SnakeSys Products
The SnakeSys Product range currently includes:
SnakeSys B4 |
A four universe Ethernet to DMX convertor. It supports four DMX512 ports that are configurable as either inputs or outputs, and one DMX port that is always assigned as an input. |
SnakeSys R4 |
A four universe multi-purpose network distribution node comprising DMX output ports, DMX input ports and multiple network ports in a 1U rack |
SnakeSys T2 |
A truss mountable two universe Ethernet to DMX convertor with an in-built network switch. Each universe has three separate outputs removing the need for a separate DMX buffer. |
SnakeSys R8 |
An eight universe Ethernet to DMX convertor in a 1U rack. It supports eight DMX512 ports that are configurable as either inputs or outputs, and also features dual network ports. |
SnakeSys Philosophy
SnakeSys network products enable DMX data, media data and control data to be distributed throughout the lighting rig from control consoles to fixtures. SnakeSys products can be used with any lighting console or media server - they are independent of MagicQ products.
SnakeSys products are designed and manufactured in the UK using quality electronic components, and are designed for reliability. Wherever possible, all components are mounted on a single circuit board to avoid the need for interconnecting cables. SnakeSys products are designed at a "chip" level, rather than repackaging IT products.
SnakeSys products use professional locking Neutrik Ethercon connectors for all network connections, this avoiding the limited lifetime associated with traditional RJ45 network plugs and sockets.
SnakeSys products use professional locking Neutrik Powercon connectors for power input, ensuring a reliable power input. All SnakeSys products accept voltages from 90V to 250V AC without needing any changes.
Where appropriate, SnakeSys products have in-built battery backup to protect against unexpected power loss.
SnakeSys products support Power over Ethernet - the SnakeSys B4 and T2 can both be powered directly from the R4 rack nodes and switches using Power over Ethernet rather than from the mains - this reduces the number of cables in the system.
SnakeSys products support firmware updates over the network, enabling the products to be easily upgraded to support new features.
Networking
SnakeSys products support Art-Net I, Art-Net II and Art-Net III, along with ACN Streaming DMX network protocols. The DMX512 ports are fully configurable with DMX packet length, framing rate, and timings.
All SnakeSys products ship with a 2.X.X.X IP address and 255.0.0.0 Subnet Mask as standard. For most situations when just connecting a single SnakeSys product to a MagicQ console this IP address does not need to be changed.
It is important that any consoles, PCs or Macs that will be communicating with SnakeSys products are set to IP addresses within the IP address range that is set on the SnakeSys.
SnakeSys products have inbuilt Ethernet switches with auto MDI/MDIX detection, so when connecting directly between a PC/Console and SnakeSys products a cross over Ethernet cable is not required.
If you change the IP address of the SnakeSys product it will not show up again in Net Manager until you have reconfigured the network on your system to be within the same range as the Interface. Wherever possible the IP address should be kept on the 2.x.x.x network. On a SnakeSys B4 and R4 there is no display panel to show the current IP address on the unit - so if you forget the IP address range then you may need to factory reset the unit.
All SnakeSys products unlock MagicQ PC/Mac Software from Demo mode when connected over network regardless of the mode set up on the SnakeSys product, allowing access to the restricted features of MagicQ.
SnakeSys products with USB ports are for initial factory programming and should not be connected under normal use.