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beyond:system_and_networks

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beyond:system_and_networks [2023/10/26 17:35]
Lyra Letournea [Buying and Setting up your PC for success] 		beyond:system_and_networks [2023/11/06 23:43] (current)
Lyra Letournea [Why fames get “delayed” and the cause of "Purple FB4"]
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 We ignored “Gateway” previously, but gateways are basically where your device should contact first, this can assist managed networks to help your data navigate the network the way they want it to. In highly managed networks, you will need to set the gateway, and that will be the IP address of the device managing the data. This could be a “router” in some scenarios, or other devices that manage networks. In a lot of show environments, you won’t need to assign a gateway, but if a gateway is specified for a specific network setup, you will NEED to add the gateway address, or your device won’t be able to connect and communicate. We ignored “Gateway” previously, but gateways are basically where your device should contact first, this can assist managed networks to help your data navigate the network the way they want it to. In highly managed networks, you will need to set the gateway, and that will be the IP address of the device managing the data. This could be a “router” in some scenarios, or other devices that manage networks. In a lot of show environments, you won’t need to assign a gateway, but if a gateway is specified for a specific network setup, you will NEED to add the gateway address, or your device won’t be able to connect and communicate.
  
-===== Basic IP Schedule Example and network layout =====+==== Basic IP Schedule Example and network layout ====
  
 {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows1.png?800|}} {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows1.png?800|}}
 {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows2.png?800|}} {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows2.png?800|}}
  
-===== Setting IP’s on your devices. =====+==== Setting IP’s on your devices. ====
  
 On windows there are two main ways to set your ethernet devices IP, first, and simply in the main windows settings: On windows there are two main ways to set your ethernet devices IP, first, and simply in the main windows settings:
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 {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows5.jpg?200|}} {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows5.jpg?200|}}
  
-===== Types of Data (Packets) =====+Check the [[hardware:fb4:quickstart|FB4 QuickStart Guide]] For more information regarding FB4. 
 + 
 +==== Types of Data (Packets) ====
  
 There are also two main types of data that is sent on these networks, TCP and UDP. When data is sent from one device to another, it is sent in small chunks. These chunks of data are called “packets” these packets can be either TCP or UDP. They are chosen mainly for the biggest difference between them. TCP has guaranteed delivery, while UDP does not. There are also two main types of data that is sent on these networks, TCP and UDP. When data is sent from one device to another, it is sent in small chunks. These chunks of data are called “packets” these packets can be either TCP or UDP. They are chosen mainly for the biggest difference between them. TCP has guaranteed delivery, while UDP does not.
  
-TCP packets are sent from a host device to a client device first by sending the packet, then once the client device receives the packet, it acknowledges the arrival of the packet to the host device, if the host does not receiver an acknowledgement in time, the host retransmits the packet to the client device and the process starts again. As well, the client device can check the integrity of the data using a checksum. +TCP packets are sent from a host device to a client device first by sending the packet, then once the client device receives the packet, it acknowledges the arrival of the packet to the host device, if the host does not receive an acknowledgement in time, the host retransmits the packet to the client device and the process starts again. As well, the client device can check the integrity of the data using a checksum. 
  
 UDP packets are sent from a host device to a client, and there is no guarantee the packet will actually arrive at the client side. UDP packets are sent from a host device to a client, and there is no guarantee the packet will actually arrive at the client side.
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 There are a couple caveats. You will often find protocols that are “Broadcast, Multicast, or unicast” These three options basically mean whether the protocol will be sent out to every single Ip, to multiple specific Ip’s, or one individual Ip. Broadcast usually allows data to get to where it needs to go, but is very wasteful and inefficient, that’s where multi and unicast come into play, allowing the user to decide specific Ip’s and devices to transmit the data to. Most protocols decide the option for you as part of the protocol, while others give you the option. This is part of why people may choose one protocol over another.  There are a couple caveats. You will often find protocols that are “Broadcast, Multicast, or unicast” These three options basically mean whether the protocol will be sent out to every single Ip, to multiple specific Ip’s, or one individual Ip. Broadcast usually allows data to get to where it needs to go, but is very wasteful and inefficient, that’s where multi and unicast come into play, allowing the user to decide specific Ip’s and devices to transmit the data to. Most protocols decide the option for you as part of the protocol, while others give you the option. This is part of why people may choose one protocol over another. 
  
