ZerOS Dongle - Info

[Uriahdemon]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a dongle as a back up to my FLX.  I was wondering if I would be constrained to only 1 universe.  Does anyone have any information on this please....??

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

The Phantom ZerOS Unlock dongle will unlock the number of universes of the console you choose from the Phantom Choose Desk drop down - for example if you choose an 8 Universe FLX this would allow 8 universes via the PC’s Ethernet port.

Hope this helps,

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed, I have just received the dongle today.

Unfortunately there were no instructions with it and I cant find any on the site.  

Basically I was wanting to know:

• What needs to be done to unlock Phantom OS is it just a case of plugging the dongle into the laptop running it and it will be picked up
• Is the use of it restricted to one device only or can I operate it on any number of devices 
• Can I copy the contents just in case I lose the dongle and will it work if copied onto another USB stick

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

Really glad to hear you purchased the dongle - you can now output 16 universes of DMX over ArtNet or sACN, which is very powerful from a PC based system.

There are no files on the dongle, so you won’t be able to copy an unlock file from it.

The dongle can however be used with any Windows PC. PhantomZerOS will only be unlocked whilst the dongle is connected. 

When you are running PhantomZerOS as a FLX with the dongle connected, you can check Phantom has been unlocked, by pressing SHIFT + F9 to open System Information. You can then press System Info, and the dongle hardware should be shown at the bottom of the list.

Hope this helps and makes sense, if you have any questions let me know. 

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

Thanks Ed,  I will be having a play this week to set everything up with the FLX for a tracking back up. Fingers crossed . !!

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

1 hour ago, Uriahdemon said:

Thanks Ed,  I will be having a play this week to set everything up with the FLX for a tracking back up. Fingers crossed . !!

Great - if you have any questions let me know.

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed,  so reasonably successful but not entirely.

The dongle is recognised by the laptop given the instructions you provided above.

When I am using the FLX in control mode all is good and I am successfully getting fixtures to do as they should. Also on the Ethernet Node the Activity lamp indicates signal being received so all good on that front.  When I take control on the laptop the Ethernet Node Activity lamp goes from constant to intermittent flashes and I cannot control any fixtures.

Cabling has been set up as per the networking guide and I have set the subnet mask on the Ethernet Node to 255.255.255.0 and the IP address 192.168.1.206.  

Are there any settings required on the actual laptop required for it to output please...??

Rgds

Mac

[Jon Hole]

12 hours ago, Uriahdemon said:

Are there any settings required on the actual laptop required for it to output please

Hi Mac,

Are you able to confirm the IP address and Subnet of your laptop? You need to ensure that the same IP address is selected in Phantom ZerOS under "Tracking Backup".

For completeness: you're laptop can have multiple IP addresses - eg Ethernet, WiFi etc. Phantom ZerOS will need to use one of these (unlike a physical console, where you can define any IP address you wish). Phantom ZerOS lists all of the available IP addresses on your laptop so you can select the one you wish to use. Therefore, you need to configure one of these on your laptop (within Windows Control Panel) to be the correct settings, and then ensure that's the one that's selected within Phantom.

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

44 minutes ago, Jon Hole said:

Therefore, you need to configure one of these on your laptop

Instructions for changing the IP address of your laptop can be found in the article below...

http://support.zero88.com/1004254221

If you have any questions let us know.

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

56 minutes ago, Jon Hole said:

You need to ensure that the same IP address is selected in Phantom ZerOS under "Tracking Backup"

Hi Jon, thanks for the info.  I have not got access to the kit until tonight but I will give this a try.  I have this laptop set up originally to run Capture.  Can I set the same IP address for that within Phantom ZerOS please......  or should I use something different.....??

[Uriahdemon]

16 minutes ago, Edward- Z88 said:

Hi Mac,

Instructions for changing the IP address of your laptop can be found in the article below...

http://support.zero88.com/1004254221

If you have any questions let us know.

Edward

Thanks Ed, much appreciated.

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

7 minutes ago, Uriahdemon said:

I have this laptop set up originally to run Capture.  Can I set the same IP address for that within Phantom ZerOS please......  or should I use something different.....??

The IP used for Capture visualisation software will have to be the same as Phantom ZerOS Tracking Backup. This is because they are both using the laptop's Ethernet port, which as Jon mentioned, can only have a single IP address. On your console, the IP addresses will of course have to be different to the IP of the laptop, however Tracking Backup and CITP may be the same IP if you wish.

