After Ghost MK2, let’s take a closer look at the features of the AV switch Agora Fast 2, the “younger brother,” with 1 Gigabit network ports (instead of 10) and a dual main board with primary/secondary switch function. Expandable with the option to implement up to two pairs of fiber optic transmission ports for fast links, it offers dual power supply for optional redundancy. Typical applications include live events, broadcast, as well as fixed installations in stadiums, museums, and theaters.
Agora Fast 2 is a network device that allows you to connect any type of AV over IP device, using either fiber optic or copper, with speeds of up to 1 Gbps. It supports protocols such as Dante, Ravenna, AES 67, CobraNet, AVB, ArtNet, NDI, EtherSound, etc.
Each digital transmission and control protocol has specific network requirements. Fast 2’s ability to separate audio, video, and lighting networks, along with the capabilities of Agora Controller management software, makes these switches/bridges unique products designed to simplify complex installations.
The philosophy behind an ambitious project:
An AV over IP network must be flexible, redundant, easy to set up, and economically sustainable. Agora has met this challenge by designing a switch based on a twin architecture. Fast 2 features dual motherboards, dual power supplies, and redundancy on the power supply controller. Essentially, within a single 19″ 1U rack unit, there are physically two distinct devices.
Based on this architecture, Fast 2 offers three management modes:
- Open: Like two independent switches with professional etherCON and opticalCON connectors. The internal Gigabit Ethernet connection is turned off. Different groups/VLANs can be defined on each switch. Ideal for Dante applications, it provides complete redundancy.
- Dual: Like two independent switches with professional etherCON and opticalCON connectors. The internal Gigabit Ethernet connection is activated. Different groups/VLANs can be defined on each switch. Ideal for Dante applications, it provides complete redundancy. Without Spanning Tree Protocol, only one FAST2 should be in DUAL MODE for primary and secondary control.
- Single: The internal Gigabit Ethernet connection is activated, and the VLANs are combined by the primary and secondary networks. The switch behaves as if it were a Ghost MK2, with the difference that the rear USER ports cannot be converted into transmission ports.
With the two transmission modes, Ghost and Fast, Fast 2 can operate as a standalone unit or as an extension module for Ghost series switches.
In standalone mode, Fast 2 functions as a dual Ethernet switch with complete redundancy (motherboard and power supply). As an extension module for the Ghost series, Fast 2 provides a Ghost user port multiplier for up to two groups per frame.
Practical usage examples:
The first example relates to a typical audio application used for live concerts. The main FOH console is connected via Dante to both the primary and secondary switches of Fast 2 for redundancy. The laptop allows for configuration and control of the unit. A second Agora Fast 2 switch is located on the stage and receives signals from the FOH console via primary and secondary Dante. Headphones, wireless microphones, and other devices are connected to the switch through the network, such as the stage mixer. The Ethernet ports on the back of Fast 2 allow for the connection of stage boxes, which collect all the signals from the units on stage, as well as final amplifiers. As seen, the connection scheme is straightforward and linear.
The second example refers to lighting devices and intercom. At the FOH side, we have the lighting console connected to Fast 2 via ArtNet on the primary switch, and the intercom panel on the secondary switch. On the stage side, there are racks with network nodes (Rack #1 and #2) and other potential devices. The two switches are connected to each other using Ethernet cables, or alternatively, fiber optic connections can be used.
A closer look at Fast 2:
Fast 2 is a standard 19″ rack unit with a series of front and rear ports that are completely independent and assignable. Specifically:
- 8 front panel Ethernet ports: 10/100/1000 Mbps Base-T (etherCON). 4 for the primary switch, 4 for the secondary switch.
- 4 rear panel Ethernet ports: 10/100/1000 Mbps Base-T (etherCON). 2 for the primary switch, 2 for the secondary switch.
- 2 front panel fast link Ethernet ports: 10/100/1000 Mbps Base-T (etherCON). 1 for the primary switch, 1 for the secondary switch.
- 2 front panel DUAL optical ports: 1 Gbps (opticalCON). 1 for the primary switch, 1 for the secondary switch (OPTIONAL). The optical ports are available in both Single Mode and Multi Mode.
Other features include:
- Support for up to 99 groups simultaneously
- Support for various network types: bus, ring, star, and hybrid configurations
- Optional dual redundant power supply
- Included Agora Controller software
- Full compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
