Disclaimer!

These instructions apply only to 2G Series systems. For new Omega, Ultra, and Maxcolor Series systems with single-VLAN requirements, see the guidelines for Single VLAN Multicast Switching with Omega Ultra and MaxColor Series.

Overview

VLAN Switching is one of the most powerful Just Add Power features, setting it apart from other Video-over-IP platforms. It uses port-based VLANs to dynamically manage traffic flow, isolating each video stream on its own VLAN. This removes the overhead of IGMP management, allowing the switch to perform its simplest function — forwarding packets efficiently. JADConfig programs the switch automatically for VLAN Switching.

However, in some installations — such as integrating with an existing network in a school or enterprise — creating a dedicated VLAN for every stream may not be practical. In these situations, placing all Just Add Power devices in a single VLAN can simplify integration. In this setup, source switching is handled by modifying the Decoder’s multicast IP (its Channel), rather than reconfiguring VLAN assignments on the switch.

Multicast Switching is the method used for all Just Add Power devices are within a single VLAN. Each Encoder is assigned a unique multicast IP — referred to as a Channel — and each Decoder is configured to the Channel of the Encoder it should display. Channel assignments are made via Telnet commands. Switching performance will not be as seamless as VLAN Switching, but it is reliable and suitable for smaller or less latency-sensitive environments.

Requirements

• One dedicated VLAN for all Just Add Power devices
• All devices within the same subnet
• 150 Mbps dedicated bandwidth per Encoder
• IGMP Snooping support on the network switch
• Firmware A5.3.1 or A6.5.9 on all devices

Limitations

• Relies on switch CPU resources
• Requires manual switch configuration
• Requires manual setup of each Just Add Power device
• Supports a maximum of 16 sources

Benefits

• No switch CLI access required
• Works on almost any managed network
• Simple TCP/Telnet command syntax for custom drivers

Setup

1. Ensure all devices are on the same firmware version and have unique management IP addresses within the same subnet.
2. Assign a unique Channel number ($ChannelNumber = 1–16) to each Encoder via Telnet:
   

   channel $ChannelNumber

3. Assign a starting Channel number ($ChannelNumber = 1–16) to each Decoder via Telnet:
   

   channel $ChannelNumber

4. Configure the managed network switch:

• Allow multicast traffic in the range:

  225.0.100.0 – 225.0.101.111

• Enable IGMP Snooping
• Enable IGMP Immediate-Leave (Fast-Leave)

Control

1. Telnet to the Decoder’s management IP address.
2. Send the following command, replacing $ChannelNumber with the Channel number of the Encoder to display:
   

   channel $ChannelNumber

Diagnostics

To check the current Channel setting on a Decoder:

1. Send the command:

   astparam dump

2. Look for the line:

   ch_select= $ChannelNumber

3. $ChannelNumber represents the Channel in binary (0000 = Channel 1, 1111 = Channel 16).

To check the current Channel on an Encoder:

1. Send the command:

   astparam dump

2. Look for the line:

   hostname_id= $ChannelNumber

3. $ChannelNumber represents the Channel in binary (0000 = Channel 1, 1111 = Channel 16).