User Manual

NETWORKING
66
A QUICK GUIDE TO NETWORKING
MOTU AVB networking has been designed to be
powerful, yet straightforward to set up and use.
Here are a few things that are useful to know.
Networking basics
■ Before proceeding below, review the networking
connection diagrams on pages 32-34.
■ To make network connections, use shielded
CAT-5e or CAT-6 cables (a higher grade cable).
■ Network cable lengths can be long: 100 meters
with standard copper wire cables; much longer
with fiber-optic network cables.
Working with AVB switches
■ Networks of three or more interfaces require an
AVB-compatible switch. You can use any standard
AVB switch on the market. MOTU offers the five-
port MOTU AVB Switch™ (sold separately).
☛ A non-AVB compatible switch will not work.
■ Connect MOTU AVB interfaces to any AVB
Switch using their NETWORK ports.
■ On the MOTU AVB Switch, connect MOTU
interfaces to the five AVB NETWORK ports (not
the Ethernet port). Connect the Ethernet port to a
Wi-Fi router, your Local Area Network (LAN) or
your computer (for running web app only).
■ Expand the network by adding more switches.
Make a single connection from one switch to the
other. On MOTU AVB Switches, use their AVB
NETWORK ports, NOT the Ethernet port.
■ You can daisy-chain switches in serial fashion,
but don’t create loops. For example, in the network
below, do not make any additional connections
between any two switches.
■ AVB audio can’t pass through more than seven
switches. However, you can daisy-chain more than
seven switches and route audio freely among them.
You just won’t be able to create point-to-point
connects that span more than seven switches.
Working with computers on a network
■ Computers are not required for network
operation, as you can control the network from
iPads, tablets and smart phones.
■ To add computers to the network, connect them
to any interface using Thunderbolt. If Thunderbolt
is not available, use USB or AVB Ethernet.
■ All computers and interfaces on the network
have full access to each other.
■ MOTU employs a 1 Gbit AVB implementation in
the MOTU AVB Switch. The switch allows routing
of many audio channels on the network.
Wi-Fi router, Ethernet
hub/network, or
computer
MOTU AVB interfaces or
other AVB switches
(Sold separately)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G