Essential Network Guide for Trinnov Processors

Summary

• Introduction
• Understanding Ethernet Ports Across Trinnov Products
  • Single Ethernet Port: Altitude¹⁶ & Altitude³²
  • Two Ethernet Ports: NOVA & Amplitude¹⁶
  • Three Ethernet Ports: Altitude^CI
  • Why Network Modes Matter
• How to connect your Trinnov to your network
  • Most Common Network Topologies
  • Ensuring your Network Connection works
  • WiFi: What You Need to Know
• Using Audio over IP (Dante / AES67)
• Avoiding Network Loops
• Troubleshooting Network Issues

Introduction

A stable network connection is required for:

• Detecting the processor in the Trinnov Apps
• Accessing the web-based UI and calibration tools
• Installing firmware updates
• Activating licenses
• Using Audio over IP (Dante / AES67) on supported products

This applies whether the connection is:

• Wired Ethernet
• Wi-Fi (Altitude³² only)
• A network shared from a computer
• A direct Ethernet cable between the processor and your laptop

 

Understanding Ethernet Ports Across Trinnov Products

Different processors have different hardware layouts:

Single Ethernet Port: Altitude¹⁶/Altitude³²

• Altitude¹⁶
• Altitude³²

These products have a single Ethernet port, which handles all control, updates, and IP communication. 

 

Two Ethernet Ports: NOVA & Amplitude¹⁶

NOVA and Amplitude¹⁶ are equipped with 2 different Ethernet ports.

NOVA supports multiple network modes:

• Switched (default): ports act like a built-in Ethernet switch, sharing one network/subnet. However, the processor still exposes two distinct IP interfaces, one for Control and one for AoIP, each with its own IP address.
• Redundant: two ports carry separate Dante networks (Primary and Secondary). Both run in parallel for seamless audio failover on physically isolated paths.
• Isolated: each port operates on a different IP interface and cannot pass traffic between networks.

The optional Dante input board of the Amplitude¹⁶ features 2 ports and a fixed network mode. By default, it is configured as a switch. 

 

Three Ethernet Ports: Altitude^CI

Altitude^CI was designed for audio over IP and comes with three ethernet ports:

• Ethernet 1: RJ45
• Ethernet 2: SFP
• Ethernet 3: SFP

Each port can fulfill a specific role determined by the Network Mode of the Altitude^CI. 

Its four different network modes are crucial when using Dante or AES67.

By default, Altitude^CI is configured in a specific network mode called Isolated 2&3 which means that control and AoIP traffic are isolated.

 

Why Network Modes Matter

Caution: the default network mode of your processor (NOVA: switched, AltitudeCI: Isolated 2&3) may not be suitable for your intended use and may potentially create network loops if connected in a way that is not compatible with your network topology.

Indeed, here is why:

• Network modes define whether control traffic and Audio over IP traffic share the same interface.
• Some modes restrict which port provides internet access or Trinnov App visibility.
• Using the wrong mode can make the processor invisible to the network.

When using AoIP, always verify which port is intended for Control, and which is dedicated to Audio over IP.

For more information, please read this article which explains network modes in detail.

 

How to connect your Trinnov to your network

Most Common Network Topologies

Connecting your processor to your network depends on your network topology: the structure of your network and the devices that compose it.

In most cases in home or simple environments:

1. Your computer will be connected to the internet via your set-top box / ISP box over WiFi,
2. Your Trinnov processor will be wired to the same router directly or via a switch.

Computer connected to the router via WiFi

Computer and Trinnov connected to the router via a switch

However, there are many other ways to connect your processor to your local network or computer, such as:

• Direct Connection between your processor and your computer
• Sharing WiFi / Internet from your computer

For more examples and explanations, please refer to the dedicated articles:

• Basic network topologies article
• Sharing WiFi / Internet from your computer

 

 

Ensuring your Network Connection works

Unless you are not connecting your processor directly to your computer, here are the different steps to follow to make sure you can log in to your Trinnov processor using the Trinnov app of web UI:

1. Use a DHCP-enabled network
   Most routers assign IP addresses automatically.
   This is the recommended default and mostly the case in consumer environments.
2. Make sure both devices share the same subnet
   Example of a matched subnet:
   • IP address of the processor: 192.168.1.42
   • IP address of the computer: 192.168.1.10
     If the processor is on a different subnet (e.g., 192.168.2.x), the Trinnov App cannot detect it.
3. Check Ethernet link activity
   Both the processor port and the switch/router should show link LEDs.
4. Use a high-quality Ethernet cable
   Bad or unshielded cables can cause link instability or negotiation problems..
5. Allow up to 20–30 seconds for an USB-Ethernet adapter to establish a link
6. Check for firmware updates
   Outdated software can cause timeouts or detection issues.
7. If migrating between installations
   A processor configured with a fixed IP may become unreachable.
   In this case, perform a Network Reset.
8. If still not visible
   Simplify the network to a direct connection or basic router setup.

 

Wi-Fi: What You Need to Know

General Recommendations

• Prefer wired Ethernet connections for all processors.
• Wi-Fi is acceptable only for control, never for AoIP.
• Temporary setups can use Wi-Fi sharing from a laptop.
  
  

Product-Specific Wi-Fi Behavior

• Altitude³²
  • Can operate as a Wi-Fi client
  • Can act as a Wi-Fi access point for direct connections
• All other processors
  • No built-in Wi-Fi; use an external router or internet sharing from a computer.

 

Using Audio over IP (Dante / AES67)

For NOVA & Altitude^CI:

• AoIP introduces strict requirements for port selection, PTP clocking, and routing.
• When AoIP and control traffic share the same port, traffic management and jitter must be considered.
• When control and AoIP are separated, selecting the correct network mode is essential for detection and reliability.

General recommendations:

• Use wired networks only for AoIP.
• Use DirectLink between Altitude^CI and Amplitude¹⁶ for simple setups
• Avoid unmanaged switches if passing significant AoIP traffic.
• Keep Dante/AES67 clock domains stable.
• When in doubt, start with a simple network (single router or single switch).

Please read the dedicated section about Audio over IP for more information.

 

Avoiding Network Loops

A network loop occurs when two network ports create multiple paths between the same points in a network.

This causes:

• Severe slowdowns
• Packet storms
• Loss of connectivity
• Devices disappearing from the network

Network loops can cause performance degradation, unexpected port blockages, or complete network outages. 

Common examples:

• Connecting both NOVA or Altitude^CI ports to the same switch while in “switched” mode
• Connecting a router → switch → processor → router again via a second link
• Using unmanaged switches with multiple interlinks
  
  

Troubleshooting Network Issues

If you are experiencing any networking issues, please refer to the dedicated section in the Troubleshooting & FAQ section of this knowledge base.