ADDERLink INFINITY dual Manual v30
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30 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX TX About AboutThis page displays key information about the TX unit that may be requested by Adder Technical Support. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.33 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click the About link.
31 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX APPENDIX B - Receiver (RX) unit configuration pages This section covers the browser-based configuration utility for the AdderLink Infinity RX (receiver) unit. The RX utility has nine pages, titled as follows: • System Configuration • Statistics • USB Settings • Firmware Upgrade • Security • Reboot • AIM Manager • About • System Messages
32 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX Unit NameName details that you can alter to distinguish this unit from all others. Unit DescriptionAllows you to add a description of the unit, such as its location. Useful when many ALIF units are being used. System portThis section determines the IP address, netmask and gateway details for the main Gigabit Ethernet port located on the right side of the front panel. The default IP address is 169.254.1.32 which is the zero config IP address that allows the unit to work immediately in point-to-point mode. You are recommended to change this to an appropriate address in the private IP range 192.168.xxx.xxx The default netmask is 255.255.0.0. If you change the IP address to the private range, you are recommended to change this to 255.255.255.0 The default gateway address is 169.254.1.1 Management port (ALIF dual models only - not shown in screenshot left)Determines whether the port on the left side of the front panel is enabled and which IP address details it should use. The default IP address is 192.168.1.42. You are recommended to leave this address unchanged (or at least keep such addresses constant across all of your ALIF units) so that all visiting engineers will know which address to use. Teaming portDetermines whether the SFP socket on the right side of the front panel is enabled and which IP address details it should use. The default IP address is 169.254.1.42 which is the zero config IP address that allows the unit to work immediately in point-to-point mode. You are recommended to change this to an appropriate address in the private IP range 192.168.xxx.xxx The default netmask is 255.255.0.0. If you change the IP address to the private range, you are recommended to change this to 255.255.255.0 The default gateway address is 169.254.1.1 Note: Before the Teaming port can be used for connection via a network, you need to ensure that the System port has been configured away from its zero config IP address. Enable optionsThese checkboxes allow you to determine which peripheral options will be used: Video, audio, USB and serial. Audio Input TypeChoose ‘line’ for stereo line input, ‘mic’ for mono microphone or ‘mic boost’ for a mono microphone that requires extra gain (+20dB). Enable Video Compatibility Check (for DVI-D 1 and 2 on ALIF dual models)If enabled, this option compares the EDID reported by the PC graphics card and determines whether the display connected to the RX is capable of displaying the chosen video resolution. If not, an error message is generated and the connection is not made. Force Video Refresh Rate to 60HzIf enabled, the receiver frame rate is held at 60Hz regardless of the video input frame rate. The Video Switching options (below) cannot be altered when this option is enabled. Video switchingProvides two options for video switching: • Fast Switching (default state) - Retains the same frame rate (at either 50Hz or 60Hz) depending upon which video resolution was displayed first. • Match Frame Rate - Follows the source frame rate and will change the frame rate every time this changes even if the video resolution doesn’t change. If you have one receiver switching between 1920x1080@60Hz and 1920x1080@50Hz then this setting will change the frame rate from 60Hz to 50 Hz every time that you switch. Identify unitThese buttons cause the front panel indicators to flash. The (short) button flashes indicators for 5 seconds; the (long) button for one hour. Click the (short) button to override. RX System Configuration (1 of 2) To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 If necessary, click the System Configuration link.
33 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX System Configuration (2 of 2) Target Transmitter Unit Settings This section is where you configure the IP address details of the ALIF transmitter(s) that this receiver will connect with. You can quickly set all peripheral feeds (video 1/2, audio, USB and serial) to use the same primary (and secondary) locations using the IP Address (System port) and IP Address 2 (Teaming port) entries. For normal one-to-one connections enter the IP address(es) that match the System IP Address and Teaming Port IP Address settings of the target transmitter unit in this section. However, if this receiver is to take part in a multicast connection then you need to enter the IP address(es) that are set within the transmitter’s Target Multicast Configuration section. Alternatively, click the arrow to expand the section as shown bottom left. In the expanded view, for each peripheral feed, the first IP address is that of the targeted TX unit’s System port (to match the address(es). IP Address 2 corresponds to the optional Teaming port (when used). The use of the Teaming port as a parallel secondary link offers a degree of redundancy for your ALIF installation. With the Teaming ports of the TX and RX units connected in addition to the System ports, if one of the links should fail for any reason, there will be a short delay for a few video frames (and possibly some on-screen corruption) as all the data packets are rearranged to be sent down the other link. Obviously the bandwidth will be halved and frame rate will automatically drop, but a fully usable system will remain. [ALIF dual only] The Video No. for DVI-D-x option allows you to determine which video feed is sent to each output port. By default, the primary video feed is presented at port 1 while the secondary feed goes to port 2. These options allow you to ‘clone’ one of the video signals and deliver it to both ports - thus, requiring only one receiver to drive two displays. This solution is commonly used where two signage displays are mounted back-to-back and need to show the same video feed. With these options, you can also swap the two video feeds between the two ports. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 If necessary, click the System Configuration link. 4 Click within the Target Transmitter Unit Settings section. Note: ALIF dual screenshot shown above. ALIF 1002 models will provide options for a single video port only.
