Networks are used within a theatre and performance situation for a variety of reasons such as lighting control and computer-to-computer communication. This document outlines the basics of addressing a device to communicate with other equipment in TFTS.
Every device that can access, or can be accessed on, a network will have a unique identifier known as a MAC (Media Access Control) address. MAC addresses are assigned by the manufacturer and cannot be changed.
A MAC address is made up of six octets (pairs of characters). The first three pairs identify the manufacturer (assigned by the IEEE), and the last three identify the individual device.
B8-CA-3A tells us the device was manufactured by Dell Technologies, and 8C-62-96 is unique to that specific machine.
The IP (Internet Protocol) address is the series of numbers used to identify and communicate with a device on a network. Unlike a MAC address, it can be changed.
Each octet can range from 0 to 255, though typically 1–254 are used as 0 and 255 have special purposes.
The four octets can help identify characteristics of a device and control communication between devices.
The first two octets are the network identifiers. In TFTS we use 1.2.x.x for standalone show networks, separate from the university network.
The last two octets define the individual device. The third octet is used to categorise device types:
| x.x.1.x | Wireless Router |
| x.x.2.x | Lighting Console |
| x.x.3.x | LumiNode2 |
| x.x.4.x | Pixelite 4 mk2 |
| x.x.5.x | Laptop / PC / Phone / iPad |
| x.x.6.x | Sound |
| x.x.7.x | Other |
The final octet is the device’s unique identifier, ranging from 1 to 254.
Note: Avoid using 169 as the first octet, as this is reserved for self-assigned addresses when a device cannot obtain an IP.
The subnet mask has the same format as an IP address and controls which devices can communicate with each other.
If an octet is set to 255, the device will only communicate with devices that match that octet.
If an octet is set to 0, the device can communicate with any value in that position.
So:
• 255.255.255.255 → talks only to itself
• 0.0.0.0 → talks to everything
We recommend using 255.255.0.0, allowing communication with all devices on the TFTS network (matching first two octets).
The default gateway is where data is sent when the destination device is not found on the local network. This is typically a router connecting the LAN to a wireless network.
There are different ways of assigning IP addresses, including DHCP and Static IP.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, and leases to devices when they connect to a network. The lease defines how long the device keeps that address before renewing it.
Static IP is manually set on each device and does not change unless updated by the user.
In TFTS we use Static IP addressing. Although it requires more setup, it ensures devices always have the same address, making systems easier to manage and troubleshoot.
Network switches act as central hubs with multiple ethernet ports. In TFTS we use unmanaged switches.
These simply receive data and forward it to all connected devices, acting as a junction without advanced routing or filtering.
The information provided on this and other pages by Stephen Griffiths (stg12@aber.ac.uk) is under personal responsibility and does not represent the views of Aberystwyth University.