Tesira devices require the use of many network-based features. Tesira devices utilize the Control Network to communicate both with one another and with computers running Tesira software. Additionally, Tesira supports several protocols for transmitting audio or video data over standard data networks, including Audio-Video Bridging (AVB), Dante and CobraNet. Since all of these network-based features use standard data networks, they all must follow basic Ethernet networking rules and available bandwidth considerations. Consult with network switch vendors to verify support for the intended media networks.
Individual network twisted-pair copper cables cannot exceed 100 meters in length, with the exception of fiber optic cables which can extend significantly further.
Network Interfaces on Tesira devices will auto-negotiate so network connections between two devices (without a network switch) or via a network switch should only ever require straight-through Ethernet cables.
Control Network interfaces are assigned both an IP address and a hostname. Tesira SERVER, Server SERVER-IO, TesiraFORTÉ, TesiraLUX and Tesira Amplifier devices are configured by default with a unique hostname derived from a combination of the device type and serial number. Tesira SERVER, SERVER-IO, TesiraFORTÉ, TesiraLUX and Tesira Rack-Mount Amplifier devices are not configured by default with a default IP address, instead they are set to obtain an IP address automatically from a DHCP server. The hostname and IP address of a Tesira server can be modified via Tesira software.
All Parlé microphones and AMP-450P/AMP-450BP do not use IP address-based communications, but rather Layer 2 (AVDECC) for communicating with the Tesira proxy device.
Control Networks can span across subnets, but doing so requires the use of either an external DNS server to resolve hostnames to IP addresses, or the use of a Host Table. When a Host Table is used, server IP addresses must be assigned statically to ensure the IP address does not change.
Detailed network consideration and design best practice articles beyond the scope of this help file are available at support.biamp.com.
The Control Network is used for communications between Tesira devices, as well as communication from Tesira Server and Rack-Mount Amplifier class devices to computers running Tesira software.
Control Network interfaces are assigned both an IP address and a hostname. Tesira devices are configured by default with a unique hostname derived from a combination of the device type and serial number. Tesira devices are not configured by default with a default IP address, instead they are set to obtain an IP address automatically from a DHCP server. The hostname and IP address of a Tesira device can be modified via Tesira software.
Control Networks can span across subnets, but doing so requires the use of either an external DNS server to resolve hostnames to IP addresses, or the use of a Host Table. When a Host Table is used, server IP addresses must be assigned statically to ensure the IP address does not change.
Tesira v 3.8 introduced the Single Network Connection feature which allows the AVB interface to be used for Control Network communications.
Tesira Server class devices include:
NOTE: The TesiraXEL 1200.1 and TesiraXEL 1200.2 networked amplifiers have some of the same network functionality as Server Class devices. Yet for practical purposes these amplifiers are considered Amplifier Class throughout this document.
All Tesira SERVER and Tesira SERVER-IO devices include an SNC card for connection to the Control Network.
SERVER Devices use the SNC-2 Card. SERVER-IO Devices use the SNC-1. The SNC card has a Primary and Secondary network port, and currently the Secondary network port is inactive. The Control Network port is a Gigabit network port, and is compatible with 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s and Gigabit networks.
All TesiraFORTÉ devices include a dedicated connection to the Control Network. The Control Network port is a Gigabit network port, and is compatible with 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s and Gigabit networks.
All TesiraFORTÉ AVB devices also include a dedicated AVB Port to facilitate sharing of AVB audio.
All TesiraFORTÉ DAN devices also include a dedicated Dante port to facilitate sharing of Dante audio.
All TesiraFORTÉ models can be ordered with AVB capability, with Dante capability, or standard (without either). It is not possible to order a device with both AVB and Dante functionality. It is not possible to add or convert hardware to a different model.
The TesiraFORTÉ X is a Dante and AVB capable PoE+ device featuring 5 1 Gbps RJ-45 ports. Four of the ports provide Class 4 PoE+ 30W with effectively no power budget restriction.
All TesiraLUX devices include a dedicated connection to the Control Network. The Control Network port is a Gigabit connection and is compatible with 100/1000 BASE-T networks.
All TesiraLUX devices include a dedicated 1GbE AVB media port and a 10GbE SPF+ AVB media port to facilitate sharing of AVB audio and video. Only one of the AVB media ports may be active at a time.
TesiraLUX devices cannot proxy audio expander-class devices. Only logic and control devices are supported by TesiraLUX.
This includes the Tesira Amplifiers - Rack Mount: AMP-4175R, AMP-4300R CV, AMP-4350R and AMP-8175R hardware devices.
All Amplifier class devices include a dedicated connection to the Control Network. The Control Network port is a Gigabit network port, and is compatible with 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s, and Gigabit networks.
All Amplifiers include dedicated, redundant AVB Ports to facilitate sharing of AVB audio.
