Standard IP Setup
17 April 2010, 08:15 by Chad Reynoldson
I’d like to point out the benefits of a “standardized IP setup” for an AMX control systems. This way, I’ll deliver AMX workspaces with the correct IP assignment and mappings so that it is easier to load. It will also be easier to connect laptops to the system. My suggestions below account for scalability and are typical for a commercial project where the control system network is isolated from the customer’s IP network.
IP assignments and other settings
- Always assign the netlinx master a static IP of 192.168.1.201.
- Check out this previous post for more details on IP assignment.
- If you do decide to change it from above, let me know and I can update the workspace so that I can send updates with the corrected IP information.
- The WAP is generally assigned a static IP.
- The AMX NXA-WAP250G comes defaulted to 192.168.1.240 (Admin/1988).
- The Linksys WAP54G comes defaulted to 192.168.1.245 (admin/admin).
- With touch panels:
- Let the touch panels stay dynamic (DHCP).
- Configure the touch panels to connect to the netlinx master via “URL Mode” and point the panels back to the static IP of the netlinx master (Panel Setup>Protected Setup>System Connection>Master Connection).
- Always install a router that has a built-in DHCP server.
- This will allow us to connect our laptops to the system without messing with static IP assignments.
- This will allow our touch panels to connect dynamically (less setup on the touch panels and when we have lots of panels, this saves us time).
- Always count the number of wired ethernet connections you’ll need.
- You’ll always need at least 1 to connect the netlinx master.
- You may need 1 port for a WAP (AMX NXA-WAP250G, Linksys WAP54G).
- You may find it easier to support if you add other AV equipment that is ethernet enabled to the local network.
- I’ve found that 8 wired ethernet ports is a good minimum target.
Some suggested combinations for localized 10/100 ethernet networking
- AMX NXA-WAP250G with Linksys EZXS88W
- You get a local DHCP server (via the WAP).
- You get wireless ethernet with WPA and WPA2 encryption.
- The WAP is stand-alone so it could be remoted out of the equipment rack.
- With wireless panels, it will work out of the box (though we will want to tweak it).
- You add on an 8 port switch for wired connections.
- Default settings:
- AMX NXA-WAP250G (username: Admin, password: 1988)
- Linksys EZXS88W (no settings)
- Linksys BEFSR81 with Linksys WAP54G
- You get a local DHCP server (via the router).
- You get wireless ethernet with WPA encryption.
- The WAP is stand-alone so it could be remoted out of the equipment rack.
- You get 8 wired ethernet ports (via the router).
- Default settings:
- Linksys BEFSR81 (username:
, password: admin) - Linksys WAP54G (username: admin, password: admin)
- Linksys BEFSR81 (username:
Customer Coordination
- Always coordinate and design the IP setup before going onsite.
- Always coordinate with the customer on your intentions of implementing wireless ethernet.
- It may be better to use the customer’s infrastructure. In which case, all we need to do is:
- Ask the customer to place a switch in or near the A/V rack. Be sure you know how many ports to ask for.
- Get a static IP for the netlinx master.
- Get the wireless settings (SSID, encryption type, encryption key) and verify the encryption type is supported by your wireless panels.
- Give them MAC addresses of the equipment that we will add to their network. Don’t forget about the MAC address of your laptop.
I can help you with the IP coordination and setup. if you give me the make/model of the ethernet routers/waps that you intend on using, I can create a nice layout in Visio and provide a document with the details needed to coordinate with the customer.
This is a lot of information. If you’d like to discuss it, give me a call. I spend a lot of time in support of local a/v networks, wireless issues, and connectivity problems. A good plan ahead of time can remove most of these problems.
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