Strand 500

[Chris Davies]

Dear All,

 

I want to link two strand 500's togther.

 

One as the main desk and the other as a remote.

 

I believe that it is something to do with the IP address of the desk on the network.

 

Any info on how to set this up would be great

 

Many Thanks

 

CHRIS

[Liam FitzG]

Firstly make sure that you have Networker software installed on both your systems. And they both should be using the same version of software.

 

Then each desk needs to have a different IP address (just increment the last group of three digits in the IP address by one and leave the network mask the same {make sure your not clashing with one of your nodes}). You will also need a small hub to go in the middle. You can't just put a patch cable between each desk's network card. The hub can be a fairly simple little four port one that you can get for about €50 in a PC store.

 

You have some options on how the two desks work with each other. One can back up the other and track changes, and take over should the first desk fail for any reason. Alternitivly both desks can control the whole rig, or part each if you partition the universes; say one for movers and one for conventionals. You will need to edit the 220node.cfg in diferent ways depending on which way you want to use the desk.

 

Liam

[Chris Davies]

We already have the network all installed.

 

The second desk is used for rehearsals and we just need to access the main desks cues and groups etc..............

[Liam FitzG]

Afternoon Chris,

Spare console for plotting... very nice, I can only aspire to the Designer remote key.

But anyway.

 

It boils down to editing the 220node.cfg file, and putting the hub in. I won't type out the whole file here (twice - one fore each desk) as it's long and boring, and it's in the networker section of the full manual. But if you've misplaced your manual let me know and I'll PM you the two sets of changes.

 

Once set up the two desks will have their own Command, Channel control; and the Cues, Fx and Subs will be shared.

 

Liam

[Chris Davies]

If you could PM the details over when you get a spare minute that would be brill

 

Just to confirm: In order to edit the 220node.cfg file I will need to enter dos on starting up the second desk if I am right.

 

Cheers

 

CHRIS

[eamon]

Hi Chris

 

yes you will need to enter DOS. You probably know that the time this is read!

[gareth]

Just to confirm: In order to edit the 220node.cfg file I will need to enter dos on starting up the second desk if I am right.

You can do it by dropping into DOS, or you can use the Notes display page on the console to edit the file and then reboot.

[Liam FitzG]

I find the editor in notes display very cumbersome (I think its called a line editor), for editing something as "delicate" as the config files. But at the same time I don't like going into DOS unnecessarily. It would be nice if the editor used in notes display could be more like the editor in DOS. I wonder if anyone from Strand might take notice, ver 2.9 upgrade ?

 

Liam

[peternewman]

You will also need a small hub to go in the middle. You can't just put a patch cable between each desk's network card. The hub can be a fairly simple little four port one that you can get for about €50 in a PC store.

Just a few minor points, you should be able to use a crossover cable instead of needing a hub, and it should all work fine. Alternatively you can get far cheaper hubs, try Ebuyer for a start.

 

HTH

 

PN

[peter]

If you want to edit the files on the 5x0 but don't like the editor interface, you could always copy the files to a floppy disk, make the edits on a PC (using Notepad or similar) and then copy the files back from the floppy disk to the desk.