DirectOut TECHNOLOGIES DANTE.IO Dante Stream Audio Network Module User Manual

: June 1, 2024
: DirectOut TECHNOLOGIES

Table of Contents

Important Information
Introduction
Dante Controller
Switch – Configuration
DANTE.IO – Firmware Update
Customer Support
References
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DirectOut TECHNOLOGIES DANTE.IO Dante Stream Audio Network Module

DirectOut TECHNOLOGIES DANTE.IO Dante Stream Audio Network Module

Important Information

Copyright

All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or electronically reproduce any document or graphic in whole or in part for any reason is expressly prohibited, unless prior written consent is obtained from the DirectOut GmbH.
All trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners. It cannot be guaranteed that all product names, products, trademarks, requisitions, regulations, guidelines, specifications and norms are free from trade mark rights of third parties.
All entries in this document have been thoroughly checked; however no guarantee for correctness can be given.
DirectOut GmbH cannot be held responsible for any misleading or incorrect information provided throughout this manual.
DirectOut GmbH reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice.
DirectOut Technologies® is a registered trademark of the DirectOut GmbH.
© DirectOut GmbH, 2024

DANTE.IO

Introduction

DANTE.IO is an audio network module for Dante / AES67. It is hosted in a PRODIGY mainframe.

All functions of the device are managed via the Dante Controller application.

To control the functions of the host device connect your computer with the management network port (MGMT) and use the globcon application.

Dante Controller

To control a Dante network the application ‘Dante Controller’ needs to run on a computer that is connected to the audio network.

The software is available from the Audinate website (requires a free registration): https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-controller

A detailed documentation about using Dante Controller is available here: https://dev.audinate.com/GA/dante-controller/userguide/webhelp/

At startup Dante Controller scans the network for connected Dante devices a shows them automatically in the ‘Network View’.

The IP address of a Dante device must fit into the network environment for proper operation of a Layer 3 based network. However Dante Controller will mark a device entry red if the IP Address is not matching the network environment and helps resolving the issue.

NOTE

DANTE.IO supports control via Dante Domain Manager.

When a device is enrolled in a domain, it can be viewed and configured in Dante Controller only by DDM users that are members of the domain.

To use an enrolled device outside of the domain it is required to un-enroll it from DDM first or to reset the device via Dante Controller.

User Guide ‘Dante Domain Manager’ (Chapter: Enrolling Devices in Domains) https://www.audinate.com/learning/technical-documentation

Network View

The ‘Network View’ is organised in several tabs. All detected Dante devices are shown on a list.
Introduction

The DANTE.IO is delivered with the network interface set to DHCP as a default.

Dante Controller can be used to discover the device on the network and change the IP configuration if necessary – see “Network Config” on page 8.

Clock Status

The tab ‘Clock Status’ informs about the clock settings of each connected device and allows to modify them.
Introduction

‘Preferred Master’ sets the device as PTP Grandmaster in the network

‘Enable Sync to External’ allows to clock the device from an external source that is defined in the clock settings of PRODIGY – e.g. AES, MADI or internal. The device shall become Grandmaster of the network then.

Routing

The audio signal routing is accessible in the tab ‘Routing’
Introduction

‘Dante Receivers’ in the vertical column displays the receiving devices (= destinations).

‘Dante Transmitters’ in the horizontal row displays the transmitting devices (= sources).

The channel list can be expanded or collapsed for each device.

Connections are made by clicking into the matrix.

TIP

To patch a 1:1 connection:

Hold CTRL + Click the minus-symbol

To un-patch a 1:1 connection:

Hold CTRL + SHIFT + Click the minus-symbol

Device View

The ‘Device View’ is also organised in to several tabs.

It can be opened by double-clicking on to a device name in the ‘Network View’.

The status tab informs about the current firmware and software versions.

TIP

See “DANTE.IO – Firmware Update” on lower side.

Network Config

The tab ‘Network Config’ of the device view provides access to the operating mode of the built-in network switch and the network settings of the device.

Device Config

The tab ‘Device Config’ to adjust the device name, sample rate, encoding modes and more.

Switch – Configuration

Three network ports are available for transmission of audio signals and remote control. The built-in network switch can be operated in three modes:

Switched (all ports in the same network)
Redundant (1 = Primary, 2 = Secondary, 3 = Primary)
Red_Sec (1 = Primary, 2 & 3 = Secondary)

The switch will be configured automatically by selecting the respective operation mode in Dante Controller.

NOTE

If redundancy is being used, secondary interfaces should be connected to a second separate network. Secondary interfaces cannot communicate with primary interfaces.

Device Management over the audio network

This configuration is exemplary to illustrate the possibility to integrate the management data that is used to control the host device into the audio network.
Introduction

set the switch configuration to ‘Switched’
connect the MGMT port of the device with Port 2 of the DANTE.IO
connect the DANTE network to Port 1 of the DANTE.IO
connect the DANTE network to Port 3 of the DANTE.IO (if needed)

DANTE.IO – Firmware Update

The device can be updated either via the:

online procedure using the ‘Dante Updater’ which is integrated in the latest version of ‘Dante Controller’.
offline procedure using an update file and ‚Dante Firmware Update Manager‘

WARNING

It is strongly recommended to backup the device configuration before running any update.

Online Procedure

Open Dante Controller
Menu: View – Dante Updater (CMD-U)
Select device to update and click ‘Update Selected Devices’
Confirm and take your time until the update procedure has finished.
Mark the updated device for reboot and click ‘Reboot Selected Devices’.
After Reboot the Updater will report the Update Status.

Offline Procedure

Download the update file from the product page at www.directout.eu.
Open ‚Dante Firmware Update Manager‘ and follow the instructions. https://www.audinate.com/products/firmware-update-manager