Difference between revisions of "Network Components"

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This page details the non-Linn components required for a DS player system.
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Linn's digital media products (collectively referred to as Linn DS below) use standard IP networking for audio distribution and control.  The suggested 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.
  
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<br>
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[http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Songcast#Large-scale_mode '''Large-scale Mode''']
  
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=== Ethernet Switch ===
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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 [http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Multicast_Filtering multicast filtering], which will require higher-grade network equipment.
  
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The Ethernet switch is the connection point for all other components on the network allowing them to communicate with each other.
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We advise that you speak to a '''Network Specialist''' regarding this subject to specify the Ethernet devices for your specific system.
  
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'''Minimum requirements:'''
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[http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Songcast#Small-scale_mode '''Small-scale Mode''']
  
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* Must be a dedicated, stand alone switch. Linn recommends against using the switches built into consumer grade ADSL routers, cable modems, or wireless access points. The processing power of such devices is often shared between its various functions and is therefore not always capable of full performance.
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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.
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* Must be either a 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps full duplex switch.
 
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* Must be capable of fully utilising all ports simultaneously. On vendor’s specification pages this is sometimes listed under a category called the “switch backplane” or the “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 the 8 ports. For a 16 port gigabit switch, the “switch bandwidth” would be 32 Gbps. (2*16*1000 Mbps).
 
  
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'''Ethernet switches that Linn have tested:'''
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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.
  
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Netgear Switch FS108 <br>Netgear Switch FS108P <br>Netgear Switch FS116 <br>Netgear Switch GS108 <br>Netgear Switch GS116 <br>Netgear Switch FSM726 <br>
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== DHCP server ==
  
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<br>
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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.
  
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=== Wireless Access Point (WAP) ===
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== Ethernet Switch ==
  
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The WAP connects the wireless control point to the Ethernet network.
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The Ethernet switch is the connection point for all other components on the network, allowing them to communicate with each other.
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The Linn DS/DSM/HUB uses 100Base-T sockets.
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<!--
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=== Large-scale Mode ===
  
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Linn recommends using a standalone wireless access point. Wireless access points built into switches and other consumer grade products are frequently (but not always) of a lower quality.
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For installations using Songcast to more than five Linn DS, you need to deploy [http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Multicast_Filtering managed switches].
  
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'''Minimum requirements:'''
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We advise that you ask a '''Network Specialist''' to specify the Ethernet devices for your particular system.
  
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* "Enterprise grade"
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=== Small-scale Mode ===-->
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* Wireless G
 
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* Robust connection quality
 
  
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and optionally
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* You can use the switch ports on your router if present, or any unmanaged 100/1000base-T switch to add additional ports
  
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* Power over Ethernet (PoE)
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==MoCA (Media over Coax Alliance)==
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:  This is DLNA approved (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_over_Coax_Alliance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_over_Coax_Alliance]).
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:As a Layer2 device transport this has no affect on IP, TCP or UDP
  
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<br>
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== Wireless Access Point (WAP) ==
  
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'''WAPs that Linn have tested:'''<br>Linksys wap200 <br>Dlink Dwl-3200AP
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The WAP connects the wireless control point to the network. 
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Most ISP routers have a built-in WAP.
  
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<br>
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If to be used with Apple devices the '''DTIM''' setting needs to be increased.  (Apple recommends a setting of '''3''' or higher.)
  
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=== NAS ===
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== Ethernet over Power Mains ==
  
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Securely stores music on a hard drive array.
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These devices allow you to broadcast Ethernet traffic over mains electricity wiring.
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Electrical noise on your home mains system can reduce the bandwidth/speed of your Ethernet-over-mains devices and cause poor communication with your Linn DS/DSM. They can also add "latency". This means that any communications are delayed, if this delay is too long then the Linn DS/DSM and control devices may ignore this communication.
  
