Overview

This article explains how to prepare an established JADConfig multi-switch system for transition to AMP.

Completing the preparation before the scheduled service reduces the amount of work performed while the system is offline and minimizes customer downtime.

Complete the following two tasks before scheduling the on-site transition:

1. Complete a System Inventory
2. Prepare the Control System Update

This article ends when both tasks are complete and the required replacement hardware has been acquired. The existing system should remain connected and operational until the scheduled transition begins.

Preparation Video

Watch the following video for an overview of how to inventory an established JADConfig system and prepare its control system update before transitioning to AMP.

The video covers the preparation shared by single- and multi-switch systems. The procedure below includes the additional planning required for a multi-switch AMP system.

Scope

This article applies to an established Just Add Power system that:

• Was configured using JADConfig.
• Uses two or more network switches.
• Will be configured as an AMP Standardized multi-switch system.
• Contains devices supported by the current version of AMP.

Preparation Resources

Use one of the following resources to record the existing system:

Download JADConfig-to-AMP Migration Form

The Migration Form provides one section for each switch and its connected devices. Complete the switch information and every connected device before moving to the next switch.

Gather the following before beginning:

• Labels for the Encoders, Decoders, and their network cables.
• Physical access to the switches and Just Add Power devices.
• The switch login credentials, when available.
• Access to the existing control system project and programmer, when available.

Task 1: Complete a System Inventory

Inventory the system one switch at a time. Complete the switch information and every connected device before moving to the next switch.

Establish the Switch Order

Use the existing switch order when it can be identified. If the existing switch IDs are unavailable, begin with the switch that has the Local or Data Network connection.

1. Assign each existing switch an inventory number beginning with switch 1.

2. Record the physical location and exact model of each switch.

Identify the Network Uplink

Identify and label the existing Local or Data Network connection on switch 1 as Network Uplink. In most JADConfig multi-switch systems, the Network Uplink is connected to port 1.

Verify the connection before labeling it. Do not disconnect or move the Network Uplink during the preparation process.

Inventory the Devices on Each Switch

Complete the Encoders and Decoders connected to the current switch before moving to the next switch. Maintain separate numbering sequences for Encoders and Decoders.

Inventory the Encoders

1. Beginning with the lowest numbered Encoder port on the current switch, identify the connected Encoders in ascending port order.

2. Label each Encoder and its network cable as E1, E2, E3, and so on.

3. For each Encoder:

   • Record its assigned label and current switch port on the Migration Form.
   • Record the connected source in the existing project documentation or separate job notes.

Inventory the Decoders

1. After the Encoders have been recorded, identify the connected Decoders in ascending port order.

2. Label each Decoder and its network cable as D1, D2, D3, and so on.

3. For each Decoder:

   • Record its assigned label and current switch port on the Migration Form.
   • Record the connected display or destination in the existing project documentation or separate job notes.

Continue to the Next Switch

After every Encoder and Decoder on the current switch has been recorded, continue to the next switch. Resume both numbering sequences where the previous switch ended.

For example, if the final devices connected to switch 1 are E6 and D8, begin switch 2 with E7 and D9.

Document Devices with Multiple Connections

Document any device that uses multiple switch ports. Label the device and every network cable connected to it, then record each switch and port connection on the Migration Form.

Evaluate the Existing Switches

Use the completed inventory to determine the number of device connections required on each switch. Include the assigned Encoders, Decoders, and devices that use multiple network connections.

Go to the Switches page and locate the exact model and hardware version of each existing switch. Confirm that each switch is supported by AMP, supports a multi-switch configuration, and provides enough device capacity for its planned assignment.

• Retain an existing switch: If the switch is supported, supports multi-switch operation, and has enough capacity, record its current management IP address, username, and password when available. Check the required firmware version and download any update that will be needed during the scheduled transition.

• Replace an existing switch: If the switch is unsupported, does not support multi-switch operation, or does not have enough capacity, select a supported replacement that fits its planned device assignment. No additional configuration information is required from the existing switch.

If the login information for a retained switch is unavailable, the switch can be returned to factory defaults during the scheduled transition. Do not reset any switch while completing the system inventory.

Complete the Multi-Switch Plan

Use the completed inventory to plan the switches and connections required for the AMP system.

