Support Hub
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Programming & Configuration
  • Ethernet networking best practices for Xilica products
  • Products
    • Solaro Series
        • Licensing an unlicensed Xilica Solaro device
        • Using the Xilica Solaro FR1/QR1 at 96k sample rate
        • Factory resetting Solaro series devices
        • Updating XC-SUB Firmware
        • Understanding phantom power limitations with Xilica Solaro and Gio products
        • Sourcing the original Solaro QR1 external DC power supply
        • Understanding the Solaro QR1/QR1-UC fan and temperature readings
        • Summing or mixing channels pre-AEC
        • Performing a Solaro, Gio or Sonia firmware update
        • Compatibility of PoE power delivery devices for Xilica products
        • Monitoring and managing Solaro DSP device resource usage
        • Loading a pre-designed template to a Xilica Solaro device
        • Password Protecting a Solaro DSP
        • Dante routes disappear after loading the Xilica design to devices
        • Understanding Dante channels and Flows for Xilica hardware
        • Exporting system programming from Xilica hardware
        • Programming a Xilica system's power-on state
        • Enabling Dante audio IO for the Xilica FR1-D and Xilica QR1 DSPs
        • Device status indicators for Xilica Gio Bluetooth
        • Troubleshoot a boot-cycling/looping Solaro QR1/FR1
        • Can I add Dante to an existing FR1?
        • Xilica HearClear™ AEC parameters & specifications
        • Enabling and retrieving a diagnostic log file for Solaro devices
        • Downloading the diagnostic test result from a Xilica Solaro device
        • Preset trigger methods in a Solaro system
    • Sonia Series
        • Xilica Gio/Sonia support for static Dante IP addressing
        • Accessing EASE files for the Sonia C5 Speaker
        • Factory resetting the Xilica Sonia Amp
        • Daisy-chaining Sonia C5 Speakers
        • Sonia Amp Loudspeaker Compatibility
        • Sonia Amp Speaker Channel Indicators
        • Troubleshooting no audio through Sonia Speakers
        • Configuring Sonia Amp's Power Management Feature
        • Maximum cable length between Sonia Amp and Sonia C5 loudspeakers
        • Sonia Amp Power Output
        • Xilica API for third-party control of Solaro, Gio, Sonia, Neutrino & Uno devices
    • Gio Series
        • Xilica Gio/Sonia support for static Dante IP addressing
        • Troubleshooting a USB audio connection to the Xilica USB card (XC-SUB) or Gio USB network endpoint
        • Factory resetting Xilica Gio series devices
        • Controlling the Xilica Gio series products with a third-party control system
        • Programming third-party control of a Xilica system
        • Controlling Xilica Gio devices from XTouch or a third-party control system
        • Configuring Xilica Gio USB in the Designer software
        • Configuring Xilica Gio XLR's Dante networked audio
        • Configuring Xilica Gio USB's Dante networked audio
        • Configuring Gio Bluetooth's Dante networked audio
    • User Interfaces
        • Factory resetting the Xilica Lucia push-button rotary encoder
        • Handling TCP connection errors between a Xilica controller and a third-party device
        • Controlling multiple parameters simultaneously with Xilica XTouch, Lucia or XWP
        • Programming the Lucia wall panel controller
        • Managing XTouch panel resolution
        • Using Lucia’s Advanced Mode
        • Xilica XT80 touch panel network adapter capabilities and limitations
        • Creating radio-buttons on a Xilica XTouch control panel in Xilica Designer
        • Navigating between pages on a Xilica XTouch control panel
        • Create Custom GUI's in XTouch
    • Software Downloads
        • Download Xilica XTouch control app
        • Xilica Solaro (FR1/QR1) recovery firmware and instructions
        • Download the latest version of Xilica Designer
        • Accessing the configuration software for Neutrino & Uno devices
    • Customer Experience
        • Download the latest version of Xilica Designer
        • Mainboard BIOS firmware instructions and download for Xilica Solaro (FR1/QR1)
        • Download the Xilica USB driver for mainboard and recovery firmware updates
        • Download Xilica DLP/DCP/DSPX firmware
        • Download Xilica Uno template files
        • Download X Series (XP, XD, XA) firmware
        • Resetting the password for an XSeries device
        • Connecting to a Xilica system from a host computer on a different network segment
        • Download the XLink software for Xilica DLP/DCP/DSPX devices
        • Xilica end-of-life product listing
        • Xilica X Series hardware & software management
        • The Xilica Rio 1616N loses its Dante static IP address
        • Xilica Neutrino, Uno, Rio Dante device names revert to default
        • Release Notes for Designer 4.9
        • Assigning a static IP address to a Xilica Rio control port
    • Programming & Configuration
        • Download the latest version of Xilica Designer
        • Download the Xilica XConsole software for X Series devices
        • Download-Project-Backup-File option is missing
        • Handling a Dante system fatal error in Xilica Designer
        • Gio Bluetooth configurable settings in Xilica Designer
        • Creating and managing presets in the Xilica Designer software
        • Setting up mute sync between a Xilica Solaro processor and a UC app such as Teams or Zoom
        • Activating the Xilica HearClear™ AEC license for a Solaro FR1 or QR1
        • Validating or troubleshooting third-party control commands to Xilica's API
        • Ethernet networking best practices for Xilica products
        • Integrating Aver® PTZ camera control with Xilica Solaro solutions
        • Integrating Lumens® PTZ camera control with Xilica Solaro solutions
        • Integrating the Shure® MXA920™ microphone with Xilica Solaro solutions
        • Integrating the Sennheiser® TeamConnect Ceiling 2™ with Xilica Solaro solutions
        • Release notes for Designer 4.8
        • Handling a "signal loop" error in the Xilica Designer software
        • Handling Network View error messages in the Xilica Designer software
        • Download the Xilica API for third-party control of Solaro, Gio, Sonia, Neutrino & Uno devices
        • Using multiple Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 micophones with the Solaro QR1/QR1-UC
        • Determining your host computer's IP address for Designer software communication
        • Scheduling presets in a Solaro system for a specific time/date
        • Managing, saving, and transferring Designer files (.pjxml & .sxml)
        • Loading a pre-designed template to a Xilica Solaro device
        • Exporting a blueprint of a system design from Xilica Designer software
        • Configuring Xilica Gio XLR in the Designer software
        • Configuring Xilica Dante networked audio
        • Troubleshooting Dante in the Xilica Designer Software
        • Xilica Designer software updates
        • Control Panel update is required for continued operation warning
        • Partitioning a Xilica Designer Project file
        • Loading a Project File design to device(s) and going live with a system
        • Handling a "Load Config" error in the Xilica Designer software
        • Creating User-defined devices in Xilica Designer's Project View
        • Preserving run-time parameter settings when exporting the Project File (.pjxml) from hardware
        • Exporting system programming from Xilica hardware
        • Exporting third-party control information from the Xilica Designer software
        • Using the CueCore2 Lua driver in Xilica Designer for lighting control
        • Password protecting a Solaro project file
        • Xilica ACC-POE-95W PoE injector power and data specifications
        • Lua Engine information and resources for third-party device driver creation in the Xilica Designer platform
        • Understanding carriage returns for control of third-party devices from Xilica Designer
        • Xilica Room Templates with Follow Me Auto Camera Preset Recall

