THE INTELLIGENT NETWORK OVERVIEW/PRODUCT PLANNING GUIDE Wheatstone Corporation 600 Industrial Drive | New Bern NC 28562-5440 USA phone 1.252.638-7000 | fax 1.252.635-4857 wheatstone.com | [email protected] © 2012 Wheatstone Corporation 120901 INTRODUCTION TO WHEATNET-IP WHEATNET-IP Welcome to the Intelligent Network Why the Integrated Control Layer is Important Advantages Broadcasters who connect their studios with an AoIP network WheatNet-IP has numerous real benefits in We looked at the world of AoIP Networking can make their facilities more efficient and flexible. But to take the broadcast environment. These fall into four and thought long and hard before jumping “Intelligent network,” a network using architecture full advantage of the capabilities of these networks, a second main categories: flexibility, control, security, and with “distributed intelligence” in. The stuff that was out there was OK, but control layer is needed. Up until now, AoIP technology has been efficiency. left a LOT of room for improvement. For deployed in two steps: first the transport layer, which carries starters, the way the workload is distributed the IP audio is built, and then a second, optional control layer, Flexibility had to change. Rather than having a single usually running on networked PCs, is added on top. But the • Simplify your wiring and infrastructure source call the shots, we thought it important next generation of AoIP networks combine the two from to have distributed intelligence built into the start. • Two built-in mixers in every BLADE for WheatNet-IP. What this means is that every summing, splitting, submixing. BLADE (or node) has the DNA of the entire FIRST-GENERATION AOIP NETWORK TECHNOLOGY: • Consoles can be reconfigured instantly for network and can operate in any position multi-purpose use on the network. It means that the network AUDIO can configure itself, as every BLADE is self- • PCs, codecs, processors, controllers, aware. It means the network can heal itself COMMANDCONTROLLOGIC and other devices connect directly to the - if a BLADE fails (fat chance) just put a new CONTROL network one in its place and watch it set itself up. We COMMANDCONTROLLOGIC • Adding and changing hardware and I/O also incorporated gigabit Ethernet speed capacity is a snap. Be spontaneous. giving you 10x the bandwidth of the common Centrally controlled A PC runs the control layer • Web browser interface for easy control stock. WheatNet-IP’s Intelligent Network is network architecture what the industry has been waiting for. VS from remote locations • Comprehensive monitoring of the entire WHEATNET-IP NEXT-GENERATION AOIP NETWORK TECHNOLOGY: system Creating a network to link audio and control many Control different sources in many different locations COMMANDCONTROLLOGICAUDIO — studios, control rooms, production suites, • Logic (GPI I/O) built into every BLADE newsrooms, TOC, automation, streaming, STL No PC (and less wiring) needed as the penthouse — is a daunting task. Doing it on a intelligence is built into the network itself • Each BLADE has front panel meters budget is even tougher. Prior to WheatNet-IP • Each BLADE has a front panel headphone Audio, doing it without a graduate degree in IT The system becomes one integrated audio ecosystem. Users interact jack with amplifier and volume control was pretty much impossible. with it as an entity and have greater control and capability because • Remote access means that every “oops” WheatNet-IP Audio is THE rock-solid, ultra-fast each component of the system is always linked in and available from doesn’t require a trip to the station solution for bringing your traditional broadcast anywhere on the network. Just as a large computer network benefits • Sophisticated logic functionality for engineering functions into an IT-based network. from centralized administration and control, so does an AoIP network. remote control of 2-way push-to-talk, Setup is easy, intuitive, and takes only a few • WheatNet-IP is comprised of hardware BLADEs — these Any node, control surface, or application that is not directly controlled door buzzers, coffee machines? You minutes until you’re on the air. handle I/O in various configurations as well as other tasks becomes time consuming and difficult to deal with, just as orphaned name it. such as processing and mix engine duties printers, drives, or modems do in a computer network. Devices The front panel setup wizard in each BLADE gets isolated from networked control ultimately limit flexibility, reliability, you up and running in moments. Extensive front • All BLADEs are linkable units that communicate with each Security and creativity. panel metering and status indicators provide quick other via a single CAT-6 over Gigabit Ethernet protocol • Fault-tolerant, self-healing, and robust confirmation that all is well. using standard layer 2 or 3 Ethernet switches When all of the devices in the system are true IP devices, installation due to distributed intelligence and maintenance are