RDM ?

You are correct in thinking RDM isn't related to using the ETCPad. ETCPad only uses the network to talk back and forth.

RDM is basically an extension to DMX that allows bi-directional communication. It allows you to do things like set address of your fixtures and see error status of your dimmers. In order for RDM to work, your devices have to support it. I'd read up on what you have and if they support any RDM features. If your equipment doesn't support it, it's better to leave RDM unchecked.

Great, thank you. Though the chance of us being anywhere near using > 1 Universe are very remote I would still like to learn more about the very big shows that use DMX over Ethernet (Art-Net, sACN) and how some programs actually go out and 'find' node addresses. But how it ties in with local DMX is out of my ball park presently. Could you recommend any good books or on-line resources that start simply but go on to complex show systems?

I'm more of a YouTube kinda guy, so I can't suggest any good books. But to put it in the simplest terms possible as far as flow goes:

(optional), [description]

Old school:

Console -> DMX Cable -> (OptoSplitter -> Wireless DMX Trasmitter -> Wireless DMX Reciever -> DMX Cable ->) DMX Controlled Device

New school:

Console- > Ethernet -> (Ethernet Switch ->) Node/Gateway(s)[possible to get 1 or many universes through Protocols such as Art-net, sACN, EDMX..] -> (Wireless DMX Reciever -> Wireless DMX Transmitter ->) DMX Cable -> DMX Controlled Device

Search any of the terms here you don't understand yet in Google, and you get a heap of resources. After that, it is up to you to find one you can digest. After all, everyone has different learning styles. A good word I throw in front of my google searches if I'm having trouble grasping the concepts is "Understanding". So for RDM I would try "Understanding RDM Lighting" as my search and that would get me a few videos and a few articles to have a go with.

The best part about all the questions you have had so far is they all based on protocols. Protocols have a defined set of rules they have to follow to qualify, which makes for some pretty consistent learning materials.

Good luck!

I'm more of a YouTube kinda guy, so I can't suggest any good books. But to put it in the simplest terms possible as far as flow goes:

(optional), [description]

Old school:

Console -> DMX Cable -> (OptoSplitter -> Wireless DMX Trasmitter -> Wireless DMX Reciever -> DMX Cable ->) DMX Controlled Device

New school:

Console- > Ethernet -> (Ethernet Switch ->) Node/Gateway(s)[possible to get 1 or many universes through Protocols such as Art-net, sACN, EDMX..] -> (Wireless DMX Reciever -> Wireless DMX Transmitter ->) DMX Cable -> DMX Controlled Device

Search any of the terms here you don't understand yet in Google, and you get a heap of resources. After that, it is up to you to find one you can digest. After all, everyone has different learning styles. A good word I throw in front of my google searches if I'm having trouble grasping the concepts is "Understanding". So for RDM I would try "Understanding RDM Lighting" as my search and that would get me a few videos and a few articles to have a go with.

The best part about all the questions you have had so far is they all based on protocols. Protocols have a defined set of rules they have to follow to qualify, which makes for some pretty consistent learning materials.

Good luck!