Specification Verbiage
Copy this text directly into your CobraNet audio system specification:
There are some big differences between switched networks and repeater hub networks, so make sure you choose the specification text that is appropriate for your design. If your network uses repeater hubs, use the CobraNet Repeater Network text. If your network consists of switches, use the CobraNet Switched Network text.
For more information about the differences between switched CobraNet networks and CobraNet repeater hub networks, visit our Switch vs. Repeater section.
CobraNet Repeater Network
The audio transmission and distribution system shall be a low latency (less than 10 ms) digital audio system operating over industry standard Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX). A sample rate of 48 kHz shall be used, with a word length of 16, 20, or 24 bits as determined by the audio network device (a device which converts analog or digital audio inputs or outputs to Fast Ethernet) interfacing audio to the network. With a 20-bit word length, the capacity of a single network shall be at least 64 audio channels. The latency from any input to any output shall be a constant to within 1/2 sample. All infrastructure components of the audio transmission and distribution system including, copper cables, optical fiber cables, repeater hubs and media converters shall be standard devices designed to interface Fast Ethernet. Analog and digital audio shall be interfaced to the Fast Ethernet network by the use of audio network devices. Using Fast Ethernet, Category 5 UTP cable shall be usable for distances of up to 100 meters per link and multi-mode fiber shall be usable for distances up to 2,000 meters per link. The possible network diameter shall be at least 2,000 meters. All audio network devices shall be capable of broadcasting their audio to all other audio network devices on the network.
CobraNet Switched Network
The audio transmission and distribution system shall be a low latency (less than 10 ms) digital audio system operating over industry standard Ethernet (100BASE-TX, 100BASE-FX and/or Gigabit). A sample rate of 48 kHz shall be used, with a word length of 16, 20, or 24 bits as determined by the audio network device (a device which converts analog or digital audio inputs and outputs to Fast Ethernet) interfacing audio to the network. With a 20-bit word length, the capacity of a single link shall be at least 64 audio channels in each direction. All infrastructure components of the audio transmission and distribution system including, copper cables, optical fiber cables, switches, media converters, up links, and edge devices, shall be standard devices designed to interface Fast Ethernet. Analog and digital audio shall be interfaced to the Fast Ethernet network by the use of audio network devices. Using 100Mbit Fast Ethernet, Category 5 UTP cable shall be usable for distances up to 100 meters per link, multi-mode fiber shall be usable for distances up to 2,000 meters per link, and single-mode fiber shall be usable for distances beyond 2,000 meters depending upon the fiber system in use. All audio network devices shall be capable of either broadcasting their audio to all other audio network devices on the network, or selectively sending their audio to just certain other audio network devices. When used with appropriate switches, audio network devices shall be capable of co-existing on a network with computers and other data sources.
If your network will utilize “managed switched” add this qualification as well:
Standard switched Ethernet techniques for building higher capacity and highly available networks shall be usable, including Spanning Tree Protocol, Trunking and Quality of Service.