Overview
A Just Add Power system needs sufficient bandwidth at each Encoder and Decoder connection and across every shared network link carrying audio, video, and USB traffic.
This article covers bandwidth planning for Omega Series, Ultra Series, and MaxColor Series systems configured with AMP Standardized Configuration or Alternate Configuration.
Before selecting switches, document the Encoder and Decoder locations, the connections between switches, and the sources that must be available at each location.
Endpoint Links and Shared Uplinks
| Connection | What It Carries | Planning Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Encoder or Decoder endpoint link | Traffic sent or received by the connected device. | Use a Gigabit Ethernet connection and confirm that it negotiates at 1 Gbps. |
| Inter-switch link | Combined traffic forwarded between switches. | Provide enough capacity for all streams crossing that link, additional traffic, and headroom. |
| Standardized Network Uplink port | The connection from the Just Add Power system to the Data Network or control system. | This port has a different role from the inter-switch links carrying video between switches. |
A device connected at 1 Gbps does not have exclusive use of an inter-switch link. Several Encoders can each have a healthy Gigabit Ethernet connection while their combined traffic exceeds the capacity of a shared uplink.
Link speed and congestion are separate issues. An overloaded inter-switch link does not cause an Encoder or Decoder endpoint link to negotiate at 10 or 100 Mbps. Check endpoint link speed and shared uplink capacity separately.
Encoder Stream Bandwidth
Use average Encoder bandwidth when planning shared uplink capacity. Actual consumption varies with source resolution, frame rate, color space, and content.
| Encoder Series | Average Bandwidth | Planning Allowance per Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Omega Series | 300 Mbps | 0.30 Gbps |
| Ultra Series | 500 Mbps | 0.50 Gbps |
| MaxColor Series | 850 Mbps | 0.85 Gbps |
Omega Series and Ultra Series Encoders can briefly reach 850 Mbps during startup. Use the average figures above for planning, and allow headroom for temporary increases in traffic.
Account for separately transported audio, USB/KVM, and other traffic using the same link. When using measured traffic totals, confirm which services are already included so they are not counted twice.
HDMI signal bandwidth and Ethernet stream bandwidth are different measurements. Do not use an HDMI cable's bandwidth rating as the network bandwidth required by an Encoder.
Configuration Requirements
Standardized Configuration
AMP Standardized Configuration uses VLAN Switching. AMP configures the supported switches and Just Add Power devices.
Multi-switch Standardized systems require supported 10Gb SFP+ interconnects. Follow Multi-Switch Considerations for AMP Standardized Systems for switch compatibility, topology, and interconnect requirements.
A bandwidth calculation does not replace the Standardized hardware requirements. Do not substitute 1Gb RJ45 links or lower-speed aggregated links for the required 10Gb SFP+ interconnects. Preserve the inter-switch port assignments and required switch settings provided by AMP.
Alternate Configuration
AMP Alternate Configuration uses Multicast Switching. AMP configures the Just Add Power devices; the installer or network administrator configures the network.
Provide Gigabit Ethernet endpoint connections and enough capacity throughout the inter-switch path. Select Alternate uplinks according to the calculated traffic, headroom, and network capabilities.
Bandwidth alone does not establish network compatibility. Follow Single VLAN Multicast Switching for the dedicated VLAN, IGMP, multicast filtering, and Jumbo Frame requirements.
On compatible Netgear switches, the Just Add Power AV profile provides Alternate Configuration settings. Uplink capacity must still be planned.
Calculate Inter-Switch Bandwidth
Standardized Configuration
For a multi-switch Standardized system, calculate the combined average bandwidth of all Encoders across all switches. Do not size the inter-switch connections using only the Encoders connected to one switch or the sources currently selected by Decoders.
- Count all Encoders across all switches in the system.
- Identify the average bandwidth for the applicable Encoder series.
- Multiply the total Encoder count by that average bandwidth.
- Select supported switches with enough SFP+ ports to provide the required capacity between neighboring switches after accounting for AMP's inter-switch port allocation.
- Allow headroom and verify utilization on each physical member of the Link Aggregation Group (LAG) during commissioning.