The TesiraXEL 1200 amplifiers differ from other Tesira amplifiers in that they have two network ports that may be used for separate control and AVB or daisy-chain. The network ports are compatible with 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s, and Gigabit networks.
In daisy-chain mode, the network ports on the 1200 behave like a two-port Ethernet switch. One port may connect to the main network while the other provides network connectivity to downstream Tesira devices. When the network ports on the 1200 amplifier are configured for daisy-chain mode, there must be at least one Tesira AVB device connected to one of the ports to prevent network loops from occurring due to incorrect wiring (i.e. both ports connected to the same network). A fault will occur if both ports are connected yet neither is connected to a Tesira AVB device.
If a network loop is desired for network redundancy, Tesira has implemented Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) support which prevents network loops from impacting network performance. This allows users to connect both ends of a daisy-chain set of amplifiers to the network to provide path redundancy. RSTP is enabled on the port usage tab of Network Settings when daisy chain is selected. All devices in the daisy chain (including any switches or TesiraCONNECT devices) must also have RSTP enabled.
In redundant mode, both ports serve as redundant AVB ports carrying identical, synchronized audio streams. The primary AVB port also carries the control packets along with any Ethernet packets that do not contain media data.
In separate mode, audio and other networking data are isolated from one another. The secondary AVB ports acts as a dedicated control port carrying control packets along with any Ethernet packets that do not contain media data. The other Ethernet port (media) will act as a dedicated media port, carrying media traffic to and from the amplifier. See Control Network Considerations for detailed information on Control Networks.
Audio Expander-class devices (EX-AEC, EX-IN, EX-OUT, EX-IO, EX-MOD, EX-UBT, Tesira Amplifiers - Plenum Mount, NPX* and Lab.gruppen Amplifier) have a single network port, which often shares responsibility for both AVB and Control Network communications. Audio Expander devices must have a network path to their associated Proxy server. This can either be:
EX-LOGIC, HD-1, TEC-1, TEC-X 1000 and TEC-X 2000 devices have a single network port which shares the Control Network communications so these devices will require access to the Control Network Only.
*Firmware updates and network management are performed by the software communicating directly with the NPX.
NOTE: Although technically expander-class devices, the AMP-450P/AMP-450BP, TCM-1A/TCM-XA will appear in the amplifier and/or microphone sections in other areas of this documentation for practical purposes.
The TesiraCONNECT TC-5 is a room expansion device featuring 5 AVB-capable 1Gbps RJ-45 ports. Four of the ports provide Class 4 PoE+ 30W with effectively no power budget restriction. The TC-5 may connect directly to Tesira Software or via proxy of a server-class device to provide a separated AVB media network.
The TesiraCONNECT TC-5D is a Dante and AVB capable PoE+ device featuring 5 1 Gbps RJ-45 ports. Four of the ports provide Class 4 PoE+ 30W with effectively no power budget restriction. The TC-5D eliminates the need for third-party switches and works out-of-the-box.
| Hardware | IP | VoIP | POTS | USB | AVB | AVB -1722.1 | CobraNet | Dante | RS-232 |
Bluetooth |
| Tesira SERVER | Yes | With SVC-2 | With STC-2 | No | With AVB-1 | With AVB-1 | With SCM-1 | With DAN-1 | 2 ports | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesira SERVER-IO | Yes | With SVC-2 | With STC-2 | No | With AVB-1 | With AVB-1 | With SCM-1 | With DAN-1 | 2 ports | No |
| TesiraFORTÉ | Yes | VT, VT4 or VI | VT, VT4 or TI | Yes | No | No | No | No | 1 port | No |
| TesiraFORTÉ AVB | Yes | VT AVB, VT4 AVB or VI AVB | VT AVB, VT4 AVB or TI AVB | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 1 port | No |
| TesiraFORTÉ DANTE | Yes | VT Dante, VT4 Dante or VI Dante | VT Dante, VT4 Dante or TI Dante | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | 1 port | No |
|
TesiraFORTÉ X |
Yes |
VT, VT4 or VI |
VT, VT4 or TI |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
1 port |
No |
| TesiraLUX | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | 1 port | No |
| Tesira Amplifier - Rack Mount | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Audio Expander | via Server or TesiraFORTÉ Proxy | No | No | EX-UBT only | Yes | No | No | NPX Only | No | EX-UBT only |
| AMP-450P/AMP-450BP | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| TCM-1A/TCM-XA/TTM-X | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| EX-LOGIC | via Server or TesiraFORTÉ Proxy | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | 1 port | No |
Tesira supports 802.1X, which is an IEEE standard for port-based Network Access Control (PNAC) and is part of the IEEE 802.1 group of networking protocols. 802.1X provides an authentication method for connecting devices to a Tesira system. 802.1X authentication requires that a device present certification in the form of a password or certificate depending on the mode set during configuration. All settings for 802.1X are configured from Configure_802.1X.