e1.31 udp floods

[brianandrus]

All,

I have noticed that others have had this issue where starting LOR control panel with e1.31 interfaces causes the other computers on a network to have grief. In my case, no wifi devices can connect to the internet.

I've started poking around a little (very little) and did some wireshark captures.

I notice that LOR control panel is constantly sending out multicast packets announcing itself.

For you uber-geeks, here is the packet:

00:10:00:00:41:53:43:2d:45:31:2e:31:37:00:00:00:72:6e:00:00:00:04:f6:f4:8c:8d:fe:c4:4c:88:a9:1b:08:65:a9:90:72:dc:72:58:00:00:00:02:4c:69:67:68:74:2d:4f:2d:52:61:6d:61:20:43:6f:6d:6d:20:4c:69:73:74:65:6e:65:72:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:64:00:00:d2:00:00:04:72:0b:02:a1:00:00:00:01:02:01:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00:00

From the ASCII values in there, it looks like nothing more than the control panel announcing "Light-O-Rama Comm Listener"

I am curious if there is a way to limit the frequency of these packets. That would help troubleshoot anyway. It is definitely an issue that needs addressed for anyone with multicast devices (eg e682) on their network.

I would be interested in hearing any other setups folks have that encounter this issue and any workarounds. I have seen some put an entire additional card in their systems to have a separate network.

Brian Andrus

[Tim Fischer]

I had this same issue - if the computer running E1.31 was also connected to a WiFi network, it would bring down my whole wireless network. I "solved" it by telling the computer never to route multicast packets over the WiFi network (thanks to another thread here for the directions on how to do that).

[-klb-]

If it is multicast, it is the actual e1.31 data stream, which will be sent out any time that the control pannel & comm listener are running, and configured for E1.31. Some wireless networks may be more resliient to it than others...

[brianandrus]

Hmm. Sadly, my wifi network is merely an extension of my wired network, so I don't think I can tell the router not to broadcast the udp packets across wifi. Maybe though. I will check.

What is odd to me is that the frequency of the e1.31 packets being sent out by the LOR control panel seems excessive.

I do wish my e682 supported direct connection for receiving e1.31. I think that might have helped too.

[LOR Staff]

If I am not mistaken, the frequency of those broadcasts are specified by the DMX ACN (E1.31) specs.

The problem is most likely within the WAP that is in use. Remember, there is a difference between a $30 network 'thing' and the same thing at $3000.

http://forums.lightorama.com/index.php?/topic/21717-what-im-doing-with-e131/#entry207201

The solution is to break the network into separate segments with a bridge or router between them that will dump the multicast packets, but allow you to talk between them.

From me on another post: "...there are now multiple variables that can and will affect performance. Since we (as a company) don't control the end-to-end experience any longer, the end user is going to need to be more technically savvy to successfully implement an E1.31 installation."

[Tim Fischer]

Hmm. Sadly, my wifi network is merely an extension of my wired network, so I don't think I can tell the router not to broadcast the udp packets across wifi. Maybe though. I will check.

I'm using my laptop with the wired port to go directly to the E681s and the wireless for access to my home network.

[-klb-]

I think he may have been thinking unicast support. If so, and the pc to e682 is all wired with switches, the WAP would not see the unicast e1.31.

[Tim Fischer]

I wonder if there is a technical reason the E68x doesn't support unicast. I wonder if that could be fixed in a future firmware update...

[Tim Fischer]

You should ask Jim... jim at sandevices dot com.

I'm guessing he's swamped this time of year along with all the other vendors - so I'll probably wait to ask until January, or at least after everyone's display is up and running...