How do you set up a redundant Dante network?
Quick answer
Set up a redundant Dante network by configuring two separate Ethernet switches (primary and secondary) with independent cabling, enabling Dante Redundancy on all devices, and connecting each device's primary and secondary ports to the respective switches.
Dante Redundancy provides a fail-safe audio transport by using two independent networks. Each Dante-enabled device has a primary and secondary Ethernet port. The primary network carries audio under normal operation, while the secondary network remains idle until a failure occurs, ensuring seamless switching with zero audio dropout.
To implement, use two managed switches (e.g., Cisco or Netgear AV line) configured with IGMP snooping and QoS for Dante. Connect all primary ports to Switch A and all secondary ports to Switch B. Ensure both networks are physically separate—no crossover cables or shared infrastructure. In Dante Controller, enable Redundancy mode for each device and verify that both interfaces show green status.
For large systems, follow Dante's recommended network topology: star topology with a single switch per network, avoid daisy-chaining, and use CAT6 or better cabling. Test failover by disconnecting a primary link—audio should continue uninterrupted on the secondary path. SSOUNDS DSP and amplifiers support Dante Redundancy, integrating seamlessly into mission-critical installations.
Key things to consider
- Use two separate, physically isolated Ethernet switches for primary and secondary networks.
- Enable Dante Redundancy in Dante Controller for all devices; assign primary and secondary ports correctly.
- Configure switches with IGMP snooping and QoS; avoid VLANs that cross primary/secondary networks.
- Test failover by unplugging a primary cable—audio must continue without glitches on secondary.
- Use CAT6 shielded cable and keep cable runs under 100 meters for reliable 1 Gbps operation.
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