To quickly check the IP address of your laptop, on your laptop hold the Windows key and press R, then type "cmd" and click OK. Then type the command "ipconfig" and press enter. This will give you a break down of the IP addresses and subnets of the different NICs (Network Interface Cards) of the laptop, including the physical Ethernet port and WiFi.

Hope this helps,

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

5 minutes ago, Edward- Z88 said:

Hi Mac,

The IP used for Capture visualisation software will have to be the same as Phantom ZerOS Tracking Backup. This is because they are both using the laptop's Ethernet port, which as Jon mentioned, can only have a single IP address. On your console, the IP addresses will of course have to be different to the IP of the laptop, however Tracking Backup and CITP may be the same IP if you wish.

To quickly check the IP address of your laptop, on your laptop hold the Windows key and press R, then type "cmd" and click OK. Then type the command "ipconfig" and press enter. This will give you a break down of the IP addresses and subnets of the different NICs (Network Interface Cards) of the laptop, including the physical Ethernet port and WiFi.

Hope this helps,

Edward

Excellent, thanks Ed. I will get onto this tonight.

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed, Jon,

Just about there but only one snag remaining.  When I open up Phantom ZerOS Tracking Backup always defaults to an old (now unavailable) IP address.  Is there any way I can remove those old addresses or ensure the one I need is picked up automatically please...??

Rgds  Mac

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

When Phantom ZerOS is opened, it should use the last selected IP for each protocol, if it is still available for the laptop's chosen NIC.

If you haven't already, I would recommend restarting your PC. You should then find when Phantom is opened after restarting, the last selected IP is available.

You will usually see 3 IP addresses in this window, the PC's Ethernet IP, the PC's WiFi IP, and the PC's loop-back IP, which will be 127.0.0.1.

Which IP does Phantom seem to keep reverting to when opened?

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed, just a little more on this.  My apologies its not the 'Tracking Backup' setting it is the 'Artnet4' setting.  When I have PhantomZerOS open and the correct Artnet4 IP selected i.e. 192.168.1.10 then all works fine.  If I take control on the FLX and then back to the laptop (so still running Phantom ZerOS) the IP address changes and I have to go into it and select 192.168.1.10 again for it to work.  In Artnet4 there are 4 IP addresses listed these are 192.168.1.10 (the one I set up and works)/127.0.0.1 (as you mention)/192.168.1.155 and 192.168.1.100 which is marked (Not Available)  I set this one up a couple of days ago when I was getting this set up but have everything on 192.168.1.10 now.  Any ideas please....??

Rgds Mac

[Uriahdemon]

Sorry to add on this I have just noticed that the Tracking Backup window that appears when the FLX has control states 192.168.1.100 as Master and 192.168.1.10 as Backup...  pic attached....??

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

So what ArtNet IP does Phantom seem to keep changing to?

What is the ArtNet IP of the master FLX?

46 minutes ago, Uriahdemon said:

Sorry to add on this I have just noticed that the Tracking Backup window that appears when the FLX has control states 192.168.1.100 as Master and 192.168.1.10 as Backup...  pic attached....??

This is correct. What are you finding is an issue with this?

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed,  thanks for pointing this out.  The Master is indeed 192.168.1.100. I will re-jig things tonight and see where we go.

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed,  I have been reading up on Artnet/Ethernet and understand the basics but what I dont understand are the data flows in relation to the config requirements on Phantom ZerOS and the FLX console.  Do I set the same addresses on the console and Phantom ZerOS for all the config elements or not.  Sorry I am probably not explaining this very well due to my inexperience in this area so could I please ask for your help on the following. 

Just for completeness my setup is a laptop running Phantom ZerOS with an unlock dongle and CAPTURE, an FLX console with two wings a Netgear 5 port switch to the Showtec Net8/5 DMX Ethernet node.

The set up I would like to achieve is Tracking Backup, CAPTURE being activated by both the Phantom ZerOS and FLX console when either is Master and ZerOS Remote Monitor.

If I scrubbed everything back to start what IP addresses would you recommend I set up on all the devices to achieve that please.

 

Again, apologies for being a pain.

 

Rgds

 

Mac

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

The IP addresses can be whatever you wish. However, I've created a small example below:

FLX:

- ArtNet IP - Primary (2.x.x.x)

- Tracking Backup Master - 2.1.1.10

- CITP (for Capture) 2.1.1.20

- Remote IP - 2.1.1.30

Laptop IP - 2.1.1.1

When you have configured your laptop's IP, and the console's IP addresses, open Phantom ZerOS. On Phantom go into Setup -> Devices -> Tracking Backup -> Mode -> Backup. Choose the 2.1.1.1 IP. If the master console isn't automatically detected, click Manual entry, and input the Master console's Master IP.

