Light-O-Rama software running on a computer can control a wide variety of hardware devices and communicate with them via several different methods.
At lest 1 network must be defined here in order to use the Test Lights section or to play a show from this computer.
Light-O-Rama Adapters
In the simplest case, the devices/controllers are connected to your computer via a USB to RS485 adapter sold by Light-O-Rama.
Light-O-Rama USB Adapter
Typically, Light-O-Rama controllers are connected to USB adapters, and up to 16 USB adapters can be connected to a single computer - that is, 16 different "networks". In many cases, a Light-O-Rama user will only need a single network -- that is, a single USB to RS485 adapter -- for all of his or her controllers: this is called the "Regular" network. Should additional networks be needed, 15 auxiliary networks ("Aux A", "Aux B", and so on, up to "Aux O") are also available, each of which would be controlled via a separate USB adapter.
DMX
If you have an Advanced or Pro license, the software also supports communication to:
•DMX devices via USB to DMX adapters,
•Ethernet-connected devices via the E1.31/sACN protocol.
•Ethernet-connected devices via the Art-Net protocol.
You can configure up to 999 DMX universes (although please note that, depending on your computer's capabilities, the software may not be able to adequately drive that many universes simultaneously).
The Network List
The Control Panel's Networks section let's you set up your lighting networks and see their connection status in real time. These networks are used by the Show Player when it plays your sequences. It is also used by the Sequencer when Control Lights is enabled. It is important that this information is correct or your lights will not turn on!
In the picture below, 6 networks have been defined. Each network has a name shown in bold font. A second line shows some of the connection parameters. And a third line shows the connection status -- a green check mark if things are OK, or a red X if there is an issue. In the first picture, all 6 networks are in a green status, and you can see the summarized status as a badge to the right of the "Networks" item in the menu.
•When green, all networks are functioning correctly and the badge displays the total number of networks (6).
•The badge turns red when an issue is detected with one or more networks, and the number will indicate the number of networks with an issue.
The same set of networks are shown below. However, this time a network cable has been removed from "Aurora #1". The status on the individual controller has turned red, and the badge on the network menu has also turned red. The badge color alerts you to the problem and the number changes to indicate the number of networks with an issue, even if you are in a different section of the program.
The badge color will turn red if the status of any network turns red, and return to green once all networks are back to a green status..
Using the buttons in the section heading (to the right of "Lighting Networks"), you can:
•Add a new network. You will be prompted for what kind of network to add:
•Edit the selected network (you can also double-click on a network in the list to edit it)
•Remove the selected network
•Import and export the complete network configuration (backwards compatible with files created using earlier versions of the software)
•View the network log