Networking two theaters

Got a question for everyone!

 I have a new studio (connected to the larger performing arts center main stage) which will be online soon.  This new studio has an Ion console and the full net3 infrastructure (minus the remote processing unit).   We have just started the process of upgrading our main space to an Eos console with the same net 3 setup, plus I will (or would like to!) include a RPU.  The two lighting networks will be separate.

My question is this... How hard would it be to network the Ion console into the RPU in the main space?  Am I over-simplifying things by thinking that I can just run a network cable from the studio system to the main stage system?  Can the RPU backup an ION console?  Can the RPU backup an Ion and an Eos concurrently?

 Thanks!

Parents
  • Hi Pat,

     

    You can just run a network cable between the two networks (just keeping in mind the max cable lengths for ethernet).

    A RPU can backup for an Ion, but it cannot backup for both consoles concurrently. You would have to do some

    configuration changing when you want to backup for the Ion, and then change the configuration when you backup

    for the Eos.

     

Reply
  • Hi Pat,

     

    You can just run a network cable between the two networks (just keeping in mind the max cable lengths for ethernet).

    A RPU can backup for an Ion, but it cannot backup for both consoles concurrently. You would have to do some

    configuration changing when you want to backup for the Ion, and then change the configuration when you backup

    for the Eos.

     

Children
  • Thanks Corey!

     

    Thats what I was thinking.  The distance between the two theatres is less than 75' so I don't think that distance is an issue.

     

    Thanks again,

    Pat

  • Merging together two networks isn't always a simple case of a link cable.

    You do need to ensure that the spaces don't have overlapping IP addresses - and overlapping Net2 / Net3 address ranges may be an issue
    - Do you want to be able to control the main space from the Studio? (It's possible to do this. Whether it's a good idea is another matter!)

    However, given that you're upgrading the main space then it will be possible to ensure the two space won't interfere, and there is no technical reason why you couldn't have one huge lighting network (assuming fewer than around 200 nodes/Gateways, where it gets more complicated).
  • Will this be a simple switched network or will here be a router? Is all the network gear for the two spaces in the same room?

    It would be very easy to set up a routed network for the two space. One would just need to employ a star configuration. If a routed network is employed, it has been my experience that Net 3 gear does not really like to DHCP. But you will have to work all that out the an ETC tech.

     I did not know that it was possible to track two separate show files to one RPU, form two different desks. That is really cool.
     



    [edited by: usesafesets at 5:05 PM (GMT -6) on Tue, Jul 15 2008]
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