ArtNet Node problem

[tcgass]

I'm running again into a problem with a "Eurolite ArtNet Node 1" like I did a couple of years ago - unfortunately I can't remember the solution I found then ;-)..
The Node is setup for the client's network and can be pinged, but does not appear in QLab's (V4) Workspace Status window. Broadcast mode for artnet lighting is enabled...

Any idea how to solve this?

Thanks for any hint, Thomas

[micpool]

Universe offset +1?

[tcgass]

yeah, QLab starts counting with 0, the Eurolite node with 1, I've checked that already... The node is completely invisible in the Workspace Status window...

[Sam Kusnetz]

On Mar 9, 2023 at 3:25:41 PM, tcgass <tcg...@gmail.com> wrote:

yeah, QLab starts counting with 0, the Eurolite node with 1, I've checked that already... The node is completely invisible in the Workspace Status window...

The reason the node is invisible is that it does not properly support the full Art-net protocol. Eurolite is a budget brand, and like most budget hardware, you end up paying in time what you’ve saved in money.

First, ensure that the Mac and the Eurolite node are both physically connected to the same network and are both successfully communicating with that network. It’s much easier to do that for the Mac; I don’t know what kind of configuration or troubleshooting tools are available for the Eurolite node.

Next, make sure the Mac and the Eurolite node are both using IP addresses which are compatible with each other and with the network. For example, if the network has a router with an IP address of 192.168.1.1, your Mac and the node could be addressed as 192.168.1.2 and 192.168.1.3, both with subnet masks of 255.255.255.0.

If you think this is all correct, you should be able to open Terminal and ping the node by typing:

ping 192.168.1.2

(replace that address with the actual address of your node.)

If you see something like “Request timeout for icmp_seq” then the Mac is not able to contact the node, and you have a network problem.

If you see something like "64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=64 time=0.807 ms” then your Mac is successfully contacting the node, and you have either a QLab patching problem or a node configuration problem.

I’d try these things and see what they yield.

Good luck!

Sam

—

Sam Kusnetz (he/him) | Figure 53

s...@figure53.com

[Jason James]

It is good practice to use ArtNet address ranges. 2.0.0.0/8 or 10.0.0.0/8

Eg. Node at 2.0.0.1 and computer at 2.0.0.200. 

[tcgass]

Thanks Sam for all your suggestions! When pinging the device from terminal in fact I get a "wrong total length 60 instead of 84" error message... I think my client better changes this low cost device for something more reliable... ;-)

Thomas

[Rich Walsh]

That feels a little weird: 2.x.x.x addresses are in a public range, so isn’t that going to create all sorts of problems if you start using them for devices on a LAN*?

2.0.0.1 and 2.0.0.200 both belong to Orange in France. I feel like you should stick to the private range 10.0.0.0/8 for a start? Is there something special about Art-Net that allows it to use public IP addresses in a private network?

Rich

*(If any part of it connects to the Internet)

[micpool]

I think there is common misconception about ArtNet IP addresses..

The ArtNet  spec specifies that a device should default to 2.x.x.x if the network switch is set off, and 10.x.x.x if it is set on. This is so the devices are essentially plug and play on a closed network, without configuration, as the rest of the default will be calculated from the MAC address of the unit.

You can however program the devices to   any  static address scheme, or DHCP if supported by your unit, which I don’t think is the case with the Eurolite.

Mic

[Sam Kusnetz]

On Mar 10, 2023 at 5:52:01 AM, micpool <m...@micpool.com> wrote:

I think my client better changes this low cost device for something more reliable... ;-)

I love this plan!

I recommend, in ascending order of price:

DMXking

Enttec

Doug Fleenor

Luminex

Pathway

ETC Net3 nodes can also speak Art-net and are very well built, but you need a Windows utility to configure them to do it.

I’m sure there are others, but these are the ones I know and trust.

Best

[tcgass]

Update: we changed the node for a "Showtec Net-2/3 Pocket" and everything works like a charm now!
Thanks for all your hints and support!
Thomas