    Ethernet networking best practices for Xilica products

    Back to Programming & Configuration

    Xilica networked audio solutions utilize standard Ethernet networking protocols for configuration, communication, and control, as well as audio over Ethernet via Dante®. Within a single Xilica system, these standard protocols allow for many devices to share control data, DSP resources, and networked audio – effectively enabling a system comprised of many devices to function as one unified system. The standard networking protocols behind a Xilica audio solution allow for inherent scalability and futureproofing as the world of AV over IT expands.

    Port Configuration 

    Although all Xilica devices utilize Ethernet for control and networked audio, the port configurations differ: 

    • Solaro Series audio processors utilize two physically and logically isolated ports, with the LAN port handling all communication with Xilica Designer configuration software and third-party devices, while the Dante® port handles audio networking using the Dante® protocol. No traffic is shared between these two ports within the Solaro processor. However, depending on your network and how a system is designed and deployed, network traffic of the Ethernet control port and the Dante audio port may be maintained as two separated networks, or merged together on a converged network. 
    • Networked-audio endpoints such as Gio Series and Sonia amp use a single Ethernet port that’s shared for both control and Dante® networked audio. Though shared on one physical port, individual IP settings can be assigned to LAN control vs. Dante®.
    • Control interfaces such as XT80 and Lucia do not incorporate Dante®, and only provide control communication over Ethernet. 

    Ethernet Communication 

    The LAN ports on all Xilica devices support both 1Gb and 100Mbps links. For proper operation of Xilica devices, including auto-discovery and third-party communication, please ensure your network allows communication on the following ports: 

    • 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)

    Network Device Compatibility 

    Communication 

    All Xilica network devices utilize standard Layer 3 Ethernet communication, and therefore are compatible with all managed and unmanaged network switches. 

