Network Switch Setup for Q-SYS Platform Generic Switch Guide for Q-SYS

Transcription

1 Network Switch Setup for Q-SYS Platform This document describes the general goals necessary for a network switch to operate optimally in a Q-SYS environment. Introduction This document describes general switch setup goals for Q-SYS deployments. It is intended for qualified network engineers who understand the switch QoS and multicast configuration details (via CLI and/or Web). Q-SYS has strict network requirements, and not all switches or networks may meet them. These are the switch configuration goals: Enable strict priority queue on all the switch s ports. Enable trust DSCP on all the switch s ports. Map switch DSCP values to the appropriate queues. Enable IGMP snooping v2 with Querier. Selecting QoS presets in a Q-SYS design file In addition to configuring the switches for the network, set up the appropriate QoS presets in the Q-SYS design. 1. In Q-SYS Designer Software, open the design. Make sure it is disconnected from the Core processor (press F7 or select File > Disconnect). 2. Select File > Design Properties. 3. Select the QLAN QoS preset. 4. Leave the PTPv2 Domain and PTP Priority settings at default. Click OK. 5. To save the settings, press F5 or select File > Save to Core & Run. Revision May

2 Configuring the network switch for Q-SYS The actual switch configuration procedure may vary greatly among models, series, and manufacturers. Some switches require a console cable and command-line instructions typed in via a terminal application on a computer. Others use a web interface page accessible over the network. Some offer both means of configuration. QoS settings on all ports Set all ports to Strict Priority and Trust DSCP. QoS priority For Q-LAN operation, three queues require QoS priority. For combined Q-LAN and Audinate (AES67) operation you must set four queues. Q-LAN only network EF (46): highest priority AF41 (34): second highest priority AF31 (26): third highest priority Q-LAN and Audinate network CS7 (56): highest priority EF (46): second highest priority AF31 (26): third highest priority CS1 (8): third highest priority If you have IP cameras in the network Enable IGMP snooping V2 on all switches. Enable Querier on one switch on the network If problems arise with network discovery, disable IGMP snooping on all switches. Keep in mind that doing so could limit performance of IP cameras and other devices. If you are also using Dante (Audinate) or other multicast services on the network Put Dante and other services on separate switches or VLANs. Isolating multicast applications minimizes problems and helps ensure optimal network performance. Revision May

3 Assigning IP addresses Map out the IP addresses you plan to assign on all switches and devices on the network. Assign the IP addresses as instructed in their respective user documentation. Put LAN A, LAN B, AUX A, and AUX B on different IP subnets. Do not have any overlap. Save the switch configuration. If possible back up the configuration to a computer or other storage for safekeeping. Tips Network switches Q-SYS traffic is time sensitive and requires a minimum port speed of 1 Gbps on switches. The minimum switch port buffer size is 40 kb per port. Switch queues handling Q-SYS real time traffic (PTPv2, Q-SYS audio, and Q-SYS video) must not drop packets. The maximum end-to-end latency allowable for the PTPv2 clock signals in a Q-SYS network is 280 µs. Exceeding this limit could cause PTPv2 problems. Each switch hop adds to the latency, so choose and deploy network switches accordingly. For best performance, limit the network span to no more than three switch hops whenever possible. Never exceed five switch hops. Network switches must not mutate Q-SYS IP packet DSCP values. Make sure DSCP remapping (mutation) is not enabled in the switches. To verify in real time, use Wireshark to inspect Q-SYS packets. All switch ports that pass Q-SYS real-time traffic must support strict priority queueing for QoS (DSCP). Do not enable jumbo frames or jumbo packets in a switch that handles Q-SYS traffic because it will affect time-sensitive Q-SYS traffic. Consider having a spare Q-SYS qualified switch for troubleshooting Q-SYS equipment. Substitute the switch in question with the spare one to see if problems remain with the Q-SYS equipment or go away when the original switch is gone. A cost-effect spare switch to consider is the D-Link DGS-1210 Series. Do not use a fabric extender (FEX) switch in a Q-SYS network. Keep the switch firmware up to date. Some network switch manufacturers do not allow downloads of software or firmware without a valid service contract or subscription. Check your user documentation or contact the switch manufacturer. Network planning and configuration The maximum jitter allowable for PTPv2 clock steering is ±30 µs. Excessive jitter could cause PTPv2 problems. Having Q-SYS traffic on a separate network will reduce the risk of problems developing. If it is not possible to put Q-SYS traffic on a separate network or VLAN, create a global DSCP map of all applications used on the network to spot possible QoS conflicts that could affect Q-SYS devices. For best performance, limit each IP subnet size to /24 (i.e., ) no more than 254 devices. Configure no more than one default gateway and place it on a Q-SYS LAN interface (typically on LAN B for VoIP). If you need to reach a remote IP subnet on a second LAN interface or Aux port, use Q-SYS Configurator to add a static route on the Q-SYS core processor. If you use single-mode optical fiber cable for runs shorter than 305 m (1000 ft), you might need to insert attenuators to reduce the optical power and avoid saturating the receiving ports. Assign all general network traffic to lower-priority queues than those that carry Q-SYS PTPv2, audio, and video traffic. Manage the network link loads so they do not exceed 80% of capacity. If possible, keep them to 60% or less for more optimal results. Because QoS and multicast matters can be complicated, it is advisable to have available the services of a qualified network engineer. In lieu of an engineer on staff or on call, end users can seek dealers that offer certified expertise with switches, QoS, and multicast issues. Make sure an adequate budget for professional services is allocated at the planning stages of the project. When you deploy a Q-SYS system, turn on Verbose mode in the core processor. This allows you to monitor the Q-SYS devices in real time and watch for networking issues as devices are added to the network. Revision May

4 Resources Books End-to-End QoS Network Design: Quality of Service for Rich-Media & Cloud Networks (Networking Technology) 2nd Edition ISBN-13: ISBN-10: IP Multicast, Volume I: Cisco IP Multicast Networking (Networking Technology) 1st Edition F8&qid= &sr=1-1&keywords=Multicast ISBN-13: ISBN-10: X Web The Fiber Optic Association Revision May

5 qsc.com 2017 QSC, LLC. All rights reserved. QSC, and the QSC logo are registered trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and other countries. Revision May 2018