TAIKO AUDIO TAP0016 Extreme Router User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- TAIKO AUDIO
Table of Contents
TAIKO AUDIO TAP0016 Extreme Router
Product Information
The Taiko Audio Extreme Router is a high-performance networking device designed to improve network stability and reduce network noise for audio systems. It offers advanced features and specifications to enhance the audio streaming experience.
Features
- Improved network stability
- Battling network noise for optimal audio performance
- Easy installation with Ethernet cables
- WAN port and general purpose ports for device connectivity
- SFP connector for LAN connection
- Optional Extreme DC Power Distributor for enhanced performance
- Web-based interface for configuration and management
- USB drive sharing capability
- Firmware update support
Safety
The product complies with safety standards and guidelines to ensure safe
usage. Please refer to the user manual for detailed safety instructions.
Specifications
- Power input: 7-12V DC (12V recommended)
- Current draw at 12V: 500mA (depending on supplied voltage)
- Connector dimensions: 2.5mm inner / 5.5mm outer / 11.3mm length
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 22 x 22 x 5 cm / 9 x 9 x 2 inch
- Weight: 15 Kg / 33 lbs
Product Usage Instructions
Installation
To install the Taiko Audio Extreme Router, follow these steps:
- Connect your devices using Ethernet cables with RJ45 connectors.
- The first port next to the USB ports is the WAN port.
- The two RJ45 ports next to the WAN port are general purpose ports.
- Use the SFP connector as the LAN port for preferred connection to the Extreme Switch.
First Authentication
To authenticate and configure the router, perform the following steps:
- Open a web browser on a device connected to the Audio Router.
- Enter the router’s IP address (default: 192.168.100.1) in the browser’s address bar.
- Use the username “admin” and locate the password at the bottom of the device to log in.
- Change the password for security reasons by going to System > Administration and entering a new password.
Network Setup
You can set up the network manually or specify another protocol for
Internet access. Refer to the user manual for detailed instructions on network
setup.
USB Drive Sharing
To share a USB drive, follow these steps:
- Insert your USB drive into the USB port of the router.
- Go to System > Mount Points and click on the Add button.
- Select your USB drive and enter a name for the directory to mount.
- Click the Save button and then scroll down to click the Save & Apply button.
Firmware Update
Refer to the user manual for instructions on firmware updates. Please note
that the above instructions are a summary. For detailed instructions and
further information, refer to the complete user manual provided with the
product.
The Concept
Housed in the same beautiful 22 x 22 x 5 cm / 9 x 9 x 2 inch solid copper
chassis as the Taiko Audio Extreme Switch, the Taiko Audio Extreme Router
yields a significant lowering of noise by controlling the amount and flow of
data on the network.
A basic setup would be for the user to connect the Extreme Music Server to a
generic router directly or via a generic network switch. This setup can be
upgraded by adding the Taiko Audio Extreme Network Card and Extreme Network
Switch to achieve a significant improvement in Sound Quality. To raise the bar
even further, the user can add the Extreme Router to create an audio exclusive
(isolated) network unimpaired by typical home network processes and traffic.
The Router has a single WAN (“input”) network port which connects to your home
network to provide internet access for the audio network. It has 3 separately
configurable outputs, one of which connects to your music server or,
preferably, the Extreme Switch. the 2 others can be used for additional
desired connectivity, such as for example a dedicated wifi Access Point and/or
a wired control computer.
All networking parameters can be defined and thus allow full control over the
data stream being delivered to the Taiko Audio Extreme Switch and/or Extreme
Music Server.
Features
- One SFP port that can accept a DAC cable. Note that this SFP port only works with 1Gb connections. It will not work with 100mbit connections.
- 4 RJ45 ports of which 3 can be used when the DAC port is enabled.
- The Router can be used to create a separate Audio-only network in series with (connected downstream of) your Internet Service Provider-supplied modem/router or any other router.
- Serve as a NAS (for music storage), 2 external USB drives can be connected.
Safety
The Taiko Audio Extreme Router is the perfect solution for networks requiring
more than the standard router. This high-performing router is based on the NXP
Layerscape® chipset technology and specifically selected router firmware to
provide the utmost security. With the Taiko Audio Extreme Router, you can have
full access to your network while keeping malicious actors out.
This router was carefully designed with the help of specialized cyber-security
engineers to ensure that all possible scenarios to reduce the risk of a data
breach and mitigate their impact were taken into consideration.
