Introduction

The trend of moving matrix switching into the Ethernet network is inevitable and SDVoE already delivers capabilities far beyond that of a traditional matrix switch. Historically it has been simple to design AV over IP systems of up to 96 I/Os using a single switch using Layer-2 Multicast IGMP. However, larger installations required data center-class 100G Ethernet switches with more complex Layer-3 Multicast Routing techniques, adding complexity and cost to the Ethernet infrastructure. As SDVoE systems become ever larger, a new class of switches has come to market. The M4500 switches combine the configurability of a matrix switch with the power and scalability of Ethernet to support hundreds of AV over IP endpoints, at a price point dramatically cheaper than comparable matrix switches. Removing the need for Layer-3 PIM routing, these new switches offer IGMP Plus and greatly simplify system architectures with the same well-known IGMP techniques across the entire AV over IP network.