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<br>
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For Davaar family systems, Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors may reduce the number of rooms that can listen to a Songcast Linn DS (see [http://docs.linn.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Songcast#Small-scale_mode_2 explanation])
  
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Placing your digital media collection on a NAS has a number of benefits:
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== Media Server ==
  
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Protects your digital media files - if the NAS has RAID capability (hard-drive redundancy), you are protected from failure of any one of the drives in your system
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''Media Server Requirements''
  
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High availability - Many NASes draw very little power when they are idle, so they can be left permanently switched on. This means you wont have to wait for computer to boot before you can start streaming music
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* UPnP AV 1.0 certified
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Additionally, some NASes are capbable of running a media server. This relieves your computer of one more task, and increases availability of your audio.
 
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<br>'''Lacie Ethernet Disk'''
 
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Summary Compatible with Linn DS products, comes with Twonky Media pre-installed, easy to set-up, no RAID
 
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No NFS <br>No RAID
 
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<br>'''Netgear ReadyNAS NV+'''
 
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<br>
 
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'''QNAP TS409 Pro'''
 
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Excellent competitor to the Netgear ReadyNAS<br>* Suitable for DS<br>* Pro version has NFS support, making it suitable for Akurate Music Server system
 
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<br>'''DLink DNS 323'''
 
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The DLink is a cheap NAS, with RAID 1 capability. The drive has poor firmware out of the box, (the pre-installed UPnP server is seriously broken), but it can be upgraded to run Twonky Media Server.
 
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<br>Installation experience of Twonky is relatively straight-forward if you are prepared to follow the instructions to install "fun_plug", (http://wiki.dns323.info/howto:fun_plug) and the Twonky installation instructions (http://www.twonkyvision.com/Download/TwonkyMedia/TM4Technicians.html)<br>* 2 disk SATA<br>* RAID 0,1,JBOD<br>* Linux ("busybox") based<br>* DHCP<br>* pre-installed uPnP server (DLink custom)
 
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<br>Additionally, the NAS runs three important pieces of software:
 
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a. Media Server: Indexes and allows retrieval of the music from the NAS.
 
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b. DHCP Server: Responsible for allocating IP addresses to all devices on the network.
 
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c. Network Sharing Protocols: Allows computers to place new music on the NAS.
 
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<br>
 
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=== Media Server ===
 
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* UPnP AV 1.0 certified or DNLA 1.0
 
 
* FLAC support
 
* FLAC support
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* Easy installation on the NAS
 
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<br>
 
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* Media servers tested by Linn
 
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* Twonky Media
 
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<br>
 
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=== Wireless control point ===
 
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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,&nbsp;or a standard computer/laptop.
 
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The Linn GUI runs on .NET 2.0
 
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'''Minimum requirements:'''
 
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'''UMPC'''
 
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* 800 x 480
 
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* 600MHz processor or greater, (800Mhz preferred)
 
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* .NET 2.0
 
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* Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC edition 2005
 
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<br>
 
  
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'''Windows PC/laptop'''
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and preferably
  
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* Windows XP Professional 2002
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* easy installation on the NAS
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* 800 MHz processor or greater
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* Album Art support
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* .NET 2.0
 
  
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<br>
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== NAS ==
  
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'''Specific UMPCs that Linn have&nbsp;tested:'''
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A [[NAS|NAS]] stores your music and makes it accessible over the network.
  
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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<br>ASUS Notebook R2H Series, 1Gb 900Mhz Celeron M, running Windows Vista Home Premium
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== Control Point ==
  
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<br>
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Wireless control point
  
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'''Specific Internet Tablets that Linn have tested:'''
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The wireless control point provides the user interface for accessing music and controlling playback. The device can be either a Smartphone, Internet Tablet, or a standard computer/laptop.
  
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* Nokia N800/N810 (running Media Streamer). Note: The N800 must be running Nokia's OS2008 firmware to operate with Linn's Compatibility Families of software other than Auskerry.
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== Some examples of Network products ==
 +
{{Network:Tested_Devices}}

Latest revision as of 10:49, 26 April 2022

Linn's digital media products (collectively referred to as Linn DS below) use standard IP networking for audio distribution and control. The suggested 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.