34 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX USB Settings Allow Human Interface Devices (HID) onlyWhen enabled, this option restricts supported USB devices to keyboards and mice only. The use of memory sticks and other devices will be disabled. Isochronous Endpoint OSD AlertsThe ALIF USB system does not support Isochronous USB. When enabled, this option will alert the user when an Isochronous USB device is connected. Enable Isochronous Endpoint AttachWhen enabled, this option will allow for an exchange of control information with an Isochronous device. Some devices have multiple endpoints e.g. a keyboard with an audio controller. By enabling this option, the keyboard functionality will work even though the isochronous audio functionality will not. Without this setting, the entire keyboard would be rejected as it would be detected as being solely an isochronous device. Port ReservationThis section allows you map the four USB connectors on the receiver to a specific USB port that has been reserved on the transmitter. It is useful if you have a specific device e.g. a touch screen that must allows be reported to a specific USB port on the USB host device. If you have two touch screens of the same type for each of the video displays, then using Port Reservation disables the USB merging mechanism and assigns individual USB ports for each display. This means that the driver can now separate the left hand screen from the right hand screen. See Reserved Port Range on the TX unit for further details. Advanced featuresThis section is used for special configuration and is disabled by default. If a USB device fails to operate as expected, this section allows special codes to be inserted to attempt to solve the issue. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click the USB Settings link.
35 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX Security EncryptionThis setting allows you to apply encryption to the USB and control data passed across the link. Note that video data is never encrypted. Secure Web pages with password When ticked, this option enables https security so that the configuration pages are only accessible to the admin user with a password. Change/confirm passwordThese options allow you to change the admin password for the system. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click the Security link.
36 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX AIM Manager Enable AIM ControlClick this button to allow an A.I.M. (Adder Infinity Manager) box to take control of this RX. When the button is clicked, the RX unit will be rebooted to allow the A.I.M. box to discover and control it. RX System Messages To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click either the AIM Manager or System Messages links, as appropriate. Enable system messagesTick to allow the creation of status and error messages by the unit. Send system messages to remote Log ServerChoose this option to send the system messages to a remote server via the network. Provide the IP address of a suitable server here also. Store system messages in unitWhen ticked, this option will store system messages within the memory of the unit. Click the View messages button to view the list or the Clear messages button to delete the list. Update NowClick to save and implement any changes that you make. AdderLink Infinity servers use the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) for all Syslog traffic.
37 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX Statistics RX Firmware Upgrade RX Reboot UpgradeUse this page to upgrade the main or backup firmware image on the unit. Please see the section Performing an upgrade for details. Reboot Use this page to perform a reboot or a factory reset. Please see the section Manual factory reset for details. Enable collection of bandwidth statisticsThe ALIF unit can record data transfer statistics from the System port and plot them on a graph for troubleshooting and optimization purposes. When you enable this option, you will first be presented with a pop up from which you can choose which aspects you would like to graph: Data throughput, various packet rates and/or frame rates. SubmitClick this button after ticking the above checkbox to plot the chosen statistics on a pop up graph. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click either the Statistics , Firmware Upgrade or Reboot links, as appropriate.
38 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX RX About AboutThis page displays key information about the RX unit that may be requested by Adder Technical Support. To get here1 Connect your computer to a port on the front panel. 2 Run a web browser and enter the IP address of the Management (ALIF dual only) or System port used: http://192.168.1.42 (management port) or http://169.254.1.32 (system port) If the address is unknown, perform a manual factory reset. 3 Click the About link.
39 INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION OPERATION FURTHERINFORMATION INDEX APPENDIX C - Tips for success when networking ALIF units ALIF units use multiple strategies to minimize the amount of data that they send across networks. However, data overheads can be quite high, particularly when very high resolution video is being transferred, so it is important to take steps to maximize network efficiency and help minimize data output. The tips given in this section have been proven to produce very beneficial results. Summary of steps • Choose the right kind of switch. • Create an efficient network layout. • Configure the switches and devices correctly. Choosing the right switch Layer 2 switches are what bind all of the hosts together in the subnet. However, they are all not created equally, so choose carefully. In particular look for the following: • Gigabit (1000Mbps) or faster Ethernet ports, • Support for IGMP v2 (or v3) snooping, • Support for Jumbo frames up to 9216-byte size, • High bandwidth connections between switches, preferably Fiber Channel. • Look for switches that perform their most onerous tasks (e.g. IGMP snooping) using multiple dedicated processors (ASICS). • Ensure the maximum number of concurrent ‘snoopable groups’ the switch can handle meets or exceeds the number of ALIF transmitters that will be used to create multicast groups. • Check the throughput of the switch: Full duplex, 1Gbps up- and down- stream speeds per port. • Use the same switch make and model throughout a single subnet. • You also need a Layer 3 switch. Ensure that it can operate efficiently as an IGMP Querier. Creating an efficient network layout Network layout is vital. The use of IGMP snooping also introduces certain constraints, so take heed: • Keep it flat. Use a basic line-cascade structure rather than a pyramid or tree arrangement. • Keep the distances between the switches as short as possible. • Ensure sufficient bandwidth between switches to eliminate bottlenecks. • Where the A.I.M. server is used to administer multiple ALIF transceivers, ensure the A.I.M. server and all ALIF units reside in the same subnet. • Do not use VGA to DVI converters, instead replace VGA video cards in older systems with suitable DVI replacements. Converters cause ALIF TX units to massively increase data output. • Wherever possible, create a private network. The recommended layout The layout shown below has been found to provide the most efficient network layout for rapid throughput when using IGMP snooping: Note: From firmware version 3.1, tree and hierarchical structures of network switches are also supported. The Transmitter now joins its own multicast group so there is always a route from the querier to the transmitter which was previously missing in earlier firmware versions. • Use no more than two cascade levels. • Ensure high bandwidth between the two L2 switches and very high bandwidth between the top L2 and the L3. Typically 10GB and 20GB, respectively for 48 port L2 switches. continued For the latest list of switches known to work with ALIF, please download the latest white paper ‘Successful AdderLink Infinity Implementation’ from www.adder.com/white-papers