Ross NK Series - Getting Started with the NK-VRC; Features, Equipment, and System Overview

NK-VRC User Guide (v05) Getting Started • 11
Getting Started
The NK-VRC Virtual Routing Core provides virtual routing and resource management capability to an NK Series
routing switcher system.
Features and Components
The NK-VRC provides the following features:
• virtual routing for a complex NK Series routing switcher system
• up to 1000 virtual source mappings to physical inputs
• up to 1000 virtual destination mappings to physical outputs
• resource management
• four status LEDs for status/error indications
• compact 1 RU design
• software is fully upgradeable using DashBoard.
• slim modular design integrates with NK Series devices via T-Bus using straight CAT5 Ethernet cables
Typical System Equipment
The NK-VRC is used when you require virtual routing or resource management. Using DashBoard, you can map
inputs and outputs from routing switchers through to the NK-VRC for control via any remote control panel. These
parameters can be saved in a configuration file (.cbd) and sent to an NK-VRC at any time using DashBoard. The
SmartPaste function can also be used to quickly duplicate a configuration file or device configuration to another
device. Therefore, if an NK-VRC is used in a number of different operating scenarios, the configuration can be
changed easily and quickly.
Typical equipment in an NK Series routing switcher system where an NK-VRC would be used includes:
• one or more NK Series routing switchers
• an NK-IPS Network Bridge
• control panels and devices (i.e. RCP-NKM, RCP-NKQ, NK-3RD)
• a PC running DashBoard
• standard source and destination equipment (i.e. cameras, VTRs, servers)
• optionally, one or more external resources (i.e. openGear DA card, GearLite up-converter)
 If you are connecting the PC directly to the NK-IPS, use a crossover CAT5 Ethernet cable.
 If you are connecting the PC indirectly via an Ethernet switch to the NK-IPS, use a straight-through CAT5
Ethernet cable.
 The NK-IPS and PC with DashBoard are only required for setting up the configuration file, then sending this to
the device. However, you can use the NK Switchboard feature in DashBoard to control and monitor a routing
switcher system.
System Overview
A routing switcher system may use distributed control across the Internet, a LAN, or a VPN. The routing switcher
system shown in Figure 2.1 has been simplified. The NK-VRC enables you to map physical inputs and outputs
across multiple router levels to a virtual source or destination. For example, in Figure 2.1, Camera 1 provides
inputs to the SDI router level and the AES/EBU router level. If you map these two inputs to the same virtual source
(call this Camera 1), you can switch both levels with a single switch request. Without virtual routing, this can be