E T H E R N E T N E T W O R K S & S W I T C H E S
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WheatNet-IP
/ Apr 2009
Designing the WheatNet-IP Network
Where to Start
Before you buy any network equipment, it may be beneficial to sketch out or
formally draw a block diagram of your system. A few typical system block diagrams
are included later in this chapter for your reference. Note the number of Ethernet ports
required, wire length estimates, potential Ethernet switch locations as well as the
number of BLADEs, PC drivers, and control surfaces. Remember this exercise is
intended to give you a general idea on what physical topology might work best in your
facility so it is probably best not to get bogged down in the details. This information will
also help guide you in network hardware purchasing decisions.
Many small Ethernet audio network applications may be assembled without much
preparation or difficulty while medium to large systems will require careful planning
to eliminate potential bottlenecks. When designing your Ethernet audio network it is
useful to consider the following parameters:
• Scope - Does the network design meet current interconnectivity requirements?
• Physical Infrastructure - Topology, switch placement, CAT-5e/CAT-6 cabling.
• Throughput - Is there enough switching throughput?
• Headroom - Is there room for growth built into the network?
• Applications - Will this be an audio only or shared use network?
• Serviceability - What is the maintenance plan?
• Monitoring - What network monitoring software tools are required?
• Remote Access - Is there a secure path to remotely monitor or troubleshoot the
network?
Cabling
The wiring requirements for the WheatNet-IP system follow the specifications for
1000BASE-T set forth in IEEE 802.3ab. That specification calls for UTP CAT-5e or
CAT-6 cabling, jacks, and patch cables to be used throughout the network. When wiring
with CAT-6 cable, use CAT-6 rated RJ-45 connectors that are designed to accommo-
date the thicker wire insulation. Note that unlike common 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Ethernet networks, the 1000BASE-T gigabit networks use all four twisted pairs inside
the cable. This specification requirement makes the system less tolerant of problems
stemming from sub-standard wiring installation. Because Auto-negotiation is part of
the 1000BASE-T specification either straight or crossover cabling may be used. We
recommend that all cables be wired identically simply to avoid potential confusion.
One often overlooked but critical step in the installation of Ethernet networks is
Certification. Poor installation methods can easily degrade your CAT-6 cabling into
CAT-3 performance. It is recommended that all Ethernet audio network cable runs and
patch cords be certified onsite to confirm that wiring patterns, bandwidth, and cable
length all meet specifications. This relatively easy but important step gives you peace
of mind and can save hours of troubleshooting time chasing connectivity and bandwidth
problems.