Audio Over IP (AoIP)-Dante
To Audio Over IP or not to Audio Over IP. That should not be the question. The answer is a definitive yes. This should be a decision of adding another layer to the arsenal of audio options toolkit. We all still need analog and digital audio. Just add IP to that kit. Of the options available, from proprietary LiveWire and Wheatnet, to what may be considered standard, the choice is yours. Do not be fooled by AES67 claims. Think about what you want to do and why. I chose Audinate Dante. It compliments what I have and moves us into the future. And for my system it is integrated with Sierra Automated Systems (SAS) 32KD and Bravo. (It even supports AES67.) Choose wisely.
I know you have read about AoIP. I know you know about AoIP. I know you use AoIP. Any modern codec is using AoIP as we all use the Internet to feed audio remotely. The basics of creating an AoIP network is simple. You need a network. The main part of this network is your switch. Do not use a hub. Make it a good switch. Design your network for at least 1 GB. Depending what you decide on a platform, you may need a DHCP server, and possibly some high-end switches. Some will want to Subnet and use VLANs on existing networks. I am of the belief of making things simple, so I chose to create a completely independent and isolated network. I chose Dante.
What makes Dante “simple?” Many things, but the main is the fact it does not require any special hardware. No special switches. No special configurations. In addition to that it does not require DHCP. The IP addresses are automatically assigned by Dante just like the automatic addressing Windows does when a DHCP server is not available. I chose to manually, or statically, assign the IP addresses. To manage Dante, the machine that has the Dante Controller has two NICs (Network Interface Card), so one is assigned an IP address for the Dante network. As the audio in the broadcast facility is contained here alone, there is not need for a gateway. I have 59 devices, so the assignment and manually configuring of the Dante portion may take time, but once it is done, it is done.
You ask about automation and playback computers. Two NICs. Ask me how many times I have been off air with this configuration. I dare you. Zero. Keep that in mind. Each machine has 1GB NICs. All studios have CAT6 cable home runs to the switch. Avoid multiple switches if you can. This is in line with keeping things simple.
And that is the basic framework that I use. Keep it simple. Don’t try and do too much at once. Get used to what you are doing.
Next post will be the basics of Dante. I will cover the Dante Controller basics.
In the meantime, check some Audinate links while you plan your system:
So You’re Adding Dante to Your Network?
Broadcast: Radio
Cheers!
Tech Notes from the Field 