IT for AVs® | media networks for events
Online Training
Duration: 1 week | 30hrs | 10 live training classes
Comprehensive
No previous knowledge necessary
IT For AVs® | ONLINE
5 days | 30hrs live teaching
- Fundamentals of data networks
- IT hardware for live events
- Configuration & documentation of switches for media networks
- Fundamentals of media networks
- Fundamentals of internet based AV live streaming
- Network monitoring
- 10 live sessions incl. practical presentations
- 30 hours live teaching
- Practical exercises on your own hardware
- Learning objective control
- Participation requirements | technical rider
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S
Dates
Waiting list
C O U R S E S C H E D U L E
The course lasts one week from Monday to Friday. We do live lessons in 10 sessions of 2 to 3.5 hours each. You should do exercises on your hardware between the live sessions. So take the whole week for intensive training with network technology. In the week before the course, we do a introductory session and a technical test to give you enough reaction time to adapt your setup, you should also keep this time slot free. You can find the entire course schedule here.
will be revised!
will be revised!
P A R T I C I P A T I O N R E Q U I R E M M E N T S
Online trainings can be designed to be pleasant for the participants and practice does not have to be neglected either. For this, however, in contrast to the face-to-face event, your participation is required! Please familiarize yourself with the requirements for participation before booking, the Technical Rider can be downloaded here as a PDF.
P R O O F O F C O N C E P T
Experience
14 years teaching
Optimization
Over 100 live in person trainings
Like-minded
IT at eye-level of AV-engineers
O V E R V I E W
The live training class “IT For AVs” is the new standard for teaching online. Within 1 week you will attend in 10 live teaching sessions and get over 30h live training with classmates, ask questions directly and join Q&A sessions. Combined with exercises, homework and tests you will experience a learning curve way beyond actual standards. This training is based on the german industry standard “Netzwerktechnik für Veranstaltungstechniker” established in 2013 by Bodo Felusch. The live in person training is a three-day seminar and can also be booked for a local hosting in your company.
The online seminar is addressed to technicians, operators, engineers and designers working with audiovisual media using IEEE 802 Ethernet networks for signal transport. The participants do not need any previous knowledge and are introduced to the IT technology from scratch. In the training, they learn to understand the language of the IT professionals at a high level, focusing on the topics relevant to the everyday practice of the participants. The seminar is comprehensive and suitable for audio, lighting and video specialists alike.
Through practical presentations with two trainers, the participants learn to understand every theoretically learned step immediately. In addition, the knowledge is consolidated through exercises on the participants’ own hardware. At the end of the course, each participant has a fully configured setup that not only works for the real-time transport of the most common light, sound and video protocols, but can also be monitored using professional monitoring software, including error messages on their own mobile phone. Participants who just want to watch are of course just as welcome. The seminar content also includes new requirements such as web-based AV live streaming.
The aim of the seminar is to provide the participants with IT skills for their everyday work. For this purpose, the teaching methods rely equally on knowledge and ability. The participants acquire the following skills:
✅ Acquires a basic understanding of IT-based technical infrastructures
✅ Conceived the use of IT hardware for event requirements
✅ Configures switches for media networks
✅ Operates local real-time media networks for light, sound and video applications
✅ Operates internet based AV live streaming
✅ Configures and operates network monitoring
Dates
Waiting list
Trainer
Bodo Felusch
Audio technician, Audio over IP specialist and initiator of the seminars “Lake Training” since 2008 and “Media networks for events” since 2013.
Motto: “No panic! …it is only a network”
Trainer
Johannes Krämer
Audio consultant, live sound operating since 1980 and audio over IP specialist.
Motto: “There is a solution, we will find it.“
D E T A I L S
Why networks?
IT components of the signal chain are not a trend that’s going to disappear. The advantages over old-fashioned analog or digital direct connections are one of the reasons for this. For example, the physical connection is no longer the same as the logical connection. Once set up, the physical location of the devices no longer plays any role. Sender and receiver communicate directly with each other as soon as they find themselves in the network and make it possible to have different physical locations with the same signal routing without service. Redundancies can be realized cost-effectively and required bandwidths for the mixed operation by different technical crews are scalable. Ethernet networks are subject to rapid technological progress, are highly available, and planning skills are a matter of course internationally.
How do I understand networks?
As a media-creating user, one must master the fundamentals of the technology to ensure safe commissioning and troubleshooting. Recently, when production-relevant signals such as Dante Audio, Art-Net Light or SDVoE video streams are transported exclusively over Ethernet networks, the basic knowledge of network technology should be part of the standard repertoire of responsible technicians, because in practice Layer-3 management in complex redundant networks has long been part of everyday business.
But who can share this knowledge? Several years of training as a network administrator do not seem to be effective here! Unfortunately, those who are perfectly familiar with network technology usually speak a different language than an event technician because their workspace is completely different. This circumstance is taken into account by presenting the knowledge in a clear and accessible way. The practical relevance to the daily work of sound, light and video technicians is here a top priority.
