You already chose between USBDMX and Art-Net, or you have an TH-2U Art-Net node Art-Net node on the bench. The next bottleneck is not the protocol — it is how you wire the network. A one-nighter, a touring festival, and a permanent theatre do not share the same layout. This guide covers lighting network topology: where the switch lives, where nodes sit, how much DMX stays on the last mile, and what changes between a live stage and a fixed install.

What “topology” means here (and what it does not)

With Ethernet DMX (Art-Net), topology is the control path:

• Control (PC, console, or software) sends Art-Net over Ethernet.
• A switch (or more than one) fans that network out.
• One or more Art-Net nodes convert to DMX512.
• Short 120 Ω DMX runs go from each node to fixtures.

We are not replacing last-mile DMX. Art-Net moves the universe close to the load; the 120 Ω XLR hop is still the final link. Mixing 80 Ω audio cable brings the usual reflections and dropouts — see 80 Ω vs 120 Ω. For protocol basics, read what Art-Net is. 80 Ω vs 120 Ω. Para el fundamento del protocolo, what Art-Net is.

Topology comparison table

USB–DMX (TZ-Mini, TZ-1U, TZ-2U) still belongs in daisy-chain layouts or as backup. The TH-2U shines in star, distributed, and hybrid designs.

Escenario vivo / touring / temporal

For one-nighters and tours, prioritize fast load-in and short DMX:

• Temporary switch at FOH or stage left — unmanaged is often enough when the network is lighting-only and the show is small.
• Short Cat runs from switch to nodes; avoid coiling 50 m “just in case” under the stage.
• Nodes near the bars: a portable TH-2U (RJ45 + 12 V 1 A + dual Neutrik) sits happily in a flight or mobile rack next to the load.
• Skip long DMX snakes from FOH to the far end: if Cat reaches the bar, move the node — do not stretch the XLR.
• Node power: bring reliable 12 V supplies; do not improvise critical show power from random USB banks.

Portable TH-2U use cases: festival FOH far from front wash; club with two side bars (one universe each); backup seat with an Art-Net laptop plus a node at stage left. Two universes (up to 1024 channels) cover many small/mid tours; beyond that, plan multiple nodes on the same star.

Fixed installs (theatre, club, architectural)

Here the cable plant is designed once and lived with for years:

• Planned Cat backbone (quality Cat5e or Cat6) from the control rack / tech room to node locations.
• Nodes in racks near loads: less DMX in trays, more structured Ethernet.
• Labeled ports and spare runs: when a bar moves, you will thank the empty Cat.
• Separate lighting VLAN when the building network is shared with office, guest Wi‑Fi, or CCTV. The TH-2U does not “do VLANs” by itself — the venue’s managed switch defines isolation.
• Documentation: patch sheet with each node IP, Art-Net universe per port, and Ethernet-loss behavior.

En fijo, el costo de un buen backbone se diluye; el costo de un snake DMX eterno se multiplica en fallas y tiempo de chase.

Diagrama: backbone Ethernet + nodos cerca de la carga

Backbone Ethernet + nodos cerca de la carga

• Sala de control / FOH
  • Consola o PC con Art-Net
  • Switch (managed si hay VLAN compartida)
• Cat5e/Cat6 backbone
  • Run principal a rack stage left
  • Run secundario a rack stage right / FOH auxiliar
  • Spare etiquetado sin usar
• Rack cerca de carga A
  • Nodo Art-Net (ej. TH-2U): universo 0 out a barra front
  • Short 120 Ω DMX to fixtures (practical tip: ~32 devices per output)
• Rack cerca de carga B
  • Otro puerto / otro nodo: universo 1 out a movers
  • Local 12 V power for the node

Diagrama: estrella desde FOH vs nodos distribuidos

FOH star vs distributed nodes

• Star from FOH (typical touring)
  • Switch en FOH
  • Cat radial a nodo 1 (front), nodo 2 (laterales), nodo 3 (backline)
  • Cada nodo: DMX corto local
  • Upside: one management point; downside: many long Cat runs into FOH
• Distributed nodes (typical fixed)
  • Backbone entre racks
  • Nodo en cada zona de carga
  • FOH solo manda Art-Net; no “tira” todos los XLR
  • Upside: minimal DMX; downside: stricter labeling and IP discipline

Practical networking rules for show day

• Quality Cat5e / Cat6 with proper terminations; keep bargain patch cords off critical hops.
• No uses Wi‑Fi para Art-Net show-critical: latencia e inestabilidad no son drama de ensayo, son blackout en vivo.
• Unmanaged switch: suele alcanzar en shows chicos con red dedicada solo a luces.
• Managed + VLAN when you share a building network — isolate lighting from guest Wi‑Fi and office traffic.
• 12 V power for nodes: plan rack PSUs; the TH-2U wants 12 V 1 A (2.1 mm jack).
• Nunca pongas nodos en la VLAN guest del Wi‑Fi: aislamiento malo, DHCP impredecible, acceso de terceros.
• One universe, one plan: know what leaves each Neutrik port (in or out) before soundcheck.

