QSC Q-Sys Networking - User Manual

1
Application Note
Q-Sys
TM
Networking Overview
Figure A1
Date: 01/18/2011
Revision: A
Author: Scott Kalarchik
The intention of this document is to provide network
administrators an overview of the requirements needed to
implement a Q-Sys Audio System on a converged network. In
order to simplify this group of networking requirements for
ease of communication between parties, QSC has named these
requirements the “Q-LAN Protocol Suite”.
Overview of Q-Sys
Q-Sys is a system that performs complex routing, processing and
management of audio in a facility. The elements of a Q-Sys system:
• The Core is based on an Intel™ server processor. It runs the
system and handles the signal processing functions.
• I/O Frames are connected to the Core via the network and
provide a means for audio signals to be brought into the
Core from analog and digital sources as well as sending the
processed audio to power amplifiers, powered loudspeakers
or other audio devices. The I/O Frames are fitted with cards
appropriate to the types of inputs and outputs they will receive
or send.
• Peripheral devices including Page Stations and Touch Screen
Controllers may also be used in a system.
• Q-Sys Designer software is used by the system designer to
create signal flows, processing and control screens for a system.
Layer-3 Networking
All Q-Sys network protocols are Internet Protocol (IP) based and
support advanced networks beyond the simple Layer-2 LAN.
Because Q-Sys is a live system, real-time performance is required
on either the LAN or the Layer-3 environments. On a Layer-3
network, routers replace some, or all, of the network switches.
Therefore, routers need to have the same performance and
feature requirements as the switches they replace.
Q-LAN Protocol Suite
Sampling Clock
• IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) used for synchronisation
• UDP on Ports 319 and 320
• ≤100 packets per second
• ≤100 bytes per packet
• 224.0.1.129 ~ 224.0.1.132 – registered to IEEE
• Address used depends on clock configuration selected in
the Designer software
Q-Sys™ Core
Up to 16
Audio Sources
I/O Frame
I/O Frame
I/O Frame
QSC DataPort
Amplifiers
QSC
Loudspeakers
QSC
Loudspeakers
QSC DataPort
Amplifiers
Gigabit Switch
Q-Sys™ Core
AES Digital Audio

QSC Q-Sys Networking Specifications

General

Brand	QSC
Model	Q-Sys Networking
Category	Stereo System
Language	English

Summary

Q-Sys Networking Overview

Overview of Q-Sys

Explains Q-Sys as a system for complex routing, processing, and management of audio.

Layer-3 Networking

Details Q-Sys network protocols on Layer-3 networks, requiring routers with switch-like performance.

Q-LAN Protocol Suite

Defines Q-LAN protocol suite requirements, including sampling clock details like PTP and UDP ports.

Audio Streams

Specifies requirements for Q-Sys audio streams, including UDP ports, packet size, and channel counts.

Control

Details control data protocols (TCP, HTTP) and requirements for UCI's, AMX, and Crestron interfaces.

QoS

Explains Quality of Service implementation using DiffServ/DSCP for timely packet delivery and queue management.

QDP and Multicast Routing

Covers QDP device discovery and IEEE 1588 PTP multicast addresses for Layer-3 network configuration.

Latency

Specifies latency requirements for time on wire, switch, and network, with options for buffer size adjustment.

Switch Requirements

Lists requirements for managed Gigabit switches, including QoS support, low delay, and no Jumbo frames.

Bandwidth Usage

Provides a formula for calculating bandwidth requirements based on stream and channel counts.

IP Address

Recommends manual IP address assignment and outlines DHCP and IPv4LL as alternative methods.

End Point Device Routing

Explains how to enable cross-subnet communication using static routes or the default gateway.