Setting up Multi-Console System
Eos Family Multi-Console System
A Multi-Console System is when two or more lighting consoles are able to work from the same show file. In order to accomplish this, one console is set as the Primary and another console is either in Backup, Client, or Mirror. Once the connection is established, the show file is being read and in some cases edited by multiple sources at the same time. A Multi-Console System can contain one Primary Eos device, one Backup Eos device, and (if available) multiple Clients synchronized together.
Requirements
- Software versions must match exactly between all devices
- All devices have to use the same Fixture Library
- The language settings must match
- The keyboard language setting must match
- A physical network connection between devices using a network switch
Definitions
By default, Eos Family consoles will start as a Primary—the Primary is the device that all other Eos devices can connect and synchronize with. This will be the device that is actively outputting to the rest of the system. Should the Primary go down or go offline for any reason, then the Backup will take over as Master.
Backup is when two consoles are connected together over the network and are looking out if the Primary goes offline for any reason. If the primary goes offline the backup will automatically takeover as the master if Backup auto switch has been enabled. Output to the lighting rig with then transfer to the Backup console.
Any online Eos device that is not the Primary or the Backup, is a Client. Client data is sent and received over the network, and Clients will synchronize with the designated Master console.
Mirror Mode is a mirrored view of any of the devices found on the network. It does not extend the display of that selected console, only replicates it on a secondary device. Mirror Mode does not allow for remote control of the Eos device it is mirroring.
System Setup
A Multi-Console System is created by connecting devices over a network system. We will need to make sure that all devices are connected through a physical Ethernet connection and are all routed back to a network switch so that the data transfer may be possible. In order to connect these devices together the network IP scheme will need to be similar enough that the devices can see and connect to one another. By default the IP scheme for a Eos Family Console is IP: 10.101.x.x for port 1. Connecting your devices to port 1 on the Eos devices you have back to a network switch will create a system. You can find the exact default IP for your console through this link ETC Network IP Addresses.
Once your devices are on the network with the proper IP schemes then we will need to make sure that one of the devices is in primary, and then we can place the other Eos devices one of the other three modes. Once the connection is established and the devices have synchronized then we will be ready to work with our Multi-Console System.