One of the great advantages that an Ethernet network gives you is flexibility in configuration, so rather than having to pull different cables to alter a configuration, you can simply change some settings and completely alter the behavior of your Ethernet system. Using the management tools available, it’s simple to select a port on a particular node and then to define its behavior at the click of a mouse. [If a touring production] is bringing their own console to a venue [and] they want to use the venue’s network infrastructure, the venue’s electrician can use network management tools to alter the configuration of the nodes to output different universes of Art-Net data (coming from the touring console) for the touring show’s info, but still send Art-Net data from the house console to one single port on the network to control house lights. By altering the configuration on the nodes, the original patch on the venue’s console can be left untouched. Once the touring production leaves, a simple mouse click will restore the original venue settings.
— From “Focus on Fundamentals” by Peter Kirkup, PLSN, June 2014
