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5
Frequently Asked Questions
Monitor Station V2
Owner’s Manual
5
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect a Dante device directly to my computer?
Yes. Simply connect your Dante-enabled devices to an Ethernet switch, using CAT5e
or CAT6 Ethernet cable, then connect your computer to the same switch.
If you have only one Dante-enabled device to connect to your computer, you can
eliminate the switch and simply connect the two with a CAT5e or CAT6 Ethernet
cable.
What type of Ethernet cable is recommended for Dante?
As most Dante devices support gigabit Ethernet, CAT5e or CAT6 cable is
recommended. For purely 100 Mbps networks, CAT5 may be used.
Does Dante work with fiber optic network cable?
Yes. Because Dante works with standards-based networking technology, using fiber
is simple. Use a switch that supports fiber connections to send Dante data over a
fiber optic cable.
Ethernet is not copper- or fiber-based; it is independent of the cabling medium.
Many organizations will have fiber already in place from other projects, and this can
simply be reused on a Dante network.
Is it possible to make direct connections between Dante-enabled equipment?
Yes. Once routes are established with Dante Controller, a simple network of two
Dante devices will work in a stand-alone fashion.
Can Dante devices be daisy-chained?
In most cases the answer is “no.” Dante devices are connected via a network switch,
which most often means a “star” topology: All devices are connected to a single
central point, which minimizes the number of “hops” through which data must pass.
This also avoids the scenario in which the failure of one device causes the entire
chain to break.
NOTE:
The secondary port found on some Dante devices is not to be used for daisy
chaining; this is for Dante redundancy only. Please check your device’s documentation.
Can Dante operate over a Wi-Fi network?
No. While possible in principle, the practical limitations of current wireless
technology (802.11a/b/g/n) render reliable performance unachievable. For this
reason Dante software such as Virtual Soundcard will not recognize wireless
connections for audio data. Wireless access points for non-Dante traffic (device
control, etc.) can be configured using managed switches.
Does Dante require any special network infrastructure?
No, special network infrastructure is not required. Since Dante is based upon
universally accepted networking standards, Dante-enabled devices can be
connected using inexpensive off-the-shelf Ethernet switches and cabling.
Does Dante require a dedicated network infrastructure?
No, a dedicated network infrastructure is not required. Dante-enabled devices can
happily coexist with other equipment making use of the network, such as general-
purpose computers sending and receiving email and other data.
Can you mix control data and audio on the same network?
Yes, audio can be sent over the same network as control information and even
unrelated data traffic.
