Issue 4, August 2021
Model 5401A User Guide
Page 40
Studio Technologies, Inc.
Model 5401A
DANTE LEADER CLOCK
provided for the Dante primary port and a second
instance provided for the Dante secondary port.
Applications that utilize AES67 require PTP version
2 (PTPv2) as covered under the standard IEEE
1588-2008. (And following details as specified in the
SMPTE ST2059-2 profile.) The Model 5401A will pro-
vide support for PTPv2 if the AES67 mode has been
enabled in the Dante Controller application. This is in
addition to PTPv1 support; both can function simulta-
neously. When AES67 mode has been enabled and
Redundant or ReMgmt mode is selected,
then both the Model 5401A’s Dante primary and Dante
secondary Ethernet interfaces will provide indepen-
dent PTPv2 server functionality. (And to highlight, this
is in addition to PTPv1 functionality.)
In Dante-related AES67 applications the Model
5401A can provide good PTPv2 functionality. But the
Model 5401A can’t serve as a general-purpose PTPv2
grandmaster clock. Limitations in Dante’s AES67
implementation restricts Studio Technologies’ ability
to adjust PTPv2 operating parameters, something that
some applications may require. Refer to Appendix
F, located at the end of the guide, for details on the
default PTPv2 implementation that the Model 5401A
provides.
Dante IP Addresses
If the Model 5401A’s Dante interface has been config-
ured in the Dante Controller application for Switched
or SMgmt operation, by default the Model
5401A’s Dante primary Ethernet interfaces will attempt
to automatically obtain an IP address and associated
settings using DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol). If a DHCP server is not detected then an IP
address will automatically be assigned using the link-
local protocol. This protocol is known in the Microsoft®
world as Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA).
It is also sometimes referred to as auto-IP (PIPPA).
Link-local will randomly assign a unique IP address in
the IPv4 range of 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254. In
this way, multiple Dante-enabled devices will connect
together and automatically function, whether or not a
DHCP server is active on the LAN. Even two Dante-
enabled devices that are directly interconnected
using an RJ45 patch cord should correctly acquire
IP addresses and be able to communicate with each
other. As previously discussed in this guide, using
Dante Controller the Model 5401A’s Dante Ethernet
IP address(es) and related network parameters can
also be set for manual (fixed or static) operation.
If the Model 5401A’s Dante interface has been
configured in Dante Controller for Redundant or
ReMgmt operation then both the Model
5401A’s Dante primary and Dante secondary Eth-
ernet interfaces will attempt to automatically obtain
IP addresses and associated network settings using
DHCP. If DHCP is not available then link-local IP ad-
dresses will be assigned. If automatic assignment
of IP addresses is not desired each interface can
be individually configured using Dante Controller to
use a manual (fixed or static) IP address and related
network parameters.
The specific IP address assigned to each of the Model
5401A’s Dante interfaces can be identified using
several methods. The Dante Controller application
will directly display the network parameters of the
primary and, if utilized, secondary Ethernet inter-
faces. Another means is to utilize the Model 5401A’s
network configuration webpage to directly display the
IP addresses assigned to the primary and, if utilized,
secondary Ethernet ports. The Model 5401A’s front-
panel menu system can also be selected to display
the Dante primary IP address.
Optimizing Dante Network
Performance
For best Dante audio-over-IP performance a network
that supports VoIP QoS (voice-over-internet-protocol
quality of service) capability is recommended. This
can typically be implemented on virtually all contem-
porary managed Ethernet switches. There are even
specialized switches that are optimized for entertain-
ment-associated applications. Also, it’s recommended
that IGMP snooping functionality on Ethernet switch
ports associated with Dante devices be disabled. This
can be important, allowing Dante-related multicast
data traffic, including PTPv1, to be correctly sup-
ported. Refer to the Audinate website (audinate.com)
for details on how to optimize a network for Dante
applications.
Management IP Address and
Configuration
It’s easy to determine the active IP address being used
by the Model 5401A’s management Ethernet port. The
most direct method is to simply watch the front-panel
