QSC Audio S series - Manual (Page 7)

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Repeater—Network repeaters are commonly referred to as
Ethernet multi-port hubs. A data signal arriving in
any port is reproduced out all other ports on the
hub. A repeater hub does not buffer or interpret the
data passing through it. An Ethernet network is
typically wired in a star configuration and the
repeater hub is at the center. Repeaters are half-
duplex by design and all RAVEs attached to a
repeater share the same broadcast domain. 64
audio channels is the maximum capacity on a LAN
configured with network repeaters. Repeater
networks with RAVE require the use of Class II
devices that are 100 Mbps only.
Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network re-
peaters or only network switches. A mix of these de-
vices is not supported on the same LAN. This does
not apply to non-CobraNet™ traffic.
Simple Network Management Protocol—SNMP is the network
industry’s standard for control and monitoring of net-
work devices. SNMP is a cross-platform, cross-net-
work protocol and may be used as the interface for
managed network switches and multi-protocol rout-
ers. CobraNet supports SNMP as one method for ac-
cessing its Management Interface.
Stand Alone Mode— Stand alone mode is operating a RAVE
using the RAVE’s front and rear panel controls. All
available management interface variables are ac-
cessed using the front panel hexadecimal switches
when operating in stand alone mode. Also called hard-
ware mode. Redundancy and external Synch can be
setup via SNMP independent of the front panel switch
positions.
Software Mode— Software mode is operating a RAVE using
the SNMP software only. All available management
interface variables are accessed through the network
connection using a PC and the proper software.
Introduction:
Glossary (continued)
Switch—A network switch examines incoming data and sends
it to the port or ports to which the data is addressed.
Networks that use switches realize higher overall
bandwidth capacity because data may be received
through multiple ports simultaneously without con-
flict. Switches are full-duplex devices. A network
that uses switches to connect network segments is
called a switched network. Because each switch
port has its own collision management and full use
of bandwidth, audio capacity may realistically reach
several hundred channels depending on the network
architecture. Additionally, switched networks may
support non-CobraNet packet types, allowing con-
trol and monitoring of the system devices
(QSControl, SNMP). Network switches range from
basic stand-alone models to more complex man-
agement and routing devices.
Note: CobraNet networks must consist of only network
repeaters or only network switches. A mix of these
devices is not supported on the same LAN. This does
not apply to non-CobraNet traffic.
Unicast Bundle— Unicast bundles provide a single point-to-
point connection between two devices. Unicast
transmission is the preferred choice when operat-
ing on network switches. Data which is unicast is
addressed to a specific RAVE or other CobraNet
device. A network switch may examine the unicast
address field of the data and determine on which
port the addressed RAVE resides and direct the data
out only that port. Unicast bundles conserve band-
width network wide and reduce congestion at the
node.
Uplink port—A special port on a network repeater or switch
used for cascading or linking to another repeater or
switch.