Multicaster

Multicaster is a small Windows programme aimed at helping developers/engineers to diagnose whether sACN/multicast networks are well configured. The Multicaster application is bundled with our free DMX-Workshop software package.

To download the DMX-Workshop suite, please complete the brief registration form. The .exe file installs a full suite of applications including DMX-Workshop, Bandwidth-Tester, Art-Route, Multicaster, rdmInspect and ACT.

Multicaster is bundled with our free DMX-Workshop software package.

Multicaster is a small Windows programme aimed at helping developers/engineers to diagnose whether sACN/multicast networks are well configured. In a badly configured network (where multicast is being converted to broadcast), everything will seem fine until it breaks.

The application connects via two network interfaces, both connected to ports on the same switch. That allows Multicaster to send packets and analyse the results.

To download the DMX-Workshop suite, please complete the brief registration form. The .exe file installs a full suite of applications including DMX-Workshop, Bandwidth-Tester, Art-Route, Multicaster, rdmInspect and ACT.

Resources

Multicaster investigations

wdt_ID Entry Manufacturer Part Number Firmware version Multicast support claimed Multicast support detected by Multicaster II How was the network setup Conclusions Tested by Date
1 1 Netgear GS728TPP 6.0.1.16 512/1024 510 The switch was configured as a querier and snooping enabled. sACN friendly switch up to around 500 universes. Wayne Howell / Artistic Licence 02/06/2019
2 2 TP-Link TL-SG105S Not visible Claims to be snooping capable 0 This is an unmanaged switch so no specific setup, although connected to a Netgear GS728TPP operating as a querier. Not sACN friendly. Wayne Howell / Artistic Licence 02/06/2019
3 3 Netgear GS105EV2 1.6.06 64-128 depending on bandwidth 127-128 The switch was configured as a querier and snooping enabled. sACN friendly switch up to around 100 universes. Thierry Dupont / Robert Juliat 11/06/2020
4 4 Zyxel GS1200 2/27/2023 Undefined 125 Snooping enabled Supports 125 universes sACN Mark Lapierre 27/02/2023
5 5 Netgear GS108T 2/27/2023 Undefined 164 Snooping enabled Supports 164 universes sACN Mark Lapierre 27/02/2023
6 6 Cisco CBS250-8FP-E-2G 3.2.0.84 255 253 The switch was configured as a querier and snooping enabled, unregistered multicast is filtered. Supports 253 universes sACN Mark Tober 13/03/2023
7 7 Ubiquiti USW-24-PoE 5.76.7.13442 Not documented 0 The switch was configured as a querier and snooping enabled, but it's impossible to disable the flooding of unknown multicast. Not sACN friendly. Mark Tober 13/03/2023