C O N T E N T S
Fundamentals of data networks
The openness and compatibility of IEEE Ethernet is often publicized, but in practice this ideal world of compatibility quickly reaches its limits. Limits that the participants of the seminar get to know as well as how to build working solutions for mixed production networks. Here, different ambits are to be separated via VLANs and transported via common and redundant backbone lines in different topologies. The choice of the right cable plays a particular role in the harsh everyday life of the event industry, the differences between copper and fiber optic cables and their construction forms are discussed extensively. The participants understand why there are drastic performance differences between different cables and why network cables are basically always partially defective, but thanks to ruthless oversizing it is not a problem to securely transmit the required bandwidths. In order to increase the bandwidth between the different network positions, link aggregation groups are set up and data are given priority by means of Quality of Service. Typical bandwidths of audio, light and video signals in the IP world are discussed, and an outlook on changing requirements with SDVoE (Software Defined Video over IP) is given. Different protocols such as TCP, UDP and AVB are studied as well as different data transmission types like unicast, multicast and broadcast are discussed to understand what role IGMP or ACL filters play in multicast networks.
- What is Ethernet
- OSI Model
- NIC
- MAC Adresse
- Hub
- Switch (Layer 2)
- IP-Address
- Switch (Layer 3)
- Router (Layer 3)
- Subnet mask
- W-LAN Router & Access Point
- PoE
- W-LAN
- Extending the coverage of a W-LAN
- Max. allowed radiated power
- Directional antennas
- SSID Cloning
- Auto Crossover / Auto MDI
- Auto-Sense / Auto-Negotiation
- DHCP
- ACL
- Ports & Port conflicts
- Shielding
- Cathegories
- Transmission errors
- Damping
- Crosstalk
- Reflexions
- Interferences
- Bandwidth limitations
Optical fiber
- Structure
- Modes
- Multimode vs. Singlemode
- Fiber cathegories / Optical classes
- Patch cable types
- Direct connection systems
- Lens connection systems
Choosing cable in practice
- Mating cycles
- Copper vs. optical fiber
- Max. cable lengths
- ARP
- IP
- TCP
- UDP
- Unicast
- Multicast
- Broadcast
- Broadcaststorm
- IGMP
– Unicast vs. Multicast transmission
– IGMP principle
– IGMP Basics: Router, Querier, Snooping, Fast Leave
– IGMPv2 messages
– Multicast group adresses
– IGMP versions
– IGMPv3 basics
– IGMPv2 configuration
– IGMPv2 funktions
- Point-to-point
- Line
- Ring
- STP/RSTP/MSTP
- Star
- Tree
- Mesh network
- Backbone
- Mixed operation
- Trunk Ports / Link Aggregation
- Typical bandwidths in media networks
- Headroom recommendations
- VLAN
- Port-based VLAN
- Tagged VLAN
- QoS
- Prioritizing with QoS possibilities & limitations
- DSCP/DiffServ
- Identification of media networks
- Apple Bonjour
- Zeroconf
- Clock Jitter
- Packet Jitter
- Energy-saving options
- Green Ethernet
- IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet
IT hardware for live events
In order to transport production-relevant media signals over shared Ethernet networks, the most important hardware and software tools are shown, which are useful for time-critical success in error or status analysis. In order to make purchase or use decisions for switches, the various requirements of media networks are conveyed and an overview of the various switch device classes is given. Harmonizing the requirements with budgeting and conception is also part of the seminar.
- Ping commands
- NetSetMan Pro (Win)
- Angry IP Scanner (Win)
- Wireshark (Win/OSX)
- inSSIDer [Windows] / iStumbler [OSX]
- Cable tester
- Budgeting & conception
- Device classes
- Requirements for media networks
Configuration & documentation of switches for media networks
The theoretically imparted content is always supplemented by practical presentations by the trainers in order to put “what’s happening” and “how is that” aside. But the participants also apply their acquired knowledge in a practical way. For the online variant of the training, the participants must meet the technical participation requirements, which include basic IT equipment. As a result, theoretical knowledge is converted directly into practical skills and what is probably the most important component in your own portfolio is acquired through experience, IT competence!
In practical presentations the participants apply their acquired knowledge. They design and configure a layer-3 switch for the mixed operation of Dante Audio, Art-Net lighting, Video streaming and production networks and learn how to understand a switch via web interface and focus on complex menu structures. With practical exercises on the devices, dual redundant networks are put into operation, errors are sought and provoked to get to know their effects.
The training is culminated with the introduction of useful tools for network practice. In addition, the selection process of suitable switches is discussed and supplemented with valuable practical tips for configuration and documentation, because in the end, it is not enough to understand the technology and have created a working setup for yourself. During the productions, colleagues must also be able to understand what they have in front of them to ensure safe use and failure detection.
