore of each -> greater fidelityIncreased bandwidth usageDiminishing returns

BandwidthBandwidth = (Sample rate) x (Bit depth)Example: 48kHz sample rate, 24-bit depth48,000 x 24 = 1.152 mbits/sec per channel

64 channels of audio at 48kHz/24-bit48,000 x 24 x 64 = 74 mbits/sec

Word ClockThe clock that determines when each sample is sampled or played outMust match original clock for playoutMust be consistent for all devices in a digital system

JitterDistortion caused by inconsistent word clock in playoutClassic problem with older “daisy chained” digital audioAES3, MADI, ADAT, S/PDIFExpensive to solve in older systems

LatencyAudio signal delay in a systemTransport and processingMainly a problem when we hear delayed and un-delayed signal simultaneouslyProblem for legacy networking systems (VoIP)

SummaryDigital audio works by playing out or recording samplesBit depth describes amplitude resolutionSample rate determines maximum frequency

Word clock must be consistentDigital audio produces data that can be transported like any other – time is key that Dante provides

IP Networking BasicsDANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LEVEL 1

How much networking do I need to know?

Not very much(usually)

Physical side of networkingModern small networks are made of 3 things:Things that get connectedSwitches: provide a central bridge for connectionsCables: connect them together

What kind of cable for Dante?Same as for any regular computer networkGigabit rated:CAT5ECAT6

300 feet max per run

What about Wi-Fi?Wi-Fi is another way to connect to IP networksMuch less reliable that wired EthernetNot compatible with Dante audioOK for Dante Controller only

What about fiber?Just another way to do EthernetMuch greater distances if neededRequires switches with SFP

SwitchesSwitches connect devices on a common networkAvailable small (5 ports) up to large (48 ports)Switches support all ports going full speed all the timeUse gigabit switches!

Switches – unmanaged & managedUnmanaged switches – plug ‘n play, limitedManaged switches – many many options and adjustmentsDante works with either typeManaged switches needed in “mixed” (e.g., audio + other data) or heavily loaded networksUnmanaged switches good in small dedicated audio networks

EEE SwitchesOne special note:EEE or “Green” switches are often not a good for real time mediaThe energy saving feature will shut down ports and prevent parts of Dante from working properlyDisable this feature, or use switches that do not support it

Topology

Device1

Device 2

Device 3

Device 4 Switch

Device 1

Device 2

Device 4

Device 3

Daisy chain

Star

Single Switch Example

PC or Mac

Dante VirtualSoundcard

SWITCH

Multiple stars

Switch

Device 1

Device 2

Device 4

Device 3 Switch

Device 5

Device 6

Device 7

Device 8

Switch

Multiple stars example

SummaryUse gigabit switchesCAT5E or CAT6 cableFiber for long runsManaged or unmanaged switches OK for audio-only networksUse a “Star” topology to minimize switch hopsAvoid or disable EEE

Logical side of networkingPhysical wiring diagram not very usefulAll connections “logical” – name-to-name in softwareData delivered in packetsNetwork technology is neutral; no special gear needed for audio

A word about network layersEach layer passes data to the nextLayer 1: physical connections (e.g., cables)Layer 2: devices represented by fixed hardware addresses (MAC)Layer 3: devices represented by variable IP addresses

What is an IP address?Numeric addresses mapped to devicesDynamic or user-assignedCommunication only between devices in the same IP address rangeLAN: all addresses in same range

What is a LAN?Local-area NetworkSmall number of devices (<200)Covers a relatively small areaVery reliable, fastShares a common IP address rangeMajority of audio networks are LANs

What is a “stand alone” network?A single LANUsually dedicated to one purposeNot dependent upon external resources (e.g., internet, servers)Not connected to other LANs through a router

Automatic addressingLAN requires IP addresses in same rangeAutomatic addressing enabled by default on Dante devicesSelf-assigned addresses create working LAN

SummaryLayer 3 networking allows use of IP addresses for connections”Stand Alone” networks are not connected to internet or external resourcesAutomatic addressing enables simple “plug and play” use of Dante in stand alone networks – use it!

