How do you set up a redundant Dante network?
Quick answer
To set up a redundant Dante network, connect primary and secondary network interfaces on each Dante device to separate switches, configure both ports for Dante, and enable redundant mode in Dante Controller.
Dante redundancy uses two independent networks (primary and secondary) to ensure audio continues if one fails. Each Dante device must have two network ports: one connected to the primary switch, the other to the secondary switch. These switches should be physically separate and not interconnected.
In Dante Controller, assign the primary and secondary network interfaces to each device. Enable 'Redundant' mode for the device, which sends identical audio streams on both networks. The receiving device automatically switches to the backup stream if the primary is lost, with no audio dropout.
For best reliability, use managed switches with QoS (Dante recommends DiffServ with DSCP values) and enable IGMP snooping to manage multicast traffic. Avoid daisy-chaining switches; use a star topology. SSOUNDS systems integrate seamlessly with Dante networks, and our engineers can assist with configuration for critical applications.
Test redundancy by unplugging the primary network cable while audio is playing. The system should continue without interruption. Monitor network health via Dante Controller's latency and error reporting.
Key things to consider
- Use two separate, isolated network switches for primary and secondary Dante networks.
- Connect both network ports on each Dante device to the respective switches.
- Enable 'Redundant' mode in Dante Controller for each device.
- Configure QoS and IGMP snooping on managed switches for optimal performance.
- Test failover by disconnecting the primary network and verifying uninterrupted audio.
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