Then click Fixture Schedule, and hold SHIFT + F10 to exit Setup. You should be offered to synchronise with the Master. Choose to take the show file from the Master. When synchronised, click Take Control on Phantom. Hold SHIFT and tap F10 to open Setup -> Universes -> ArtNet - you should find the FLX's ArtNet IP has been chosen, and is being reported as unavailable. Configure Phantom to use the laptop's Ethernet IP. Under CITP, you should find the console's CITP IP has been chosen, and is reported as unavailable. Change this to be the laptop's 127.0.0.1 loop-back IP address. Then go to Devices, and also ensure your Remote IP is the laptop's address. Then click Fixture Schedule, and hold SHIFT + F10 to exit Setup. Then click Take Control on the Master console. You will be given a pop-up, to state the show files are not synchronised. Ensure you choose to take the show file from the backup.

When you have done this the console will have stored Phantom's IP settings. You should then find you can either switch FLX off, disconnect from the network, or manually take control using Phantom, and Phantom will take control.

Hope this helps and makes sense, if you have any questions let me know.

Happy to discuss this over the phone if that is easier.

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

37 minutes ago, Edward- Z88 said:

Hi Mac,

The IP addresses can be whatever you wish. However, I've created a small example below:

FLX:

- ArtNet IP - Primary (2.x.x.x)

- Tracking Backup Master - 2.1.1.10

- CITP (for Capture) 2.1.1.20

- Remote IP - 2.1.1.30

Laptop IP - 2.1.1.1

When you have configured your laptop's IP, and the console's IP addresses, open Phantom ZerOS. On Phantom go into Setup -> Devices -> Tracking Backup -> Mode -> Backup. Choose the 2.1.1.1 IP. If the master console isn't automatically detected, click Manual entry, and input the Master console's Master IP.

Then click Fixture Schedule, and hold SHIFT + F10 to exit Setup. You should be offered to synchronise with the Master. Choose to take the show file from the Master. When synchronised, click Take Control on Phantom. Hold SHIFT and tap F10 to open Setup -> Universes -> ArtNet - you should find the FLX's ArtNet IP has been chosen, and is being reported as unavailable. Configure Phantom to use the laptop's Ethernet IP. Under CITP, you should find the console's CITP IP has been chosen, and is reported as unavailable. Change this to be the laptop's 127.0.0.1 loop-back IP address. Then go to Devices, and also ensure your Remote IP is the laptop's address. Then click Fixture Schedule, and hold SHIFT + F10 to exit Setup. Then click Take Control on the Master console. You will be given a pop-up, to state the show files are not synchronised. Ensure you choose to take the show file from the backup.

When you have done this the console will have stored Phantom's IP settings. You should then find you can either switch FLX off, disconnect from the network, or manually take control using Phantom, and Phantom will take control.

Hope this helps and makes sense, if you have any questions let me know.

Happy to discuss this over the phone if that is easier.

Edward

Thanks very Ed,  that is really appreciated.  I will step through it all tonight.

Rgds Mac

[Uriahdemon]

Hi Ed, 

ArtNet IP - Primary (2.x.x.x)  can I put any value in there i.e. 2.5.5.5.....??

[Edward Z88]

Hi Mac,

Under ArtNet, there is the option for a Primary 2.x.x.x IP, or a secondary 10.x.x.x. Each FLX will generate a unique IP to transmit on either the 2. Or 10. Range. However, if you wish to define an IP, you can choose “Static”, and type any IP. You can also choose to use the DHCP address. 

Hope this helps, if you have any questions let me know. 

Edward

[Uriahdemon]

On 10/25/2019 at 5:33 PM, Uriahdemon said:

Hi Ed, 

ArtNet IP - Primary (2.x.x.x)  can I put any value in there i.e. 2.5.5.5.....??

Hi Ed,  things not quite going as planned.  The IP addresses on PhantomOS are continually changing (when switching desk and Laptop on/off).  When I have reset them (on which ones I can i.e. Artnet on Phantom ZerOS to be on the laptops ethernet IP which I have set to 2.1.1.40 it is picking it up but showing as (not Available).  I reset the desk and PhantomOS and started from scratch with your instructions but I am afraid there is something else needed/at play which is not helping this.

Rgds Mac