A quick guide to IP addressing

Every device on a network must have a unique IP address. IP addresses have the format w.x.y.z where w, x, y and z are numbers between 0 and 255, for example 192.168.0.1. The address can be set manually (this is called a Static IP address) or can be automatically allocated by the network (using a system called DHCP). In lighting networks static addressing is normally used, it takes a bit more time to set up but you then know for sure what the address is for each device.

For devices to be able to "see" each other on the network, they must be in the same Subnet - this is the first part of the IP address. Each device has a Subnet Mask which sets the parts of the IP address which must match for the devices to be able to see each other, and which parts must be different.

Subnet Masks are often set to 255.255.255.0 which means that the w x and y numbers must match but the z number must be different. So if the console was set at 192.168.1.1 then the subnet would be 192.168.1.z and all the other devices would be 192.168.1.2, 192.168.1.3 and so on.

If your IP address is allocated by DHCP then the Subnet Mask is set automatically. Subnet masks are sometimes referred to as /24 or /8, this is the number of bits set to 1 in the mask. Each number in the mask is 8 bits so 255.255.255.0 can also be called /24, or 255.0.0.0. would be /8.

Choosing an IP address and Subnet Mask

This is the hardest part of setting up a network as a suitable IP address totally depends on what you are using on the network and what IP addresses you can and cannot change. Some older Art-Net equipment is fixed to the address range 2.x.y.z or 10.x.y.z which means everything else has to use that range as well. But if none of your equipment is fixed, the address range 192.168.1.x is often used.

Below are a number of example scenarios for standard lighting networks using a Titan console and what IP addresses should be set. These aren't guaranteed to work but try them if the scenario matches your network.

Titan and TNP with all output operating as standard DMX

Device	IP Address	Subnet Mask
Titan Console	192.168.1.30	255.255.255.0
TNP	192.168.1.31	255.255.255.0

Titan outputting over Art-Net Fixtures (and DMX)

Device	IP Address	Subnet Mask
Titan Console	10.100.100.100	255.0.0.0
Art-Net Fixtures	10.x.y.z *	255.0.0.0

(the 2.x.y.z range can also be used for Art-Net if required but see section on Private Address ranges below).

* Where a combination of x, y and z are unique for these fixtures.

Titan and TNP outputting over Art-Net (and DMX)

Device	IP Address	Subnet Mask
Titan Console	2.100.100.100	255.0.0.0
TNP	2.100.100.101	255.0.0.0
Art-Net Fixtures	2.x.y.z *	255.0.0.0

Alternatively:

Device	IP Address	Subnet Mask
Titan Console	10.100.100.100	255.0.0.0
TNP	10.100.100.101	255.0.0.0
Art-Net Fixtures	10.x.y.z *	255.0.0.0

* Where a combination of x, y and z are unique for these fixtures.

It's best to avoid using 255 in the IP address because if the unmasked part of an IP address is set to 255, this acts as a broadcast address (for example 192.168.1.255 would be a broadcast address if the mask is 255.255.255.0, or 10.255.255.255 would be broadcast if the mask is 255.0.0.0).

If your network is connected to the internet

If at all possible you should use a dedicated network for lighting with no external connections. However if your network has to be connected to the internet it is important to use one of the following ranges of private IP addresses. These are special IP addresses that will not be routed onto the internet. They are:

Start Address	Final Address	Subnet Mask
10.0.0.0	10.255.255.255	255.0.0.0 (/8)
172.16.0.0	172.31.255.255	255.240.0.0 (/12)
192.168.0.0	192.168.255.255	255.255.0.0 (/16)

For Art-Net, the 10.x.y.z range may need to be used if you have devices which are fixed to this address range.