Switch vs router and crossover etc... (S1 and iPad)
 

Networking is not my specialty, please help me figure some basic stuff out!

I already know that an Artist Mix plugged directly into my Macbook Pro with a cat5e x-over works. The Artist Mix works in tandem with my internet Wifi (usually tethering from my phone) so I don't have to switch between internet/controllers.

The plan: I have an S1 on the way and will eventually add an iPad to it as well. In the future I'd like to add a second S1 and possibly a Dock ... all with iPads at some point.

How do I do this?

Step 1: Single S1, x-over cat5e and done.
Step 2: S1 + iPad, Can I use the iPad with an ethernet connection with this set up? So I could get a switch instead of a router, keep everything wired and continue to use wifi only for internet connectivity.
Step 3: 2x S1 + 1x Dock + 3x iPad ... if the above is correct, I can get a switch at the beginning with enough ports for how much I want to expand and just plug-in as I aquire the gear.

Also, a couple basic networking questions:
For this application, can I connect a switch directly to my computer without a router? And if yes, should I be using normal cat5e or x-over cat5e between the computer and the switch, and between the switch and the devices.

Let me know if this makes sense or if I'm missing something. Thanks :)

Re: Switch vs router and crossover etc... (S1 and iPad)
 

To be clear, you are asking about what’s known as an unmanaged switch.

Unmanaged switches are layer 2 devices that allow you assemble a LAN to connect all your local IP enabled gear. An ad-hoc network is simply the switch with neither a router nor a connection to a WAN. Ad-hoc networks require you to manually configure the IP addresses of everything connected.

You should get a switch and plug everything into it. Computer, controllers, wi-if access point, and connection to router and WAN all go through the switch using standard Cat5e or better cables. If there’s a router connected, it can dynamically provide IP addresses to everything via DHCP.

I believe Avid now recommends running their controllers via DHCP, but there’s no reason they can’t work manually on an ad-hoc network.

Re: Switch vs router and crossover etc... (S1 and iPad)
 

Thank you for all the information! You fixed a few wrong assumptions I had about networking and I think I've got the idea now. :)

Re: Switch vs router and crossover etc... (S1 and iPad)
 

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