Configure encoder network settings

It's recommended that you use static IP addresses for any VGA Grid HD Encoders on your network. Encoders are associated to the VGA Grid by their IP addresses. Using static IP addresses ensures that the encoders can still be located after a system relocation, power failure or other event that may change a dynamically allocated IP address for the encoder.

This section covers the following network configuration changes for the VGA Grid HD Encoder:

Verify IP address and MAC address
Set a static IP address for the encoder
Configure DHCP for the encoder

Additionally, the following general network topics are applicable to encoders. Log into the encoder's Admin panel when following the described procedures:

Verify IP address and MAC address

The Admin panel shows you the system’s MAC address and current IP Address via the Network configuration page.

To view settings on network configuration page:

Find the VGA Grid HD Encoder's serial number. It is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the unit.
Follow the instructions in Connect to the Admin panel to connect to the VGA Grid HD Encoder (use the serial number from step 1 above, not the serial number of the VGA Grid).

Login as admin.
Select the Network link in the Configuration menu; the network configuration page opens.
Note the MAC address and Current IP address listed at the top of the page.

Network Information Fields

Label	Description/Options
MAC Address	A media access control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier for the network interface. The value is read-only and cannot be changed. You may need to share this value with your system administrator.
Current IP Address	Reflects the current internet protocol address (IP address) of the system. This value is either obtained from the DHCP server (if using DHCP) or is the configured static IP address. The VGA Grid HD Encoder supports IPv4 addresses. It does not support IPv6 addresses.

Set a static IP address for the encoder

If you have not already set a static IP address for the VGA Grid HD Encoder:

Find the VGA Grid HD Encoder's serial number. It is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the unit.
Follow the instructions in Connect to the Admin panel to connect to the VGA Grid HD Encoder (use the serial number from step 1 above, instead of the serial number of the VGA Grid).

Navigate to the Network link under the Configuration heading; the network configuration page opens.

Select the radio button use static address, if not already selected.
Enter the desired IP Address and Network Mask.

Only IPv4 addresses are supported.

Enter the Default Gateway address. If you do not have a default gateway for your network, enter the new static IP address of the Networked VGA Grid that is found on the Network page in its Admin panel.

The default gateway cannot be left blank. If no default gateway is specified, unexpected behavior occurs.

Enter the DNS Server address. If you do not have a DNS server, enter the new static IP address of the system.

The DNS Server address cannot be left blank. If no DNS Server is specified, unexpected behavior occurs.

Click Apply to save the changes; the changes are saved and a message appears asking you to reboot.
Select the Maintenance link under the Configuration menu; the maintenance page appears.
Click the Reboot Now button near the bottom of the page.

The following table describes applicable fields when setting a static IP address.

Static IP Address Fields

Label	Description/Options
Use DCHP	Select this radio button to dynamically obtain an IP address at boot up.
Use static address	Select this radio button to use the configured static IP address.
IP Address	The internet protocol address (IP Address) to assign. This value is may be obtained from your system administrator. The VGA Grid HD Encoder supports IPv4 addresses. It does not support IPv6 addresses.
Network Mask	Also called the subnet mask, this value denotes a range of IP addresses. This value may be obtained from your system administrator, determined from another computer on the same subnet, or calculated using an online subnet calculator.
Default Gateway	The network node that serves as an access point to the rest of the network. This value cannot be blank. Specify the VGA Grid’s IP address if you don’t have a default gateway on your network.
DNS Server	The domain name system server (DNS server) translates human-readable hostnames into corresponding IP addresses. Specify the VGA Grid HD Encoder or VGA Grid’s IP address if you don’t have a DNS server on your network.
MTU Size	The maximum transmission unit (MTU) specifies the maximum packet size for transfer on the network. The default value is 1500, which is the largest value allowed by Ethernet at the network layer. It’s best if all nodes in your network use the same value, so only change this value if you know other nodes use a different value.

Configure DHCP for the encoder

If you have not already set a static IP address for the VGA Grid HD Encoder:

Find the VGA Grid HD Encoder's serial number. It is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the unit.
Follow the instructions in Connect to the Admin panel to connect to the VGA Grid HD Encoder (use the serial number from step 1 above, instead of the serial number of the VGA Grid).

Navigate to the Network link under the Configuration heading; the network configuration page appears.

Select the radio button use DHCP, if not already selected.
Change the MTU Size value only if needed. See the table below for information on maximum transmission unit (MTU) values.
Click Apply to save the changes; the changes are saved and a message appears asking you to reboot.

Select the Maintenance link under the Configuration menu; the maintenance page appears.
Click the Reboot Now button near the bottom of the page.
Wait for the system to reboot.
Connect to the VGA Grid HD Encoder's Admin panel using your preferred connection mechanism. See Connect to the Admin panel.
Log as admin and reload the Networking page to verify all changes were applied.

The following table describes the fields applicable when configuring DHCP on the VGA Grid HD Encoder.

DHCP Fields

Label	Description/Options
Use DCHP	Select this radio button to dynamically obtain an IP address at boot up.
Use static address	Use static address Select this radio button to use the configured static IP address.
MTU Size	The maximum transmission unit (MTU) specifies the maximum packet size for transfer on the network. The default value is 1500, which is the largest value allowed by Ethernet at the network layer. It’s best if all nodes in your network use the same value, so only change this value if you know other nodes use a different value.