Focusrite RedNet - Getting Started; Hosting Rednet

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GETTING STARTED
The Getting Started Guide, which is included with the RedNet PCIe card, provides a brief overview of
the steps you need to take to establish a working RedNet system, and if you haven’t already done so,
we suggest you read through this document now.
Refer to the documentation supplied with your Gigabit switch. You will be able to access the switch
configuration once you have connected the switch to your computer’s Ethernet port by opening your
usual Internet browser and entering the IP address (this will be given in the switch documentation)
into the browser’s URL field. Most switches will be pre-configured in a suitable state for use with
RedNet, but it is important to check that QoS (Quality of Service) is enabled. This step should be
straightforward, but if you have difficulties, please refer to the Answerbase on the Focusrite website:
www.focusrite.com/answerbase.
HOSTING REDNET
RedNet can be ‘hosted’ (i.e., supported by your system computer) either with or without the RedNet
PCIe card. Focusrite recommends using the RedNet PCIe Card to get the best performance from
your RedNet system. With the card, your system will have the lowest audio latency possible and
support the maximum number of channels. See note below regarding use of RedNet with Pro Tools
HD
TM
systems.
If you are not using the RedNet PCIe Card, a RedNet system can be hosted on any compatible
computer with one Ethernet port using the Dante Virtual Soundcard. This is a software application
which may be downloaded from www.audinate.com. Please consult the User Guide section “Using
Dante Virtual Soundcard”.
With the Dante Virtual Soundcard, system performance and capacity will be reduced compared to
a system using the RedNet PCIe card. With Dante Virtual Soundcard, the system channel count
at the sampling frequency in use (the maximum number of audio channels available) is half that
achievable with the RedNet PCIe card. Overall system latency will vary with the specification of
the host computer in use, but in most cases will be similar to the latency experienced when using
Focusrite FireWire interfaces. This is likely to be more than adequate in the majority of situations.
For more information: www.focusrite.com/rednet
NOTE: Pro Tools HD
TM
users can interface to a RedNet system with one or more RedNet 5 HD Bridge.
In this case, RedNet 5 itself acts as the system host, and neither a RedNet PCIe card nor Dante
Virtual Soundcard are required to operate the RedNet system.