It is protected against unauthorized access and malicious activity, including
disabling services, segmentation of the hardware to restrict access,
configuring firewalls, and performing regular updates. Unlike other routers on
the market, the Taiko Audio Extreme Router is designed for long-term
availability and use, with regular software updates for the next 5 years and a
physical TPM that provides secure and tamper-proof hardware-based storage for
encryption keys and other sensitive data. This ensures that malicious actors
can’t access the audio router and its audio network and that any firmware or
software updates are verified and secure. With a TPM, the risk of unauthorized
access, hacking, and data breaches are greatly reduced, providing users with
peace of mind when it comes to the security of their audio network.
Battling Networking Noise
(Simplified explanation)
We are taking a 180-degree angle approach to networking noise relative to the
more common methods that are currently used.
Think of the following analogy:
- Being stuck in a silent room with a leaking water tap into a bucket of water.
- Those same drops of water falling into an ocean with you on the beach enjoying the sound of waves.
Our approach is to not drown out irregular noise by hiding it in a wideband
high noise floor but rather to make the offending noise itself inaudible
allowing you to relax in that silent room and enjoy the sound of silence.
In a normal home setup with an X number of devices, smart TVs, streaming
devices, desktop computers, notebooks, smartphones, tablets, smart lighting,
smart household appliances, etc., adding more devices with a relatively small
increase in total network activity is not very noticeable.
However, when you create a new network for audio, using a dedicated router,
with a bare minimum of devices, with overall very low activity, and the
activity is controlled on the router and connected devices, any additional
device creating additional and uncontrolled network activity suddenly does
become noticeable.
Installation
For installation, you need to connect your devices using Ethernet cables with
RJ45 connectors. The first port next to the USB ports is the WAN port and the
2 RJ45 ports next to the WAN RJ45 port are general purpose ports. The SFP
connector is used as a LAN port and is the preferred method of connection to
the Extreme Switch.
Please see the following image.
The optional new to be released Extreme DC Power Distributor allows you to
power both the Extreme Switch and Router from the same power supply while
offering improved performance over 2 separate power supplies, especially when
using a DAC cable to connect the Extreme Router to the Extreme Switch.
Please see the following image.
First authentication
Open a web browser on the device connected to the Audio Router. Enter the
router’s IP address in the browser’s address bar. By default, the IP address
of the router is 192.168.100.1
You will see the following login screen:
To log in, you need to use the user ‘admin’ and enter the password which is located at the bottom of the device. After successful login, you will see the following screen:
For security reasons, you should change the password. Please go to “System- Administration” and enter a new password. See the password change screen:
Network setup
You can set up your Internet connection.
By default, the router uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to
obtain Internet access parameters. Therefore, the Internet connection should
work automatically after turning on the router. Most Routers will work this
way. If you know that your router does not provide DHCP, then you need to
configure access to the Internet in accordance with the recommendations of
your provider.
Please, go to “Network->Interfaces” and click on the “Edit” button on the line
where the WAN/eth0 interface is located. See the screenshot below:
You can set it to manual or specify another protocol for Internet access.
USB drive sharing
Please insert your USB drive into the USB port. Go to “System->Mount Points”, scroll down to “Mount Points” and click on the “Add” button. See the screenshot below:
In the new window, you must select your USB drive and enter the name of the directory to mount and then click the “Save” button. For example, you can type “/vault” directory. See the screenshot below:
Then, you must scroll down and click the “Save & Apply” button.
Firmware update
To ensure the highest level of security we strongly advise always keeping the
router software up to date. To indicate the availability of updates in the
user interface, there is a “FIRMWARE” button in the upper right corner. If it
is green, then a new update is available. If it is grey, then the system has
the latest updates installed and no action is required.
To update the firmware, click on the “FIRMWARE” button or go to “System-
Firmware Update” and click on the “Check Update” button. If the update is
present, you can click the “Install” button. See the screenshot below:
Specifications
The Router is powered by any normal 7-12V DC power supply. It may also be
powered by our new to be released Taiko Audio BPS (Battery Power Supply). This
BPS can power the Extreme Music Server in addition to the Router, but if the
Router is not placed close to the audio system, it will need its own power
supply.
A standard wall-wart power supply is included but the Router will sound better
with a higher-end power supply. The ultimate solution would be to add the
optional new to be released Extreme DC Power Distributor. This allows you to
power both the Extreme Switch and Router from the same power supply while
offering improved performance over 2 separate power supplies, especially when
using a DAC cable to connect the Extreme Router to the Extreme Switch.
- Power input: 7-12V DC. (12V is the optimal voltage)
- Current draw at 12V: 500mA natively. Note that the total current draw depends on the supplied voltage.
- Connector dimensions: 2.5 inner / 5.5 outer / 11.3mm length (this is the same connector as for the Extreme Switch)
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 22 x 22 x 5 cm / 9 x 9 x 2 inch
- Weight: 15 Kg / 33 lbs