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 the networking products is outlined below.
Contents
Network Topology
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 Products network for Multicast filtering
We have a list of suggested ethernet products in the Multicast link. However, we would advise that you speak to an 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. Unicast is a small scale mode and can use the existing 100BaseT (or better) network (devices listed below).
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.
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.
for large scale Davaar Multicast (>6 Linn DS in the system) you need to use Managed switches
We have a list of suggested Ethernet products in the Multicast link. However, we 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 requirements:
- 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.
For Large scale mode Davaar Multicast (>6 Linn DS/DSI in the system)
Recommended WAPs
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Linn recommends using a stand-alone wireless access point. Wireless access points built into switches and other consumer grade products are frequently (but not always) of a lower quality.
Click here for D-Link 3200 setup procedure.
Requirements:
- "Enterprise grade"
- Wireless G
- Robust connection quality
and optionally
- Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Ethernet over Power Mains
For Davaar family systems, Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors may reduce the number of rooms that can listen to a Songcast Linn DS (see explanation)
These adaptors allow you to broadcast Ethernet traffic over mains electricity wiring.
If you do wish to use Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors, Linn recommends the following HomeplugAV devices:
Solwise NET-PL-200-AV-PIGGY/PUSH
or
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 only scan the media when you want it to.
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.
Recommended System Components
For Large Scale mode Davaar Multicast (>6 Linn DS/DSI in the system)
