Recommended Network Switch

Don't know how things work in your facility and assuming you are looking for a switch for a Net2/3 system, but I don't let either the campus ITS nor our in-house systems manager ANYWHERE close to my Net2 system.

Generally and ETC folks can correct me if I'm wrong, but I've been led to understand that it's probably best to avoid having the lighting network as part of any other network, thus was curious as to why the tech services folks want you to switch.

Steve B.

Our network is completely disconnected from the outside world with the exception of a desktop computer at the console. Even though it's running dual networks, we have it locked down pretty heavily. It has a client dongle to run it as a client, plus the Dimstat and GCE software to manage the gear. Everything is configured to look at the correct network.

Myself and my boss are the only ones managing the lighting network...I'd be afraid to let anyone else touch it given how we have it setup and running now.

Tech services had recommended that we move the system to a managed switch, as they didn't like the 24 port Netgear POE switch that we currently have installed....but did not specify why. They had mentioned that they liked the equipment from Dell but we can't justify paying $1400 for a managed switch. Thus why we're looking for suggestions. I'm all ears for any ideas to fail safe the system.

System is setup like so....

EOS 1.9beta as BACKUP

RPU 1.9beta as PRIMARY, also serving as a DHCP server

(3) SR48's running CEM+'s

(2) RVI's for tech

(1) DMX Gateway

(1) Midi Gateway

(1) RFR Base

(1) dedicated computer running EOS client, Dimstat, and GCE software.

At times we do have another laptop running as a client but not that often.

Everything is networked. We're running sACN into the racks as top priority with hardline DMX from the gateway as backup. The DMX and Midi gateway's, and the RFR base are POE'd off of the switch.

Knock on the wood......the system has been running great. But again, we're game for making it more fail safe.

Thanks.

There is no need for a managed switch. If it is working, I wouldn't change it. Moreover, the addition of a managed switch might actually cause problems or at least heart-ache.

Your best bet for failure management is a spare switch, tested and ready to go!

-luke-

out network is 100% separate from our sound system control network and our IT network.  this is just the best and most stable way of doing things and I would never do it differently.  IT networks go down all the time and I wouldn't want to have that even be a possibility of messing up my show :)  plus managed switches are much more expensive than dumb switches.

After several installations. I have seen that it can go very bad if installing managed switches. I agree with the others stay your system separated and unmanaged for a optimized lighting network.

Having done quite a few networked systems, and being a network admin, I will tell you there is no need for a managed switch.  Usually managed Layer2 switches are installed to provide some rudimentary routing if there are several systems being linked together, i.e. you have two facilities networked together.  Honestly, most of the features in a managed switch have to be carefully configured or disabled to alllow Net3 to pass, as it usually trips every security feature of a managed switch.

As long as a switch provides PoE and it has at least 24 ports, I see no reason to upgrade to a managed switch.  A recent 24port unmanaged switches has enough throughput for what you have listed.  There is some argument for reliability, since usually the upmarket managed switches are built better than the "consumer" grade network switches.  Basically, use that NetGear till it blows up (consumer switches usually have a shelf life of about 3-5 years) then worry about what comes next.  And, my two cents, a business-class Dell isn't gonna get you any more life.  To get what you would have expected from an opto-splitter you need to move into the telecom grade range, and for that I recommend HP ProLiant.

Thanks All!