What is Dante?DANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LEVEL 1

Dante is a hardware and software solution that transports precisely timed digital

audio between devices using standard IP networking

Dante features and benefits All devices use human-readable namesPrecise time alignment of all audioAutomatic device discoveryOne-click routingLow, deterministic latencyVirtually jitter-freeAutomatic re-connection after power cycles

How is Dante built into products?

Dante BandwidthLegacy digital systems constrained to lower channel countGigabit means Dante is capable of 512x512Even a large 64 channel console consumes only 1/8 capacity of a single port

512

64 32

Dante overGigabit Ethernet

MADI Cobranet over100bT Ethernet

Max Channels

Sample Rate and ConnectionOnly Dante devices using the same sample rate may connectMultiple sample rates on the same network OKHigher sample rates = fewer channels for same bandwidth

48kHz

48kHz

Latency100% deterministic – always well-definedDefault Dante latency 1ms – suitable for large networks(10 hops!)Adjustable to suit needsMinimum 150μsMaximum 5ms

Set per Device

ClockingDante handles clocking automaticallyClock Master is determined by electionAll devices sync'd to MasterEach device has a clockNew Clock Master elected as needed

What does Dante NOT do?Sample rate conversionLevel controlMIDISMPTE time codeThese are handled by productsControl and other data runs alongside

Dante on network

Using DanteDANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LEVEL 1

Dante ControllerPrimary Dante toolRouting: Setup, view, changeClockSample RateLatencyMonitoring

Discovery and RoutingIf no devices are connected, Dante Controller is emptyDante Controller always shows current state of networkKey concept: network state lives in devices

Discovery and Routing – direct connectWhen they are connected to network, Dante devices automatically appear in Dante ControllerNo pre-configurationHuman readable namesA Dante device can be connected directly to a computer

Discovery and Routing – view channelsUse switch to connect multiple devicesClick “+” sign to view device channelsClick “-” sign to hide channels

Transmitter channels on horizontalReceiver channels on vertical

Discovery and Routing - subscriptionsDante connections are “subscriptions”With device channels showing, click at intersection of desired transmit and receive channelsGreen checkmark means subscription is OKSample rates match

Discovery and Routing - deletingTo delete a subscription, click on green checkmarkCheckmark disappears, subscription deleted

Discovery and Routing - splitsSplits are easy with DanteSimply click at intersections of multiple receiver channels for a desired transmitterAudio sent to all subscribed channels

Device namesRecommended: Name first, then routeYou can use device names of your choiceDouble click device in Routing view, go to Device Config tabEdit name

Channel labelsLabels can be applied to any channelsUse Device ViewMakes it easy for volunteers or newbies to use systemSoftware version of masking tape 😉😉

Adjust Sample RateIn Device View -> Device Config tabAdjust sample rate and bit depth (Encoding)Choices determined by productMost common 48kHz / PCM 24

Power cycle recoveryDante Devices contain settings –not in Dante ControllerAt power up and/or reconnection, all subscriptions are re-establishedDante Controller not required!

Does Dante Controller need to be on the network all the time?

No

Summary: Key takeaways 1Dante Controller automatically displays connected devicesDante devices have user-definable namesDante Controller displays both transmitter (source) and receiver (sink) channelsChannel to channel connections are called subscriptions Subscriptions are made and deleted by clicking at the intersection of transmit and receive channels

Summary: Key takeaways 2Subscriptions may only be made between devices running the same sample rate, adjusted in Device ViewDante devices “remember” settings and subscriptionsDante automatically selects a Master ClockDante Controller does not need to remain on networkDante does not alter audio data in any way

Next stepsWant to know more?Take Level 2!Go in depth on:Dante ControllerDante Virtual SoundcardUsing MulticastRedundant Dante networksMore!

Thank youDANTE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

LEVEL 1