Question: How should my network be configured when using the 3000 Series IEM?
Answer: The Audio-Technica 3000 Series IEM transmitters are designed for easy connection to a network, allowing integration with other networked components and the Audio-Technica Wireless Manager software. There are some configurations in your network equipment that may impede communication. If you are integrating the 3000 Series IEM into an existing network, you will want to confirm the following configurations.
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is a network protocol that allows several devices to share a single IP address so they can all receive the same data. This allows a transmitting device to send out a single multicast data packet addressed to the group rather than multiple unicast data packets addressed to each of the devices, thereby saving bandwidth on the network. However, network switches, as layer 2 devices, typically do not have access to this information as IGMP is a layer 3 (network layer) protocol only used by a router. Without any extra configuration, a switch will treat multicast data as a broadcast, flooding it out of every port. Some network switches can enable IGMP snooping, which allows them to peek at the IGMP membership reports and restrict multicast traffic to only ports that need it. However, if there is no router present to handle IGMP, snooping cannot be used. This is because without IGMP queries being sent, there will be no membership reports to snoop and the switch will eventually restrict all multicast traffic including that of the 3000 Series IEM networked transmitters and Wireless Manager.
An isolated network can be used for connecting the 3000 Series IEM transmitters and a computer running Wireless Manager via a managed network switch (software configurable changes) by disabling IGMP snooping. Alternatively, you can use an unmanaged switch that does not have IGMP snooping enabled. When used in a network with an IGMP-capable router, IGMP snooping can be used to minimize excess traffic. Be certain that IGMP is enabled on the router as it may be disabled by default. If your switch is unmanaged and has a fixed configuration with IGMP snooping activated, enabling IGMP on your router is the only way to allow multicast applications to work properly. This will also allow you to continue to use other common networked audio devices, such as those using the Dante protocol, that recommend using IGMP snooping.
The 3000 Series IEM transmitter passes the RF Scan data for frequency coordination and sends real-time status data that is used in the Monitor tab of the Wireless Manager software. Proper configuration of your network is essential for this communication. If you have further questions on setting up your 3000 Series IEM on your network, please contact the Audio Solutions Department.