Tascam Viewnet MX Graphic Interface Network MX-2424 Owners Manual

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Windows NT 4.0 Network Configuration
It is a good idea to have the Windows NT CD-ROM available when changing Windows network settings,
because Windows may require that certain files be copied from the CD to the hard drive. The following
assumes a dedicated Ethernet network of MX-2424’s and computers running ViewNet MX software.
When running MX-2424’s or ViewNet MX on an existing local area network, please consult the network
administrator for assistance in setting up the computer network.
Right click on the desktop icon “Network Neighborhood,” and select “Properties” from the pop-up menu. 
						

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Windows NT Network Window
This will open the Windows NT Network window. Click on the “Protocols” tab.
Make sure the TCP/IP Protocol installed. If it is not, click on “Add” to open the window called Select
Network Protocol and then select TCP/IP from the available choices. Complete the installation of the
TCP/IP protocol, then return to the Network window. 
						

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Windows NT Network Adapter Selection
In the Windows NT Network window, click on the “Adapters” tab. You must have a working network
adapter in your hardware profile (in this example the Intel 82557-based 10/100 Ethernet PCI Adapter is
installed). If you do not, please consult your Windows NT documentation or see your network
administrator for help installing your Network Interface hardware. 
						

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Windows NT TCP/IP Properties
Select the Protocols tab in Network window, then select TCP/IP and click on Properties. This will open
the TCP/IP Properties window.
Click on the IP Address tab, click on “Specify an IP address” and enter an appropriate IP address in the
field provided. Please note that no two computers may share an IP address, and that unpredictable
behavior is likely to occur if they do. See the discussion on IP addresses earlier in this chapter for more
information.
Use the Subnet Mask field to enter the IP Net mask. Set this value to 255.255.255.000 unless your
network administrator advises that you should use a different setting.
If you plan to connect two or more networks then you must enter an IP Gateway address. To designate a
gateway address, simply move the cursor to the Default Gateway field and enter the appropriate numbers. 
						

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Apple Macintosh Network Configuration
The following assumes a dedicated Ethernet network of MX-2424’s and computers running ViewNet
MX software. When running MX-2424’s or ViewNet MX on an existing local area network, please
consult the network administrator for assistance in setting up the computer network.
To configure networking support on the Macintosh, follow these steps.
Click on the apple menu in the upper left corner of the menu bar. From the pull down menu select
“Control Panels” and then select “TCP/IP” within the Control Panels menu. 
						

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The Macintosh TCP/IP Window
From the TCP/IP window, select “Ethernet” in the box labeled “Connect Via.”
In the “Configure” box choose “Manually.”
Enter an appropriate IP address in the field provided. Please note that no two computers may
share an IP address, and that unpredictable behavior is likely to occur if they do. See the
discussion on IP addresses earlier in this chapter for more information.
Use the Subnet Mask field to enter the IP Net mask. Set this value to 255.255.255.000 unless your
network administrator advises that you should use a different setting.
If you plan to connect two networks or more then you must enter a Router IP address (Gateway address).
To specify a router IP address, move the cursor to Router Address box and enter the appropriate number. 
						

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Chapter 2  Setting Up The Network
This chapter gives a brief overview of the Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) networking protocol used by
ViewNet MX and discusses some details concerning implementation of a 100 Mbps (Megabit per
second) Ethernet network. As an aid to further research, links to additional information which can be
found on the World Wide Web are also provided.
Important Network Set Up Considerations
Once the ViewNet MX software has been installed and the IP addresses have been set, the components
must be physically connected before the network can be used. If the MX-2424 is being connected directly
to the computer, a special type of Ethernet cable, called a crossover cable, must be used.  To connect an
MX-2424 or computer to an Ethernet hub, switch, or router, use a normal Ethernet cable. For more
detailed information, see the section in this chapter called Ethernet Cables and Connectors. If the
ViewNet MX network is going to be used in conjunction with an existing company Ethernet network, it
is also vitally important that all ViewNet MX computers and MX-2424’s be located behind a network
router to segregate the ViewNet MX components from the rest of the network. Please review the section
in this chapter called Using ViewNet MX With Existing LANs, and the sections on network switches,
routers, and hubs for more information.
Terminating the Network Connection
To properly terminate the network connection, exit the ViewNet Audio application, or turn the MX-2424
off before unplugging the cable.
A physical disconnection, i.e., unplugging the cable from the back of either the MX-2424 or the
computer (or an associated network hub or router), is not an acceptable means of breaking the
connection, and is strongly discouraged. Doing so may require a restart of the MX-2424, the computer
running ViewNet MX, or both, in order to restore normal operation.
Ethernet Cables and Connectors
The 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet used by ViewNet MX has a different set of cabling rules from 10 Mbps
Ethernet. Fast Ethernet requires Category 5 cabling. Some existing installed networks, however, may
have Category 3 cabling or poorly installed Category 5 cabling. Such cabling is adequate for 10 Mbps
Ethernet, however, it can result in dropped or corrupted packets, network noise, and even failure when
called upon to transmit Fast Ethernet. To achieve the best performance, make sure all network
cabling meets Category 5 standards
.
100Base-TX Specifications
ƒ 
Maximum Stations per Segment:  1024
ƒ 
Cable:  2-Pair Category 5 UTP cable
ƒ 
Maximum Length of Segments:  100 meters 
						

