Expression 3 - ETC

Understanding ETCNet
The console is capable of operating with other devices in local area
networks. ETC has two such networks, ETCNet and ETCNet2, and both
operate using Ethernet protocols. None of the Expression-family consoles
are capable of operating directly on ETCNet2. One exception is through
the use of a ETCNet2 DMX Node as a DMX-to-ETCNet2 converter, but
this network configuration will not be discussed in this User Manual.
When operating on ETCNet, any network interface device connected to
the network mimics the output of the console. Your network devices can
be the older-style Remote Interface Unit (RIU) devices or Remote Video
Interface (RVI) devices. Or, they may be ETC’s newest remote interface
devices, including the ETCNet2 DMX Node and the ETCNet2 Video Node.
You can mix and match old and new interface devices in your network.
Only the newer nodes are capable of operating on ETCNet2.
Installing interface devices
To install RIU or RVI devices, follow the instructions given in the
Reference appendix of this manual. To install an ETCNet2 node, see the
separate Installation Guide for that device.
Network wiring
Your console may be connected to the network using either thinnet (BNC)
or twisted pair (RJ45) wiring. If you are connecting your console directly
to an ETCNet2 interface device, you must use twisted pair wiring. If you
use more than one remote interface device, you must use a hub. If the
hub has thinnet ports, you can connect the console and older interface
devices to the hub using either twisted pair or thinnet, but you must use
twisted pair when connecting any ETCNet2 interfaces to the network.
Preparing interface devices
Every device operating on your ETC network must be running the same
system software. If you have a new system, most likely the software
installed in each device is compatible with all the others. But different
versions of software can exist in different devices because of software
upgrades that occurred while the device was being manufactured. You
should make sure.
To verify the software running on your interface devices and upgrade it if
necessary, go to the Remote Unit Upgrade Program display. You reach
this display using the Remote Interface diskette supplied with your
system or in a system software upgrade kit. Follow the procedure given
under Upgrading remote interface devices, page 346.
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