Where the TH-2U sits in each topology

The TH-2U (TH Pro series) is a 2-universe Art-Net to DMX node: RJ45, 2 configurable Neutrik XLR3 in/out, web panel, LTP/HTP merge, optical/ESD/EMI/DC-DC protection, IP MODE (DHCP / AUTO / static). In practice:

• FOH star: one or more TH-2U at the end of each radial Cat run; 2 outs to two local snakes.
• Distribuido fijo: un TH-2U por zona (o por par de universos cercanos); etiqueta IP y universo en el rack.
• Hybrid: main Art-Net to the TH-2U; if two sources must coexist, use LTP/HTP merge with a plan — not “two consoles blindly”.
• In + out: one out port to fixtures and one in port if you inject physical DMX into the node according to the design.

Product deep-dive (ES guide, verified): TH-2U Art-Net node. Shop EN: TH-2U (EN).

Classic topology mistakes

• Endless DMX instead of moving the node: if Cat reaches the bar, the node belongs there — do not stretch 80 m of XLR out of habit.
• 80 Ω audio cable on the DMX hop: wrong impedance means reflections and flaky faults. Use 120 Ω.
• Two Art-Net sources fighting without merge: two consoles on one universe with no LTP/HTP plan equals chaos. Merge intentionally or pick one master.
• Daisy-chains that are too long: practical tip used in prior posts — about ~32 devices per 120 Ω DMX output; split chains or add outs/nodes.
• Nodo en Wi‑Fi guest: inestable y expuesto.
• No IP/universe labels: chasing “who is 192.168.x.x” at 11:40 pm hurts.

Checklist before the show / before the install

Show / touring

• Switch de luces dedicado o VLAN clara
• Cat medidos y probados; spares cortos
• Cada nodo con 12 V estable y LED de power
• Universo Art-Net por puerto anotado
• Short 120 Ω DMX; termination / loading per venue practice
• Prueba de un canal por universo antes de puertas
• Plan B: TZ USB en notebook si el backbone cae

Fixed install

• Planos de backbone + spare runs
• Etiquetas en patchbay y en cada nodo
• Documented lighting VLAN (if the network is shared)
• Static IPs or reserved DHCP — whatever the venue can maintain
• Ethernet-loss policy set on the node
• Inventory: universes needed today and in 12 months

FAQ

Does Art-Net remove DMX cable?

No. Elimina (o acorta) el snake largo hasta el nodo. El tramo nodo–fixture sigue siendo DMX512 a 120 Ω.

Is an unmanaged switch enough?

For small lighting-only shows, usually yes. If you share the building with office or guest Wi‑Fi, move to managed switching and VLANs.

Can I send Art-Net over Wi‑Fi?

Para ensayo informal a veces “anda”. Para show-critical, no lo uses como camino principal.

How many TH-2U units do I need?

Each TH-2U covers up to two universes. More universes means more nodes (or higher-capacity nodes outside this SKU). See also 1 vs 2 universes.

FOH star or distributed nodes?

Temporary touring: a star from FOH is usually faster to build. Fixed rooms: nodes near the load win on maintenance.

Where does USB–DMX fit on an Art-Net network?

As a nearby programming seat, a backup path, or shows that do not have a backbone yet. Intro: interface USB–DMX.

Does the TH-2U create VLANs?

No. The node speaks Ethernet/Art-Net; the venue switch owns VLANs. The TH-2U joins whatever network you give it (DHCP, AUTO, or static via IP MODE / web panel).

What comes next on IPs and universes?

The next ElectroTAS blog piece will dig into practical Art-Net IP and universe configuration — the mental map after you pick a topology. Until then, the TH-2U guide and the Art-Net primer keep you oriented.

CTA y recursos relacionados

Building a lighting network topology for a stage or fixed install? Check the TH-2U en la tienda and the USB–DMX line at shop ElectroTAS. Unsure about architecture? Start with the protocol and node, then cable with intention.

• What is Art-Net
• USB-DMX vs Art-Net
• TH-2U product guide
• Intro USB–DMX
• 1 vs 2 universes
• Optical isolation (TZ)
• Compatibilidad soft
• Primer setup USB–DMX
• Errores comunes USB–DMX
• Cable 80 Ω vs 120 Ω
• Blog index

Next on the blog: we will go deeper into IPs, universes, and practical Art-Net configuration — the follow-up after you choose a topology. Stay with ElectroTAS.