Ethernet Networking Best Practices for Xilica Products

Xilica networked audio solutions use standard Ethernet protocols for configuration, communication, and control, along with audio over Ethernet via Dante®. Within a single Xilica system, these protocols allow multiple devices to share control data, DSP resources, and networked audio — creating a unified system experience regardless of scale. The standard networking foundation behind Xilica audio solutions ensures inherent scalability and futureproofing as AV over IT continues to evolve.

Xilica devices utilize Ethernet differently depending on their role in your system:

• Solaro Series processors feature two isolated ports — a LAN port handling all communication with Xilica Designer and third-party devices, and a separate Dante® port managing audio networking. No traffic crosses between these ports within the processor. Depending on your network strategy, you can maintain separation or implement a converged network.

• Networked-audio endpoints like Gio Series feature a single Ethernet port shared for both control and Dante® audio. Despite sharing one physical connection, you can assign individual IP settings to separate control from Dante® traffic.

• Control interfaces like XT80 and Lucia use Ethernet exclusively for control communication.

All Xilica device LAN ports support both 1Gb and 100Mbps connections. For optimal performance, including auto-discovery and third-party communication, ensure your network allows communication on:

• TCP port 19150 — Main control connection (unicast)

• TCP port 19151 — Data subscription/update (unicast)

• TCP port 19152 — Inter-device TCP connection (unicast)

• UDP port 19153 — Device heartbeat and auto-discovery (UDP broadcast)

• TCP port 10007 — Third-party control TCP connection (unicast)

• UDP port 10008 — Third-party control UDP connection (UDP broadcast)

All Xilica network devices use standard Layer 3 Ethernet communication, ensuring compatibility with all managed and unmanaged network switches.

Standard PoE Devices (IEEE 802.3af, Class 0):

• Solaro QR1 audio processor

• Gio Series Network Endpoints

• XT80 Touch Controller

• Lucia Wall Controller

1. Disable Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) power-saving features on network switches to prevent communication disruptions.

2. Use properly-terminated Cat5e or better cabling, verified with a network cable tester.

3. Connect all control ports within your Xilica system to the same subnet, preferably to the same physical switch.

4. Connect your Xilica Designer computer to the same subnet as the device control ports. Use a hardwired connection whenever possible (required for Dante® integration).

5. Ensure Xilica Designer is allowed through your computer's firewall and antivirus software.

6. Initial setup: Use DHCP for automatic IP allocation (factory default). Once communication is established, you can assign static IP addresses if needed.

7. When using third-party control, assign static IP addresses during commissioning to ensure reliable communication.

1. Disable any Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) features on network switches.

2. Keep Dante traffic below 70% of total bandwidth on any network link.

3. Use gigabit switches for optimal performance (Xilica devices use gigabit (FR1) and 100Mbps (QR1) Dante cards).

4. Connect all Dante® ports to the same network segment, subnet, or VLAN. Note that Dante does not work over Wi-Fi.

5. Ensure your network supports unicast and multicast UDP traffic for Dante® audio distribution.

6. Enable DHCP on your Dante® network for simpler configuration.

7. For 100Mbps or mixed networks, enable QoS with strict priority. (Not required for Dante®-only gigabit networks.)

For more detailed information on Dante® audio networking, please see:

Dante® Information for Network Administrators 

Adding Dante® to Your Network 

Dante® Network Ports 

Dante® Domain Manager