SMART SHOW NetBuddy Installation & Use

Introduction

NetBuddy is dual purpose device, it can be an Art-Net-to-DMX interface, or it can reverse the data direction and become a DMX-to-Art-
Net interface. In Art-Net-to-DMX mode, it is capable of creating a single universe differential DMX output from Art-Net over a wired
Ethernet network. In DMX-to-Art-Net mode it can take an existing differential DMX universe and send it as Art-Net data to a selected IP
address. In either mode Device IP and Universe settings are adjustable directly from your Browser interface, or from a USB/Serial
Application. Additionally, in DMX-to-Art-Net mode, a Target IP Address is settable. A single 3-pin DMX output connector is provided to
connect directly to your target DMX system, and a DMX gender reverser is supplied when the DMX is required to be an input.

Specifications

IEEE 802.3 compatible Ethernet Controller, Integrated MAC and 10BASE-T
Browser Configuration Server and UDP Client modes
Isolated RJ45 Ethernet Connection
Single Universe Art-Net II & III decoding DMX512 data, outputting @ 40fps typical
Single Universe DMX512 encoding to Art-Net II & III, outputting @ 40fps typical

Parts Supplied

NetBuddy Interface, 1 x USB-MiniUSB cable (power, config & firmware upload), 1 x Ethernet Cable, 1 x DMX Gender Reverser

Product Connections

LAN Ethernet Connection
The NetBuddy can be configured for almost any IP setting, although a default IP of 192.168.1.202 is supplied with the unit. In
general this will be a similar IP to your home router/hub, therefore the NetBuddy can be connected directly to one of your router LAN
Ports. Once connected it can be accessed from a PC that is also connected to that same Network.

Device Configuration

It is possible to configure your device in one of two ways, either directly from your PC Browser (if you are on a 192.168.1.x network)
or via a Serial Configurator using the USB connection, this is useful for directly setting to an alternative network.

Browser Configuration Mode

To access the Browser Configuration, the NetBuddy must be put into CONFIGURATION mode. Configuration mode is available for the
first 8 seconds after power up, during this time the devices IP address will be shown in the display. To activate Configuration mode you
should open your PC browser (most browsers are supported) and type into the URL bar 192.168.1.202 and press return, hitting the
return within the 8 second window will activate Configuration mode and will show a 'C' on the display (If you allow the 8 seconds to
elapse without any user intervention then the NetBuddy will go directly into its main mode of operation 'A' or 'd'). As long as the PC and
NetBuddy are connected to the same network at 192.168.1.202 the configuration interface should appear as follows:
Interface Data Direction
Select either 'Art-Net->DMX' or 'DMX->Art-Net' depending on how you want the device to act.
[SAVE] New Data Direction settings will take immediate effect after they are saved to the NetBuddy.
Ethernet Settings & IP Configuration
MAC Address: This is not adjustable and is a unique number of the supplied unit
Device IP: It is possible to set the IP Address of the NetBuddy to almost any value. Many Art-Net devices will use standard
IP addresses of 10.x.x.x or 2.x.x.x, only values of 0-254 can used, 255 is not allowed.
SubNet Mask: Normally this should be left at 255.255.255.0, which will cover most applications.
Target IP: (available only in DMX-to-Art-Net mode) This is the IP of where you want to Art-Net data to be sent. Only the last
digit is editable, the rest of the IP should match the Device IP as the target should also be on the same network.
Target IP - Broadcast Mode: Setting '255' for the value will allow the device to Broadcast
[SAVE Configuration] New IP Setting will not work until NetBuddy has its power cycled or a Reboot (below)

Art-Net Settings

Universe: Set to any value in the range 0-15
[SAVE Configuration]: New Art-Net settings will take immediate effect after they are saved.
REBOOT DEVICE
Pressing [REBOOT DEVICE] will restart the NetBuddy interface (a bit like cycling the power)

Serial Configuration Mode - Set-Up

Firstly, you will need to install the correct CH340 serial driver for all NetXX devices, these can be found at :
Windows 7 - http://www.arduined.eu/tag/windows-7/
Windows 8 - http://www.arduined.eu/ch340-windows-8-driver-download/
Once installed, connect the NetBuddy via the USB connection and allow the driver install to complete.
Make a note of the serial port number for the device (see Device manager/Com Ports/CH340 device)
If you havent already got a Serial Communications application, we recommend HTComm for simplicity.
You can find HTComm at http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/ht-comm
Set the PORT number to the ComPort that the NetBuddy is connected to
The serial communications use serial settings of 9600 N/8/1, so set Baud to 9600
Ensure that the checkbox for [CR] is set, to allow a carriage return to be sent after any communications
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NetBuddy Installation & Use