simplified. Every device uses a common Ethernet WheatNet-IP’s NAVIGATOR Administration and • All BLADEs are designed to interface seamlessly with cable and plugs into an Ethernet switch. No special serial cables and • Silence detection and automatic switching Control Software and web interface let you further Wheatstone’s existing Control Surfaces, the Wheatstone distribution systems or logic adapter cards and breakout boxes are are available at every BLADE customize and control your system, locally or GLASS-E Virtual Console, Wheatstone console control needed. Changing logic functionality means clicking on a computer remotely. panels, most of the popular automation systems and screen, even from a remote location, rather than punching down wires Efficiency streaming audio Each BLADE carries a complete map of the entire or sending configuration files as is needed in older systems. • One box, many functions - the Swiss Army connected network in its onboard CPU flash RAM • With Wheatstone’s WheatNet-PC driver installed in your Because each member of the system is able to see and interact with BLADE — this allows BLADEs to be quickly and easily automation system computers, you can eliminate the all of the other members, complex features and dynamic, conditional replaced in a network. Assign an ID # to a BLADE expensive sound card and tons of wiring with a single • Drivers and partner interfaces allow direct functionality can be user programmed; things like wholesale station and connect it to the network — it will query CAT-6 cable to your WheatNet-IP network for two-way connections to the network reformatting, studio switching, or changing audio processing when a the other connected BLADEs and import all the audio, console control, and routing certain mic turns on can be easily achieved, all over the single CAT6 • Never see a distribution amplifier again necessary configuration settings. No external PC • Start with a single BLADE as a 16x16 router, add a studio cable that is already in place for the audio connection. required! • Consoles adapt and reconfigure instantly control surface with two or three BLADEs and a Gigabit Just as audio processing has evolved beyond a simple equalizer or for different shows. Consolidate easily! Ethernet switch, then expand your WheatNet-IP network to compressor, today’s most advanced AoIP systems have progressed thousands of channels • Creating submixes to bypass automation beyond simply sending audio over a network. They can provide around the console requires no extra unparalleled control for unleashing the creativity, responsiveness and hardware. flexibility needed to succeed in the most competitive of environments. 2 3 THE INTELLIGENT NETWORK TECHNICAL INFO WHEATNET-IPLX-24 Architecture: An Overview of the AoIP Audio Ecosystem Control Surface(s) Automation Why WheatNet-IP Intelligent Network Is Where To Start...The Control Surface Wheatstone E-6/E-4 Wheatstone SO Much Better E-1 As with your traditional on-air or production studio, the first thing to MMMacroMedia Whether you’re setting up a new build, updating consider is the mixing console. Wheatstone’s control surfaces ARE the your analog facility or are replacing your consoles, when combined with mix engines and assorted BLADES (see outdated Audio-over-IP system with one that below) that handle I/O, processing or other tasks. can accommodate ALL your needs, NOW is the With WheatNet-IP, you can start simple or go full-blown. A control surface, Wheatstone Audioarts Sideboard IP-12 time to bring your facility into the 21st century mix engine/audio interface is no more expensive than a digital board and Vorsis Processing with Wheatstone’s proven AoIP environment, offers MUCH greater functionality. Expanding is a snap - just add I/O or Wheatstone AirAura WheatNet-IP. Designed from the ground up by specialty BLADES and/or more control surfaces wherever you need them the folks who defined audio networking for radio (annex studio, newsroom, production suite, streaming rack, etc.). That’s Wheatstone LX-24 and production, WheatNet-IP is the single best when you begin to realize how seamless and powerful the Intelligent thing you can do for your station. Network really is. Imagine access to audio anywhere in your facility WheatNet-IP is called the “Intelligent Network” from ANY control surface. Imagine interfacing your automation with no for a few reasons: sound card, external logic connections or added routers. Imagine having processing wherever and whenever you need it – mics, program, remotes I/O BLADES Specialty BLADES 1. The front panel setup wizard in each BLADE or headphones. If you can imagine it, you can do it with WheatNet-IP. Ethernet Switch gets you up and running in moments. Extensive front panel metering and status indicators Next...BLADES: What They Are and WHY You Need Them provide quick confirmation that all is well. BLADES are WheatNet-IP’s intelligent interfaces and are the heart of the WheatNet-IP’s NAVIGATOR Administration and WheatNet-IP network.