Example: Switch 1 has 10 MaxColor Series Encoders and Switch 2 has another 10. The system has 20 Encoders, with a combined average bandwidth of 20 × 0.85 Gbps = 17 Gbps.
A single 10Gb SFP+ connection is insufficient for this system. Two 10Gb SFP+ connections are required between the switches, providing 20 Gbps of nominal aggregate capacity through the LAG.
Count the entire system. Do not treat the Encoders on each switch as separate bandwidth budgets or use full-duplex capacity to justify a single 10Gb connection in this example.
Account for AMP's Inter-Switch Port Allocation
The number of SFP+ ports on each switch and the number of switches in the system determine how many physical links are available between neighboring switches.
AMP Standardized Configuration allocates half of a switch's SFP+ ports toward one neighboring switch and the other half toward another, allowing switches to connect in a chain topology.
For example, a switch with four 10Gb SFP+ ports provides two connections toward each neighbor. Each pair provides 20 Gbps of nominal aggregate capacity. The switch's four ports do not provide 40 Gbps to each neighbor.
After calculating the combined average bandwidth of all Encoders, confirm that AMP's port allocation provides sufficient capacity between neighboring switches. Select switch models based on the links available per connection, rather than the total SFP+ capacity of an individual switch.
See Multi-Switch Considerations for AMP Standardized Systems for the connection diagram and hardware requirements.
Alternate Configuration
For Alternate Configuration, have the network administrator calculate the traffic that the multicast network forwards across each inter-switch link. Account for all simultaneous streams the system must support, IGMP forwarding behavior, multicast-router ports, and other traffic sharing the physical links.
Do not assume the sources currently selected by Decoders represent the maximum uplink load. When forwarding behavior has not been verified, use the combined average bandwidth of all Encoders as the conservative starting point.
Allow Headroom
Headroom is the capacity left available after accounting for planned traffic. Leave capacity available for temporary traffic increases, additional services, and future expansion rather than sizing a link exactly to the calculated average load.
The amount of headroom needed depends on the source signals, services in use, other traffic sharing the link, and the switch's forwarding behavior. Verify the design using the expected source combinations and actual uplink utilization.
Nominal link speed is not entirely available as application payload. Include Ethernet overhead when evaluating capacity, and check individual LAG members as well as the group total.
Link Aggregation Limitations
A Link Aggregation Group (LAG) combines multiple physical links into one logical connection. Its usable capacity depends on how the switch distributes traffic across the member links.
- Combined capacity is not a single faster link. Two 10Gb members provide up to 20 Gbps of aggregate capacity in each direction, but an individual flow is generally assigned to one member.
- Traffic may be unevenly distributed. Several streams can be assigned to the same member. That member can become congested while another has available capacity.
- Multicast behavior varies. Distribution depends on the switch model, firmware, and hashing method. Confirm the behavior using the manufacturer's documentation and member-port counters.
- A failed member reduces capacity. A LAG can maintain connectivity after a member fails, but the remaining links may not carry the full load. If operation must continue after a failure, plan for the reduced capacity.
For Standardized Configuration, use the LAG arrangement provided by AMP. For Alternate Configuration, have the network administrator confirm that the selected LAG configuration supports the expected multicast traffic.
Verify the Installed System
- Use AMP Gather Details to review device discovery, available device information, and firmware compatibility. Confirm endpoint link speed through the available device information or switch-port status.
- Confirm the negotiated speed of every inter-switch link and the active members of each LAG.
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Verify the planned traffic load:
- Standardized Configuration: Confirm all Encoders across all switches are actively streaming when checking inter-switch utilization.
- Alternate Configuration: Test the maximum expected combination of simultaneous streams across each inter-switch path.
- Include separately selected audio and USB/KVM services where used.
- Observe uplink utilization, individual LAG member utilization, output drops, and interface errors during normal use and source switching. During commissioning, also observe startup behavior.
- Record the tested source combinations, available headroom, and any limits on future expansion.
If video becomes unstable, first determine whether the problem affects one endpoint, several endpoints, or devices sharing an inter-switch path. Resolve endpoint link-speed problems separately from shared uplink congestion.
If the required load exceeds the available capacity, revise the switch selection, device placement, or supported interconnect design before completing the installation.