- Configuration for mixed operation with Dante, Lake and free VLANs
- Configuration documentation for the users
- Practical example Set- & Case Design Gahrens + Battermann GmbH
- ACL VLAN Filtering for Lake and Dante Multicast
- Setup of ACL filter roles in detail – Example.: Linksys SRW224G4
- Setup of ACL filter rols in detail – Example.: D-Link DGS1210-52
- Rules for stress-free networking
- IP+Subnet
- RSTP
- VLANs
- LAG Trunks & Backbone Ports
- CoS Prioritizing for media networks
- Energie Efficient Ethernet
- ACL-Filtering
- IGMPv2
- SNMP-Monitoring
- Saving
- Setting up further devices
- Documenting
Fundamentals of media networks
A functioning media network is the prerequisite for a successful live production. But what is actually being transported under the hood? Who do I share the network with? What requirements do my colleagues from other trades have and what key facts should I know about them? Answers to these questions will be discussed in the seminar in the depth of detail that appears to be effective across the board. The focus is on the practical relevance for all seminar participants. The real-time protocols of the lighting technology include an overview of Art-Net, sACN and ACN, further training for lighting operators and lighting technicians with a focus on “DMX over Ethernet” is an optional module and not part of this online seminar. The audio protocols include Dante, Ravenna, AES67 and AVB/TSN at a glance and are supplemented by the most important key facts about Dante, AVB, TSN and Milan. User training for sound technicians is an optional module and, as with light, is not part of this online seminar. With the local video protocols, SDVoE, SMPTE2010 and NDI are at a glance and also do not have to meet the requirement of extensive user training. Almost all real-time protocols have to establish a synchronization of the media network. The function of the underlying IEEE1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTPv1/PTPv2) is conveyed to the seminar participants.
- Overview of real-time protocols for lighting technology | Art-Net | sACN | ACN
- Overview of real-time protocols for audio technology | Dante | Ravenna | AES67 | AVB/TSN | Milan
- Overview of real-time protocols for video technology | SDVoE | SMPTE2110 | NDI
- Precision Time Protocol PTP
- Clocking audio | Qualitative differences PTP v1 vs. PTP v2 in relation to digital audio PCM
Fundamentals of internet based AV live streaming
The global corona pandemic 2020 was an evolution accelerator for digital and hybrid events. What IT technology has made possible for the local transport of media networks at physical events over the past 10 years is comparable to what live streaming now enables for scaling the number of participants at each event. Internet streaming, like local IT, is not a trend that is disappearing again but is now part of the everyday work of event technicians and media professionals. The seminar participants get to know the necessary fundamentals and terms. This includes IPv6-based Internet access with the pitfalls of network expansion status, as well as the necessary access to existing routers or firewalls. The signal flow from the local event technology direction to the audience is also part of the training. For this purpose, the participants get to know the egress data protocols RTMP and SRT as well as the delivery protocols HLS and MPEG DASH at a glance. In addition, the role a CDN plays and which cost factors have to be taken into account when negotiating prices with customers and suppliers are taught. The topic block is rounded off by an explanation of the terms encoding, decoding, data compression, container, recoding and transcoding.
- IPv6
- IPv6 global unicast address
- IPv6 LAN vs. WAN
- IPv6 dual-stack
- IPv6 dual-stack lite
- IPv6 Network expansion status
- Gateway
- VPN
- Trace Route
- CDN Content Delivery Network
- Egress data transport
- Influencing factors for CDN costs
- Price discussion
- Best Practice | professional use of OTT
- Protocol vocabulary: Encoding | Decoding | Data Compression | Container | Recoding | Transcoding
- Egress protocols for AV live streaming | RTMP | SRT
- Delivery protocols for AV live streaming | HLS | MPEG DASH
Network monitoring
In addition to bandwidth planning, the Network Monitoring is also a separate half-a-day thematic block, so the participants get to know the functionality of SNMP and how to use it in practice with PRTG software. The live monitoring of the IT status of switches, ports, cable redundancies and bandwidth monitoring is comprehensibly developed in PRTG. The participants are then able to set up their own PRTG maps for visual monitoring of the event’s IT.
- Introduction, why you need network monitoring
- The players
- The principle
- The details
- How it works
- Monitoring software & example workflow for status monitoring
- Configuring preferences
- Switch status monitoring
- Port status monitoring
- Bandwidths monitoring and alarms
- Map setup
- Tips & Tricks to begin
- Using mobiles and tablets for monitoring
F A Q
Are the live sessions recorded?
No, we think that real time participation in the lessons and ask questions is important to understand the subject matter and successfully complete the course.
When the participation rate of 25 people is reached you can attend each live session two times at fixed dates without extra cost with a basic and standard plan ticket. With a Premium ticket you can attend each session 3 times, what means repeat each session two times at all future dates within 2 years from subscribtion. IT For AVs is made from a live in person training concept and wants to transfer the experience in teaching to the digital domain without beeing a boring recording missing the possibility to ask questions.
What do I need to participate on the training?
You can find it here:
Do I need special IT hardware for excercises and homework?
Do I need a webcam?
Well, if you need to eat a snack, you can turn it of until your´re done.
Can I ask questions during the live session or do I need to wait for Q&A sessions?
You can also choose to aks a question by chat, the teacher will answer it at any time during the session when it fits perfect, or escalate it to the Q&A session at the end of each session.
Will I get a certificate of attendance?
Will I get the presentations?
Dates
Waiting list