-===== BEYOND’s laser Protocol =====+==== BEYOND’s laser Protocol ====
  
 Now that we know how networks work and how to set them up, lets talk about the peculiarities of our laser control protocol we use in BEYOND and why it leaves us with some unique challenges.  Now that we know how networks work and how to set them up, lets talk about the peculiarities of our laser control protocol we use in BEYOND and why it leaves us with some unique challenges. 
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 Historically, we have utilized TCP for its delivery guarantee, and while there were a few builds that did make it to the public in early 5.0 days to try and utilize UDP we did revert back to TCP and BEYOND has used TCP for the majority of its life. This has many benefits and drawbacks as you see from the next section of this document. This choice is not final however, and we have continued to do testing and experimentation with UDP instead. And it may very well make it into future versions if deemed more reliable. For the average user. Of course, if the rest of your network is solid, it wont really matter, but those nuances are for when things go wrong.  Historically, we have utilized TCP for its delivery guarantee, and while there were a few builds that did make it to the public in early 5.0 days to try and utilize UDP we did revert back to TCP and BEYOND has used TCP for the majority of its life. This has many benefits and drawbacks as you see from the next section of this document. This choice is not final however, and we have continued to do testing and experimentation with UDP instead. And it may very well make it into future versions if deemed more reliable. For the average user. Of course, if the rest of your network is solid, it wont really matter, but those nuances are for when things go wrong. 
  
-===== Why fames get “delayed” =====+==== Why fames get “delayed” and the cause of "Purple FB4" ====
  
 Now most users who have done laser shows will have seen the “purple fb4” notification and may even have heard this means “frame delay”. Now that you know everything from this document from above hopefully you can see how things can get delayed and you get the purple notification. Now most users who have done laser shows will have seen the “purple fb4” notification and may even have heard this means “frame delay”. Now that you know everything from this document from above hopefully you can see how things can get delayed and you get the purple notification.
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   * Network induced delay.   * Network induced delay.
  
-First lets discuss CPU. When BEYOND calculates all the frames for all the projectors in your setup, it live calculates everything, and the process looks something like this:+**First lets discuss CPU**. When BEYOND calculates all the frames for all the projectors in your setup, it live calculates everything, and the process looks something like this:
  
 Cue Frame> Cue effects> Cue Timing> Live FX> Routing> Projection Zone reshape> Projector settings application> Packaging> Delivery Cue Frame> Cue effects> Cue Timing> Live FX> Routing> Projection Zone reshape> Projector settings application> Packaging> Delivery
  
-BEYOND does repeat similar frames, and does some optimization, however when lots of effects, different routings, (or the real challenge), offsetting effects are introduced, this drastically increases the calculation time for output. This leads to your computer not being able to actually calculate every single frame before the cycle time expires and BEYOND needs to start over. This cycle time is important for speed and timing and safety reasons like the previous chapter describes. +BEYOND does repeat similar frames, and does some optimization, however when lots of effects, different routings, (or the real challenge), offsetting effects are introduced, this drastically increases the calculation time for output. This leads cheaper and lower performing computers to not be able to actually calculate every single frame before the cycle time expires and BEYOND needs to start over. This cycle time is important for speed and timing and safety reasons like the previous chapter describes. 
  
 CPU induced delay will often appear in real life in dropout or lag in order of zones. Where the first few lasers in your setup may be running fine but you may not even get any output out of your last few lasers, where it degrades more and more between each end. This is an example of very obvious CPU delay.  CPU induced delay will often appear in real life in dropout or lag in order of zones. Where the first few lasers in your setup may be running fine but you may not even get any output out of your last few lasers, where it degrades more and more between each end. This is an example of very obvious CPU delay. 
  
-Secondly, network induced delay. This is when data makes it out of BEYOND, but doesn’t make it to the laser controllers before the “display time” they are expecting the frame by. This could mean it failed the TCp-IP check, it could mean it never received anything, or it could mean it was receiving the data when the time elapsed. Either way the data didn’t make it in time, and the fame it was expecting (or if it got it late) has expired. Of course, frames need to expire for the speed and timing and safety concerns from before. +**Secondly, network induced delay.** This is when data makes it out of BEYOND, but doesn’t make it to the laser controllers before the “display time” they are expecting the frame by. This could mean it failed the TCp-IP check, it could mean it never received anything, or it could mean it was receiving the data when the time elapsed. Either way the data didn’t make it in time, and the fame it was expecting (or if it got it late) has expired. Of course, frames need to expire for the speed and timing and safety concerns from before. 
  
 Network induced delay is a little more complicated because it can be many factors at play, but lets talk about the general steps data has to make it through, and the common reasons that part can cause issues. Network induced delay is a little more complicated because it can be many factors at play, but lets talk about the general steps data has to make it through, and the common reasons that part can cause issues.
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 {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows6.png?800|}} {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows6.png?800|}}
 +
  
 ===== Buying and Setting up your PC for success ===== ===== Buying and Setting up your PC for success =====
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 Sometimes, you may need to do driver-based adjustments, including disabling “Jumbo Frames”, “Energy Efficient Ethernet” and other driver level features. Found in this chain: Sometimes, you may need to do driver-based adjustments, including disabling “Jumbo Frames”, “Energy Efficient Ethernet” and other driver level features. Found in this chain:
  
-{{:beyond:networkingforlasershows7.png?800|}}+{{:beyond:how_to_configure_network_adapters_in_windows.png?800}}
  
 {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows8.png?400|}} {{:beyond:networkingforlasershows8.png?400|}}
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 These can be achieved utilizing .bat files you can find online but proceed with caution and do your own research on that, you can very much install viruses or completely ruin your install/ break your driver if done incorrectly so I will not be providing documentation, or bat files. If this seems like something you want to do, research it.  These can be achieved utilizing .bat files you can find online but proceed with caution and do your own research on that, you can very much install viruses or completely ruin your install/ break your driver if done incorrectly so I will not be providing documentation, or bat files. If this seems like something you want to do, research it. 
  