    Power-over-Ethernet 

    The following products are powered over the network using standard PoE (IEEE 802.3af, Class 0), and Xilica has not noted any compatibility issues with standard PoE network switches or PoE injectors. 

    • Solaro QR1 audio processor 
    • Gio Series Network Endpoints 
    • XT80 Touch Controller 
    • Lucia Wall Controller 

    Sonia Amp is powered by PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at, Type 2) and PoE++ (IEEE 802.3bt Type 3 and 4). The application of IEEE 802.3at and 802.3bt is not as consistent across networked power devices such as network switches and PoE injectors. As a result, Xilica continues to verify operation of Sonia Amp with various manufacturers, and highly recommends the use of Netgear M4250 series switches for optimal results. For a list of other verified PoE+/PoE++ enabled network switches and injectors, please see: Compatibility of PoE power delivery devices for Xilica products

    General Network Configuration Best Practices 

    1. Disable any EEE (energy efficient ethernet) power-saving features in the network switches as these features can disrupt system communication.
    2. Ensure all CAT cables used for interconnects are at least Cat5e and confirmed terminated correctly by testing them with a network cable tester/certifier.
    3. Connect the Ethernet control port of all Xilica devices within the system, including any native or third-party control devices, to the same network subnet – preferably to the same physical switch or switch stack.
    4. Connect the host computer running the Xilica Designer software to the same subnet as the devices’ Ethernet control ports. A hardwired connection from the host computer to the network is preferred. When hardwired, disable the computer’s WIFI. A hardwire Ethernet connection is required for Dante® information in Xilica Designer. 
    5. Ensure Xilica Designer is allowed through the host computer’s firewall and any antivirus software.
    6. Xilica devices are DHCP-enabled from the factory. For initial setup, ensure that the network is DHCP- enabled so the network server will automatically allocate appropriate IP addresses to all devices 
      in the system. Ensure that the host computer running the Xilica Designer software is also DHCP- enabled. Once communication has been established and all devices are discovered and online in Xilica Designer’s Network View, the devices can then be assigned static IP addresses if needed. If DHCP is not detected by the Xilica devices or host computer while in DHCP mode, then the devices will eventually revert to and establish communication via a link-local IP address in the 169.254.x.x range.
    7. If using a third-party control system, ensure the Xilica devices are ultimately set to static IP addresses when commissioned. If left on DHCP, the device could be allocated a different IP address and break communication with the control system.

    Dante Network Configuration Best Practices 

    1. Disable any EEE (energy efficient ethernet) power-saving features in the network switches as these types of features will disrupt networked audio.
    2. Ensure that Dante traffic does not exceed more than 70% of the total bandwidth of any network link.
    3. If using an unmanaged switch, ensure it does not have EEE because on an unmanaged switch it can not be disabled.
    4. Dante®-enabled Xilica devices utilize gigabit (FR1) and 100Mbps (QR1) Dante cards. Unless you have a purely 100Mbps network, we recommend using gigabit switches as best-practice.
    5. CAT5e or CAT6 cable is recommended as best-practice. For purely 100Mbps networks, CAT5 may be used.
    6. Ensure the Dante® port of each device in the system using networked audio is physically connected to the same network segment, subnet, or VLAN. Dante does not work over WIFI.
    7. Ensure your Dante® network supports unicast and multicast UDP for Dante® audio distribution.
    8. Ensure your Dante® network is DHCP-enabled. If it is not DHCP-enabled the Dante® cards of each device will eventually revert to and establish communication via a link-local IP address in the 169.254.x.x subnet. Some (but not all) Dante® devices allow the setting of static IP addresses.
    9. Dante® implements IGMPv3/v2 to assist with multicast management. Support for IGMP is not required in a network – it is in Dante® to make integration into mixed-use networks simpler.
    10. Dante® can utilize DiffServ QoS and will tag packets. Dante®’s tags can be integrated into an existing IT network’s QoS scheme. Ensure QoS with strict priority is enabled for 100Mbps or mixed 1Gbps/100Mbps networks. QoS is not required for Dante®-only, gigabit networks.

    Additional Resources 

    For more detailed information on Dante® audio networking, please see the following resources from Audinate: 

    Dante® Information for Network Administrators 

    Adding Dante® to Your Network 

    Dante® Network Ports 

    Dante® Domain Manager 

    networking practices xilica devices

    Your feedback helps us deliver better content for you. Click here to review this article.

    Get the latest software
    Access legacy software

    Need further assistance? Simply reach out to us with your query.

    contact customer support
    • Privacy
    • Terms of Use
    • AdChoices & Cookies
    Copyright 2024 Xilica Corporation

    Knowledge Base Software powered by Helpjuice

    Back to Top
    Expand