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    ckaiserca
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ION/Nomad Questions

We have upgraded our Ion to 2048 Outputs and also purchased a 2048 output Nomad Kit. I have a few questions that I hope can be answered.

My 1st question is very simple: Is there any way to make the Virtual Keyboard on Nomad an Ion Keyboard Layout?

2nd Question is not so simple:

I want to use the Nomad to be a backup for our full system. Right now, we are using 1 ETC Net3 Gateway with 2 universes that is located in a remote position. We are also using the two local DMX ports on the Ion to connect to our dimmer rack and a projector dowser located in the booth. We are also using ArtNet to control our Arkaos MediaMaster Server.

We are currently using the following equipment:

TP Link 16 Port Switch

TP Link Wireless Router (set up as an access point)

ETC Net3 GW4P00e 32d 4 Port DMX Gateway

Ion Console running the latest software and fixture library

Nomad Computer running the latest software and fixture library

Computer running Arkaos MediaMaster 4 Software (Controlled by ArtNet)

96 Channel ETC Sensor Dimmer Rack

City Theatrical DMX Dowser

ENTTEC DMX Ethergate Mk3

Our equipment is setup as follows:

Ion Console connected to Switch

Net3 Gateway connected to Switch (Carries signal for Universes 1 and 2)

ArtNet for Control of Arkaos MediaMaster connected to Switch (ArtNet Universe 0 patched into Ion Universe 3)

Wireless Access Point connected to Switch (for iRFR)

96 Channel Sensor Dimmer Rack connected to Ion Local DMX Port 1 (Universe 1)

City Theatrical Dowser (for booth projector) connected to Local Dmx Port 2 (also set to Universe 1) 

When our Nomad computer is hooked up to the switch and run as a backup, it will run everything with no issues as long as the main console is on. However, when the main console is off, I am unable to control the equipment that is connected to the Ion's Local DMX outputs. If I connect the equipment connected to the Local outputs to a ENTTEC Ethergate Mk3 that we have (via the switch) , I am able to control the local equipment, but nothing else seems to be hearing signals from the Nomad. I have no control over the equipment connected to the Net3 Gateway or to our Artnet controlled server.

This is the case whether the Nomad Computer is running in backup mode or in primary mode. 

The ENTTEC Ethergate is set up to be an sACN device with both DMX output ports set to Universe 1.

Is there any way to use the ENTTEC Ethergate Mk3 as a replacement for the Ion's Local DMX outputs and still maintain the ability to talk to the rest of the gear connected to the switch?

I am thinking of a worst case scenario where our Ion would undergo a complete failure. We have had issues in the past were the console needed to be sent away for repair. Luckily this has happened when we were not in a critical situation and were able to get a loner console. I need a backup that can be used within a few minutes in the event of a failure during a show.

Thanks!

  • 0
    question 1 (aka the simple one): no, this is currently not possible.

    question 2:
    from what i read here this should be possible. do i understand this correctly: you have your usual setup working and the moment you additionally connect the ethergate to the switch, everything else stops working? my first guess would be a conflict with IP-addresses. IP-Addresses are supposed to be unique in your network. are you sure that no two devices in your network have the same numbers?
  • 0 in reply to ueliriegg
    I suspected as much for question 1.

    As far as question 2 goes, I think I might need to check the configuration of the Enttec Ethergate. It has so many options that it could easily be set incorrectly. This will have to wait until after tonight's show.
  • 0
    Check that the ACN, sACN and Art-Net network protocols are configured the same in both the Ion and the Eos ETCNomad for the network port you're using.

    It sounds like you may have these protocols either turned off or configured differently in the ETCNomad, or it's trying to use the wrong network card - most laptops have a wired and wireless, it may be trying to use the wireless!
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