-===== Choosing network gear for success =====+==== Choosing network gear for success ====
  
 As a laser technician and not a networking engineer, there are probably two choices you should consider when purchasing networking equipment. As a laser technician and not a networking engineer, there are probably two choices you should consider when purchasing networking equipment.
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 If you don’t want to break the bank, your best choice is to grab high performance unmanaged networking equipment, unfortunately these are few and far between as generally those who need high performance, like to play around and create unique settings, but for most show production technicians, they just want to plug it in and for it to work. It can be tempting to purchase low grade and consumer level networking gear for home networks like cheaper TP-Link, or Netgear for example. Especially because “FB4 only has 100mbps on it anyway!!”. but instead, you should purchase something like [[https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/business-110-series-unmanaged-switches/index.html|Cisco’s small business unmanaged series]].  If you don’t want to break the bank, your best choice is to grab high performance unmanaged networking equipment, unfortunately these are few and far between as generally those who need high performance, like to play around and create unique settings, but for most show production technicians, they just want to plug it in and for it to work. It can be tempting to purchase low grade and consumer level networking gear for home networks like cheaper TP-Link, or Netgear for example. Especially because “FB4 only has 100mbps on it anyway!!”. but instead, you should purchase something like [[https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/business-110-series-unmanaged-switches/index.html|Cisco’s small business unmanaged series]]. 
  
-These devices are not that much higher price, but have the CPU built in to handle the amount of data, and low latency requirements of our industry. You can find similar products from other industry brands like Mikrotik, Netgear, TP-link, Zyxel and more. +These devices are not that much higher price, but have the CPU built in to handle the amount of data, and low latency requirements of our industry. You can find similar products from other industry brands like: 
 + 
 +  - [[https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/business-110-series-unmanaged-switches/index.html|Cisco]] (Our Favorite) 
 +  - [[https://www.netgear.com/business/wired/switches/unmanaged/gs110mx/|Netgear]] 
 +  - [[https://store.zyxel.com/xgs1010-12-zz0101f.html|Zyxel]] 
 +  - [[https://www.tp-link.com/us/business-networking/unmanaged-switch/|TP-Link]]
  
-===== Show Production Specific Networking Equipment =====+==== Show Production Specific Networking Equipment ====
  
 If you have more money to spend, and are looking to do some V-Lans, and make things a bit easier for yourself, then there are several companies who build and sell switches designed to do this. Some of the more popular ones are: If you have more money to spend, and are looking to do some V-Lans, and make things a bit easier for yourself, then there are several companies who build and sell switches designed to do this. Some of the more popular ones are:
  
-   - Luminex +   - [[https://www.luminex.be/|Luminex]] 
-   - ProPlex +   - [[https://www.proplex.com/gbs-network-switches|ProPlex]] 
-   - Swisson +   - [[https://www.swisson.com/en/products/data-distribution/|Swisson]] 
-   - Pathport+   - [[https://pathway.acuitybrands.com/|Pathway]]
    
 Their products aren’t cheap but do provide enterprise quality networking equipment while making it plug and play and easy for most show production professionals to set up and use quickly and easily. They also usually include pre-sets for common industry protocols to ensure the data is most efficiently transmitted.  Their products aren’t cheap but do provide enterprise quality networking equipment while making it plug and play and easy for most show production professionals to set up and use quickly and easily. They also usually include pre-sets for common industry protocols to ensure the data is most efficiently transmitted. 
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 ===== Appendix Situations: ===== ===== Appendix Situations: =====
  
-  * If you have found yourself with a laptop with a killer ethernet port, you will need to not only utilize a USB ethernet device to not use the killer port, you will also need to format your windows computer to remove all piece of the software, as it will try and manage other non-killer ports you attach to your pc.+  * If you have found yourself with a laptop with a killer ethernet port, you will need to not only utilize a USB ethernet device to not use the killer port, you will also need to format your windows computer to remove all pieces of the software, as it will try and manage other non-killer ports you attach to your pc.
       * It is possible to massage killer ports into functioning fine, but to be honest its not worth the trouble and its just easier and cheaper to purchase a separate device.       * It is possible to massage killer ports into functioning fine, but to be honest its not worth the trouble and its just easier and cheaper to purchase a separate device.
       * If BEYOND stream changes to UDP, Killer ports will actually become the best ports to use, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but important to understand.        * If BEYOND stream changes to UDP, Killer ports will actually become the best ports to use, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing, but important to understand. 
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-LINK+Okay, I'll admit, we haven't done this yet, a link will magically appear at some point in the future when this gets setup. 
  
  
beyond/system_and_networks.1698334505.txt · Last modified: 2023/10/26 17:35 by Lyra Letournea

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