1. Confirm that every retained or replacement switch supports an AMP Standardized multi-switch configuration.

2. Confirm that all switches in the planned AMP system are from the same manufacturer.

3. Confirm that each switch supports enough device connections for:

   • The assigned Decoders.
   • The assigned Encoders.
   • Devices that require multiple switch ports.
   • Any planned future Encoders or Decoders.

4. Assign the planned AMP switch IDs:

   • Switch 1 receives the Network Uplink.
   • Each additional switch is assigned a secondary switch ID beginning with switch 2.

5. Record the planned Encoders and Decoders assigned to each switch.

6. Reserve a sequential block of unused management IP addresses beginning with the address planned for switch 1.

7. Record the subnet mask and default gateway that will be used by the switches.

8. Determine the required inter-switch ports, SFP+ modules, and cables.

Review Multi-Switch Considerations for AMP Standardized Systems when planning the switch hardware and inter-switch connections.

Acquire the Required Hardware

Acquire the following before scheduling the on-site transition:

• Every required replacement switch.
• Any required switch firmware files.
• The required SFP+ modules, DAC cables, or fiber connections.
• Any additional hardware identified while completing the system plan.

Label each replacement switch with its planned AMP switch ID and physical location. A previously configured replacement switch may be returned to factory defaults while it is isolated from the existing system.

Do not connect replacement switches to the existing Network Uplink, inter-switch connections, or Just Add Power devices.

Plan for Retained Luxul Stack Members

If supported Luxul switches from an existing stack will remain in the AMP system, their existing stack settings must be removed before beginning the AMP Build New workflow.

At the beginning of the scheduled on-site service, follow Remove Luxul Stack Settings Before Building an AMP System.

Task 2: Prepare the Control System Update

Prepare the control system changes before the scheduled transition. Do not deploy the updated program to the active system yet.

The final device and network addresses will be available in the AMP Report File after the AMP system is configured.

1. Prepare the Static Route

A static route was optional in a JADConfig system but is required for the control system to communicate with the AMP Device Network.

• Record the router model.
• Obtain the router login credentials when available.
• Review the available routing options in Static Routing.
• Plan to apply the final network values provided in the AMP Report File.

2. Prepare the AMP-Compatible Switching Driver

• Record the control system manufacturer and platform.
• Identify the installed Just Add Power switching driver or plugin.
• Obtain the AMP-compatible version of the driver from Control System Integration.
• Prepare the driver to target a Just Add Power device instead of the network switch.

Decoder 1 is the recommended primary target. Prepare a second Just Add Power device as the fallback when the driver supports one. The final device IP addresses will come from the AMP Report File.

3. Prepare the Endpoint-Control Updates

Endpoint-control drivers may remain, but their device IP addresses must be updated using the values applied by AMP.

For each endpoint-control driver or integration, record:

• The controlled source or display.
• The assigned Encoder or Decoder.
• The current device IP address.
• Whether IR, RS232, CEC, or another control method is being used.

Provide the completed Migration Form and the final AMP Report File to the control system programmer. The device labels preserve the existing source-to-display and endpoint-control relationships.

Confirm the Preparation Is Complete

The system is ready to be scheduled for on-site service when:

• The Migration Form is complete.
• Every Encoder, Decoder, and associated network cable is labeled.
• The Network Uplink has been identified and labeled.
• Every existing switch has been marked for retention or replacement.
• Every planned switch supports the AMP multi-switch configuration.
• All planned switches are from the same manufacturer.
• The required replacement switches and inter-switch hardware have been acquired.
• The required firmware files are available.
• A sequential block of switch management IP addresses has been reserved.
• The control system update has been prepared but not deployed.
• The Luxul stack-removal procedure has been reviewed when applicable.
• The existing JADConfig system remains connected and operational.

Next Step

Bring the following to the scheduled service:

• The completed Migration Form.
• A Windows PC with the current version of AMP installed and a wired network adapter.
• Every required replacement switch.
• The required switch firmware files.
• The required SFP+ modules and inter-switch cables.
• The prepared control system project.
• The login credentials collected during the inventory.

If supported Luxul switches from an existing stack will be retained, begin the scheduled service by completing Remove Luxul Stack Settings Before Building an AMP System.

After the stack settings have been removed, or if the system does not have retained Luxul stack members, continue to Build a New AMP System on Multiple Switches.