Extron Electronics Dante Controller - Manual (Page 14)

Dante Controller User Guide
Copyright © 2013 Audinate Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. -14-
Dante Basics
Discovery and auto-configuration
When a Dante-enabled device is connected to an IP/Ethernet network, it will automatically:
1. Configure its IP address
2. Advertise itself to allow automatic discovery
Within seconds of a Dante-enabled device connecting to a network, Dante Controller will automatically
discover and display the device, allowing you to configure channels and route audio.
Automatic network configuration
A Dante-enabled device connected to a network will automatically setup its own network configuration,
including its IP address.
If the network has a DHCP server, which may be the case for installed networks, it will receive its IP
configuration using the standard DHCP protocol.
On a network without a DHCP server, which may be the case for temporary or smaller networks, the
Dante-enabled device will automatically assign itself an address using link local protocols, in the same
way PCs and printers often do.
Automatic discovery
A Dante-enabled device will advertise information about itself to other Dante devices and Dante Controller,
including:
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Device name
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Audio channel labels
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Number of audio channels
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Sample rates and bit depths
This information can be seen when viewing a device on Dante Controller, and allows Dante devices to
determine compatibility with other devices, such as compatible sample rates to allow audio to be routed.
Differentiating between input and output channels
Channels are classified according to whether they put audio data onto or take audio data off the network:
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A channel that puts audio data onto the network is known as a transmitting, Tx or output channel.
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A channel that takes data off the network is known as a receiving, Rx or input channel.
Device Names and Channel Labels
In Dante, devices and audio channels are identified by names and labels, not “magic numbers”. Device
names and channel labels can be customized.