Network Components
Linn's digital media products (collectively referred to as Linn DS below) use standard IP networking for audio distribution and control. The recommended specification for all networking components is outlined below. For any given installation, the fundamental mode of operation needs to be chosen prior to purchasing network equipment, based on the number of Linn DS to be interconnected.
For Linn DS systems, if you wish to share audio from one Linn DS (sender) to more than five other Linn DS products, you need to set the Linn network for multicast filtering, which will require higher-grade network equipment.
We have a list of suggested Ethernet products, but would advise that you speak to a Network Specialist regarding this subject to specify the Ethernet devices for your specific system.
If you only want to share a Linn DS to up to five other Linn DS rooms, this will use unicast communications, which can be achieved with consumer-grade network equipment (e.g. 100BaseT or better devices as listed below).
For an installation operating in large-scale mode, each piece of network equipment below needs to satisfy its higher specifications, respectively; a single substandard component could disrupt the whole system.
Contents
DHCP server
The DHCP server supplies an IP address on request from the DHCP clients. This functionality is usually provided by a router in the network. For this network component, no distinction exists w.r.t. small- or large-scale mode of operation.
We recommend the Netgear RP614 router for this task.
Ethernet Switch
The Ethernet switch is the connection point for all other components on the network, allowing them to communicate with each other.
Large-scale Mode
For installations using Songcast to more than five Linn DS, you need to deploy managed switches.
We have a list of suggested Ethernet products, but would advise that you ask a Network Specialist to specify the Ethernet devices for your particular system.
 Recommended Ethernet Switches
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Small-scale Mode
- Linn recommends a dedicated, stand-alone switch. Switches built into consumer-grade ADSL routers, cable modems, or wireless access points tend to be too limited. The processing power of such devices is often shared between its various functions and is therefore not always capable of full performance.
- 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps full duplex switch.
- Must be capable of fully utilising all ports simultaneously. On vendors' specification pages this is sometimes listed as "switch backplane" or "switch bandwidth". (For an 8-port 100 Mbps switch, this switch bandwidth should be 1.6 Gbps. This number comes from 100 Mbps in, plus 100 Mbps out, times 8 ports. For a 16-port gigabit switch, the switch bandwidth would be 32 Gbps = 2*1000*16 Mbps.)
Wireless Access Point (WAP)
The WAP connects the wireless control point to the network.
Recommended WAPs
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Linn recommends using a stand-alone wireless access point, regardless of small- or large-scale mode of operation. Wireless access points built into switches and other consumer-grade products are frequently of lower quality.
See also the D-Link 3200 setup procedure.
Requirements:
- "Enterprise grade"
- Wireless G
- Robust connection quality
and optionally
- Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Ethernet over Power Mains
These adaptors allow you to broadcast Ethernet traffic over mains electricity wiring.
For Davaar family systems, Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors may reduce the number of rooms that can listen to a Songcast Linn DS (see explanation)
If you do wish to use Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors, Linn recommends the following HomeplugAV devices:
- Solwise NET-PL-200-AV-PIGGY/PUSH
- Develo 200AVeasy Starter Kit (x2)
Media Server
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Media Server Requirements
- UPnP AV 1.0 certified
- FLAC support
and preferably
- easy installation on the NAS
- Album Art support
The recommended Twonky4 Media Server licence can be purchased.
Within the Twonky settings, put the RESCAN time to "0" (zero). If you want to add any music, create the desktop link http://your_NAS_IP:8100/rpc/rescan for the Netgear ReadyNAS or
http://your_NAS_IP:9000/rpc/rescan for other devices.
This will force Twonky to scan the media only when you ask it explicitly.
NAS
Recommended Standard NAS
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A NAS stores your music and makes it accessible over the network.
Control Point
Wireless control point
The wireless control point provides the user interface (via the Linn GUI) for accessing music and controlling playback. The device can be either a UMPC (ultra-mobile PC), Internet Tablet, or a standard computer/laptop.
The Linn GUI runs on .NET 2.0
Minimum requirements:
UMPC
- 800 x 480 screen resolution
- 600 MHz processor or faster (800 MHz preferred)
- .NET 2.0
- Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC edition 2005
Windows PC/laptop
- Windows XP Professional 2002
- 800 MHz processor or faster
- .NET 2.0
Specific UMPCs tested by Linn:
Samsung Q1 (NP-Q1/V000/SUK), (NP-Q1/M02/SUK), (NP-Q1/S000/SUK), (NP-Q1/UF000/SUK) running Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC edition 2005, Version 2002 and Service Pack 2
ASUS Notebook R2H Series, 1GB RAM, 900 MHz Celeron-M, running Windows Vista Home Premium
Specific Internet Tablets tested by Linn:
- Nokia N800/N810 (running Media Streamer). The N800 must run Nokia's OS2008 firmware.
