Alyseum AL-USB - Manual (Page 9)

AL-USB – User’s manual © - Revision 1.7
Page 9
7 About
7.1 Ethernet
Alyseum products rely on Ethernet to transport data; compared to other solutions (USB,
IEEE1394, ...) Ethernet offers many advantages:
● Available on all computer platforms
● No real limit in cable length and node connections.
● Full
Duplex.
● Very high bandwidth.
● Very low Latency.
● Frees the computer of the MIDI flow handling of USB/Firewire interfaces
● Embedded devices can work without any computer in the network
● Peer to peer capability.
● Full electrical isolation between machines, preventing audio hum due to ground loops.
● Low cost, ubiquitous and reliable infrastructure.
7.1.1 Note about Wi-Fi use
Using these products via Wi-Fi is possible but not guaranteed. Wireless transmissions are
subject to perturbations that require data resending which implies unavoidable delays which
are inconvenient for real-time musical purposes.
This is why Alyseum only guarantees good performance when using wired network.
7.1.2 Tips for a efficient Ethernet Network
The performance of an Ethernet network is always related to the weakest link.
● Use the WI-FI only for the web, Email, ... and the wired network of your computer for
the CopperLan and audio streaming
● For large installations, use an additional network card in your computer to create a
network dedicated only for CopperLan and audio streaming
● For large installations , preferably use Gbit Ethernet switches to guarantee a better
data exchange
● Avoid Ethernet HUB as these create collisions in messages that could hamper the
overall network performance
7.2 CopperLan
CopperLan offers many advantages:
● Connectivity guaranteed with any hardware/Software supporting CopperLan.
● No IP addresses, thanks to an address abstraction layer.
● Protocol and networking system for command & control + streaming management.
● Self configuring & Plug and Play.
● Decentralized work distribution and storage – every CopperLan equipment
incorporates its own server.
CopperLan manages MIDI in a more powerful and flexible than any other technology
available. The benefit of having its own dedicated protocol surpasses the afterthought
solutions relying on TCP/UDP-IP in terms of speed and user-friendliness.