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Ethernet Patch Cable
In a standard Fast Ethernet configuration with more than twodevices, a hub is used to provide a central
means of connecting the units to each other. The cables used to connect each of the devices to the hub are
standard Ethernet patch cables. These are typically available at computer stores in a variety of lengths.
Keep in mind that only cat 5 UTP type cable should be used with ViewNet MX. These cables are wired
directly through pin to pin.For direct connection between two Ethernet devices where no hub is used, see
the next section on crossover cables.
Ethernet Crossover Cable Wiring
When connecting two Ethernet devices together directly (without a Hub), a crossover cable must be used.
This type of cable is available from TASCAM or most computer stores.
Ethernet Hubs
When more than one MX-2424 is used in a network configuration with ViewNet MX, an Ethernet hub is
required to connect the individual MX-2424’s and computers running the ViewNet MX software into a
networked system.
There are many commercially available hubs, which can be used with ViewNet MX. Any computer
network hub that is a 100BaseT hub (Fast Ethernet) should work.
Using ViewNet with existing LANs
It is not recommended that the ViewNet MX network be run on the same physical network as a regular
business LAN (Local Area Network) which also carries other network traffic such as company email and
Internet access. Running the ViewNet MX network under these circumstances may adversely affect the
speed of the network and the responsiveness of the ViewNet MX application. If the ViewNet MX
network must coexist with a company LAN, it is advisable that it be segregated from the rest of the
network traffic by means of a network switch or router which isolates traffic of the two sections of the
network to minimize interference. Check with the Information Systems manager or Network manager for
your company network to properly configure such systems. 
						

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Chapter 3  The Network Screen
When the ViewNet MX application is first started, it will open to the Network screen. This screen shows
a list of all MX-2424’s currently operating and connected to the network. If no machines are connected,
then nothing will appear in the list, most menu items will be grayed and unavailable, and the Project
View screen can not be accessed. Click the button labeled Network (upper right corner) at any time to
return to the Network View screen.
Sections of the Network Screen
The Network Screen consists of the following sections:
These are described in detail below.
Machine Status Information Columns
When a network broadcast is received from one or more MX-2424’s, columns in the Network screen will
show a list of setup parameters for each machine. To change any of the Setup parameters, select a
machine by clicking in the row of settings, then choose the “Settings…” item in the Machine menu to
open the Machine settings window.
If it is desired to broadcast new settings to multiple machines change the “Applied to:” button from
“Original machine” to “Machine Set ” then click on Apply Changes to apply only changes that have been
made since the Machine Settings window was opened or Apply All to apply all current settings to the
selected machine(s).
Name
This is the Machine Name, as entered in Setup Menu 940 of the MX-2424. The name can also be entered
by using the Machine Information window which is available in the Machine menu of ViewNet.
Ident
This is the machine ID number which is assigned in Setup Menu 111 of the MX-2424. This number will
have a value between 01 and 32, and must be unique for each MX-2424 connected together via the TL-
Bus. This number can be changed by using the Ident Request item under the 100 tab in the Machine
Settings window.
Serial Number
This displays the unique serial number of an MM series machine. This number is not displayed for the
MX-2424. 
						

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Type
This field shows that the connected machine is an MX-2424.
Project
This is the name of the currently loaded Project, as indicated in Setup Menu 800 of the MX-2424. Note
that if no Project is loaded, this will show the default name “MX Project.tl”. This name can also be
changed by using the Project Name item under the 800 tab in the ViewNet MX Machine Settings
window
Create a new project by using the “New Project…” item in the File menu. This menu item is only
available when in the Project View Screen.
Sync Group
This field is only used by MM series machines..
Bus status
This field shows the current status of the machine on the TL-Bus (Off, Master, or Slave). This status can
be changed by using the TL-Bus Request item under the 100 tab in the ViewNet Machine Settings
window or Menu 110 on the MX-2424.
If there is only one machine, activating  the bus as either slave or master will show “master” in this field
(because there is nothing to slave to).
Sample Rate
This field shows the digital sample rate of the MX-2424 as assigned in Setup Menu 005 of the MX-2424.
This value can be changed by using the Sample Rate item under the 000 tab in the ViewNet Machine
Settings window.
Frame Rate
This field shows the Timecode Type of the MX-2424 as assigned in Setup Menu 004 of the MX-2424.
This value can be changed by using the Timecode Type item under the 000 tab in the ViewNet Machine
Settings window.
Machine Sets
This field is only used by MM series machines.