VIA Ethernet Switches
OVERVIEW
VIA™ Gigabit Ethernet Switches are designed for live entertainment
Ethernet systems, including audio, video and DMX-over-Ethernet
networks. This guide covers models PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC
NONPOE, PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC POE, PWVIA RM P12 DUO
POE and PWVIA RM P12 QUAD POE.
VIA Ethernet Switches are intended specifically for signal routing
between Pathport DMX-over-Ethernet gateways, or similar
equipment, and Ethernet-aware lighting and audio control products,
such as consoles and controllers and end equipment. A VIA is a
routing device and is not a source of the control protocols or the
data being passed. Switches only provide management control
over the data path.
The PWVIA RM P12 family is easily configured and upgraded
using the freely available software tool, Pathscape. They are also
configurable using the Front Panel UI, which consists of the LCD
and rotary pushbutton encoder.
CONNECTIONS
POWER
Connect the switch to an AC input between 100 and 240VAC, either
50 or 60 Hz, with included IEC power cable (models PWVIA RM
P12 RJ45EC NONPOE and PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC POE) or
powerCON cable (models PWVIA RM P12 DUO POE and PWVIA
RM P12 QUAD POE).
Models PWVIA RM P12 DUO POE and PWVIA RM P12 QUAD
POE have an additional powerCON THRU connector to simplify
mains power connections in a rack. DO NOT EXCEED 10A DRAW
ON THE FIRST SWITCH. The powerCON THRU jumper cable is
not provided.
ETHERNET
Connect Ethernet devices to the RJ45 etherCON ports on the
device.
All network wiring should follow standard Ethernet rules and be
installed by a qualified person. As part of the installation, all wiring
should be certified under the TIA/EIA-568 standard.
Pathway recommends the use of manufactured rather than hand-
terminated cables.
POWER-OVER-ETHERNET (PoE)
VIA model PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC NONPOE does not provide
hardware support for IEEE 802.3af Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). It
does not provide a way to connect an external PoE supply.
VIA models PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC POE, PWVIA RM P12 DUO
POE and PWVIA RM P12 QUAD POE feature an integrated 100W
PoE supply for powering compatible external devices.
If you connect PoE-enabled devices to a PWVIA RM P12
RJ45EC NONPOE they will not receive power.
SFP+ PORTS
Models PWVIA RM P12 RJ45EC NONPOE and PWVIA RM P12
RJ45EC POE have two SFP+ compatible ports on the rear of the
device. These require the user to provide an SFP or SFP+ fiber
transceiver to allow connection to fiber networks.
PWVIA RM P12 Models
opticalCON PORTS
Models PWVIA RM P12 DUO POE and PWVIA RM P12 QUAD
POE have opticalCON DUO and opticalCON QUAD ports,
respectively, for multimode fiber cables installed instead of SFP+
ports. Additional SFP+ transceivers are not required.
STATUS INDICATORS
PoE
After boot up, solid green indicates PoE is enabled on
the Port. Off indicates PoE is disabled.
Link/Act
Amber. Intermittent blinking indicates valid link to
other device. Off indicates link is down.
Fiber Port
Green. Intermittent blinking indicates valid link to
LEDS (rear)
other device. Solid red indicates incompatible fiber
transceiver.
LCD
Will light up when using the front encoder knob. When
Backlight
set to Identify mode using Pathscape, the backlight
will flash.
INSTALLATION
Disconnect all power before proceeding with installation.
Securely mount device to rack unit, if applicable. Connect the AC
input. The VIA will boot up, which may take 15-20 seconds.
Attach required network cables to RJ45 ports. Connect the fiber
module(s), if used.
Choose the Security Mode from the front panel using the encoder
knob.
Security Mode
Wait for Pathscape to Secure
Local Configuration Only
Disable Security
If adding to a Security Domain in Pathscape, no input here is
needed. Open Pathscape on a PC on the same network as the
VIA and add the switch to a Security Domain.
If using the VIA from the front panel only, select Local Configuration
Only (Read-Only) mode. The device will only be configurable from
the Front Panel, configuration from Pathscape is disabled.
If opting out of Security features, select Disable Security. The
device will be configurable using Pathscape from any PC on the
network, even unauthorized parties.
The system is now ready for configuration and testing.
Installation
Guide
10/21/21
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