VLAN Management

VLAN Management

DMXRouter provides cross-platform virtual network adapter management for production network segmentation. VLANs are created as persistent OS-level configurations that survive reboots.

Why VLANs?

In professional lighting installations, network segmentation keeps DMX traffic separate from other network services. VLANs let you create multiple virtual network adapters on a single physical Ethernet port, each tagged with a different VLAN ID.

Common setup: VLAN 1 for management, VLAN 2 for Art-Net, VLAN 3 for sACN, VLAN 4 for video.

No Root Required

The application runs as a normal user. When you create, remove, or configure a VLAN, the operating system shows its standard password dialog. You type your password once and it's cached for the session.

Creating a VLAN

1. Go to the Interfaces panel (Alt+1)
2. Select the physical network adapter
3. Click Add VLAN
4. Enter the VLAN ID (1–4094) and optional name
5. Click Create

The VLAN appears as a new virtual interface in the interface list and can be used in process engine configurations.

Setting IP Addresses

Select any interface or VLAN and click Set IP to assign a static IP address, or Set DHCP to switch to automatic addressing. The dialog detects the current mode and pre-fills the current settings.

Colour-Coded VLANs

The VLAN table uses colour coding matching common lighting network switch conventions for easy identification.

Platform Details

Windows (Hyper-V)

• Creates a Hyper-V Virtual Switch on the selected adapter
• VLANs are added via the Virtual Switch
• Requires Windows Pro or Enterprise with Hyper-V enabled
• Adapter filtering hides system adapters (Default Switch, management NICs)

Linux (NetworkManager)

• VLANs are created via nmcli with persistent NetworkManager connections
• Short kernel interface names (dmxr.200) within the 15-character limit
• Privilege elevation via PolicyKit (pkexec)

macOS (networksetup)

• VLANs are created via networksetup and appear in System Settings → Network
• Privilege elevation via the native macOS password dialog
• VLAN tag resolution via kernel ioctl for correct colour mapping

Disconnected Adapters

Adapters without a link (cable unplugged) are shown dimmed with an Enable checkbox. You can pre-configure VLANs and IPs before connecting the cable.