Introduction
The MADRIX Backup System (Master/Slave) is a type of communication protocol between two or more MADRIX computers in order to set up a professional backup solution.
'Keep alive messages' are sent by one MADRIX computer to other computers to check if the connection between the computers is working properly. If the Master fails, i.e. if the Master does not send 'keep-alive-messages' in a certain time interval (in seconds) as defined by the "Keep Alive Time", the Slave is automatically activated and sends the DMX512 data. In like manner, the Slave is sending 'keep alive messages'.
Make sure that both computers are equipped with a MADRIX software license (e.g. a MADRIX KEY) and the same MADRIX software version.
How Does It Work? - Instructions
To configure the MADRIX Backup System, please navigate to the menu "Preferences" -> "Backup System". This will open a new window.
Activating the switch "On" in the top left corner enables the backup solution. If your computer or laptop is equipped with more than one network card, you will be able to choose the appropriate network in the large drop-down list.
By activating the "Check KEY" switch, you can automatically monitor if the MADRIX software protection key is is plugged into that remote computer. Additionally, you will be able to identify the MADRIX version since it is shown in the list how many DMX universes are supported.
You can set up the "Keep Alive Time" with a time range of 0.1 to 25.6 seconds. This is the duration between two keep-alive transmissions.
If you activate "Receive Sync Command From Master", this computer will receive synchronization data from another computer (Master).
You can select another computer from the list and click at the "Change Master" button to set this computer as your Master. You are not allowed to select your local computer as Master. You will have to choose a remote computer.
How To Connect Master And Slave
You can utilize your network card with an Ethernet port to connect two ore more computers using a network switch. Set up the IP addresses from the computers like in the picture above. Both computers have to be in the same network area (e.g. 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.254).
Usage
"Receive Sync Command From Master" is a useful feature to play back cue lists synchronously. Learn more about the Cue List.
Example 1: How To Use The Backup System And Art-Net
We recommend to always use two separate networks with two network cards if you want to sync Master & Slave and use Art-Net at the same time.
Minimum requirements for this set-up are two computers, two Ethernet switches, one Art-Net device, Ethernet cables, and DMX cables.
Apart from that, both computers need to have two network cards installed. The set-up for the first network card is 192.168.0.x and the second is 2.0.0.x. The former will be used as the backup system, the latter is transferring Art-Net data.
Example 2: How To Use The Backup System And Art-Net (Low-Budget Alternative)
In addition, you may use a variation of the example above. Depending on your installation, it can be possible to do the setup without the second network. It is a smaller budget alternative and in this case only the Art-Net network will be used. At the same time this means that traffic from both Art-Net and the backup system will be transferred over this single network. In larger installations this might cause network problems due to high data traffic!
Connecting this backup system to the internet is not recommended because problems with the internet connection are likely to occur (such as connection errors, dropouts, etc.). WiFi-nodes are also not recommended. The Art-Net data will simply interfere with the internet data in the 2.0.0.x network.
If your Art-Net interfaces support the 10.0.0.x network, you may establish an internet connection since the Art-Net data will be blocked by your router and does not interfere with the internet connection.
Such an installation is at your own risk.
Example 3: How To Use The Backup System And USB DMX512 Interfaces
If you are going to use an USB DMX512 interface, PCI cards, or PCMCIA devices, you can work with one network card to sync Master and Slave.
Minimum requirements for this set-up are two computers, one Ethernet switch, one DMX merger, two DMX512 devices, Ethernet cables, and DMX cables.
Apart from that, both computers need to have a network card installed. The set-up for this network is 192.168.0.x. Only this card/network will be used for the backup system.