Installation and Setup
43
Instruction Manual – DXLink Fiber Transmitters and Receivers
Avoiding Network (Ethernet) Loops
Only one connection to a LAN is permitted within a switching system with DXLink Fiber support.
Network loops must
be avoided
(see FIG. 13).
Avoid Network Loops in Bidirectional Mode
Note:
DXLink Fiber units in Unidirectional or Data Link-lost Mode do not send Ethernet traffic over fiber optic
cable.
This list includes guidelines for connecting DXLink Fiber, Duplex units in Bidirectional Mode to a LAN with or without
an Enova DGX Digital Media Switcher in the system setup.
With a TX and RX in Extender Mode, only connect one of the units to a LAN.
With a TX and RX in Endpoint Mode when both units connect to a switcher, only connect to a LAN via the
Switcher.
Never connect both TX and RX in a single signal run to the same LAN as it causes a network loop.
Never connect both a switcher and a unit (TX or RX) connected to that switcher to the same LAN.
Note:
Best practices for connecting DXLink Fiber TXs and RXs directly to a LAN include setting the units to
Unidirectional Mode.
Example
In the example in FIG. 13, a network loop was created when the Enova DGX 16 was connected to a LAN and one of its
DXLink Fiber, Duplex Transmitters in Bidirectional Mode was connected to the same LAN. The Transmitter must be
disconnected from the LAN. The same problem would also occur if an enclosure and one (or more) of its DXLink Fiber,
Duplex Receivers in Bidirectional Mode were connected to a common LAN.
Remember to avoid network loops.
Important:
For Duplex hardware in Bidirectional Mode connected to an Enova Digital Media Switcher, we
recommend connecting the switcher to the network for all network connection needs. Network connections
via the switcher are faster and more reliable. Never connect both a TX and RX, a TX and switcher, or a
switcher and RX to the same network: Avoid network loops.
Caution:
Be careful not to create a network (Ethernet) loop.
LAN
Local Area Network
Destination device
Source device
Transmitter
LAN
connection
Enova DGX 16
Note:
A network loop is
created when an enclosure
and one or more DXLink
Fiber, Duplex TXs or RXs
within the system are
connected to a common
LAN.
FIG. 13
Avoid network loops with DXLink Fiber, Duplex units in Bidirectional Mode
Caution:
In a source-to-destination signal run that includes hardware in more than one Directional Mode,
take precautions against creating network loops with hardware in Bidirectional Mode (see page 57).