Large-scale Mode

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 advise that you speak to a Network Specialist regarding this subject to specify the Ethernet devices for your specific system.

Small-scale Mode

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.

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.

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.

Ethernet Switch

The Ethernet switch is the connection point for all other components on the network, allowing them to communicate with each other. The Linn DS/DSM/HUB uses 100Base-T sockets.

  • You can use the switch ports on your router if present, or any unmanaged 100/1000base-T switch to add additional ports

MoCA (Media over Coax Alliance)

This is DLNA approved (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia_over_Coax_Alliance).
As a Layer2 device transport this has no affect on IP, TCP or UDP

Wireless Access Point (WAP)

The WAP connects the wireless control point to the network. Most ISP routers have a built-in WAP.

If to be used with Apple devices the DTIM setting needs to be increased. (Apple recommends a setting of 3 or higher.)

Ethernet over Power Mains

These devices allow you to broadcast Ethernet traffic over mains electricity wiring. Electrical noise on your home mains system can reduce the bandwidth/speed of your Ethernet-over-mains devices and cause poor communication with your Linn DS/DSM. They can also add "latency". This means that any communications are delayed, if this delay is too long then the Linn DS/DSM and control devices may ignore this communication.

For Davaar family systems, Ethernet-over-Mains adaptors may reduce the number of rooms that can listen to a Songcast Linn DS (see explanation)

Media Server

Media Server Requirements

  • UPnP AV 1.0 certified
  • FLAC support

and preferably

  • easy installation on the NAS
  • Album Art support

NAS

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 for accessing music and controlling playback. The device can be either a Smartphone, Internet Tablet, or a standard computer/laptop.

Some examples of Network products

The following devices are examples of network products that have been tried at one time..

However, the hardware and firmware of these devices are in the control of their respective manufacturers and may have changed from what was originally tried.
  • Router/DHCP Server
    • Pakedge PK-R6F-UK
  • SFP Multimode Modules:
    • H!Fiber.com : ASF85-24-X2-Cisco-2pcs-HF(EU)
    • II-VI / Finisar : FTLF8519P3BNL
  • WAP
    • ASUS RT-AC68U
    • D-Link DWL3200AP (Firmare 2.55 or later)
    • Ubiquiti UniFi (Firmware 4.3.20 )
  • All-in-one
    • Buffalo WHR-G300N AirStation (Firmware V1.82/1.85)
    • Buffalo Airstation WZR-1166DHP
    • ZyXEL NBG-417N
    • ZyXEL NBG-4615 (Fimware 1.00(BWQ.2)C0 )
    • Billion BiPAC 6200 NXL
    • D-Link DIR-655/B (Firmware 2.00 , 12, Aug, 2010)
      • (Advanced - Enable Multicast Streams)
    • D-Link DIR-645 (Firmware v1.04)
    • Negtgear WNR2200
    • D-LINK DWR-921 (Firmware 2.00b5 used with 3G/4G to allow remote Exakt updates)
    • Ubiquiti AirRouter WiFi 2.4GHz Indoor MIMO Router
    • Netgear R6120-100 AC1200
  • Managed Switch
    • Cisco (Linksys) SLM2008
    • Cisco SG300-10
    • ZyXEL ES-2108
    • ZyXEL GS2200
    • HP Procurve 2510-24G (J9279A)
  • Apple AirPort Extreme was tested and does NOT work

Customer/Retailer Problem Reports

This information is supplied to Linn Products by retailers & customers. Linn Products has not tried any of these devices.

  • Fritzbox reported having issues with Apple broadcasts and losing connections. Check here.
  • Technicolor TG799 - Firmware v18.1. Check here.
  • Arris TG3482G (Comcast / Xfinity) - Issue with Exakt devices in Konfig (reported by retailer, 3rd October 2019)
  • Pace 5268AC (AT&T) - aka Arris 5268AC - (reported by retailer, 3rd October 2019)
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