Application Notes: Dante in Corporate AV Installations
Boardrooms, conference rooms, campuses, lobbies — real-world deployment scenarios Corporate AV is among the most practical deployment target for…
Overview
The FLEX chassis is fully managed via a web-based GUI accessible over the local network. It also supports RS-232 control, TCP/IP control, and a REST API for integration with control systems including Crestron, AMX, Savant, and Control4.
Initial Network Access
- Connect the chassis management port to the network switch via Ethernet.
- The chassis defaults to DHCP on first boot. Find the IP address from the DHCP server lease table or the front panel display (if available).
- Open a web browser and navigate to the chassis IP address.
- Log in with admin credentials (default: admin / admin). Change the password after first login.
- Navigate to Network Settings to assign a static IP for production use.
Web GUI Overview
The chassis web GUI provides full system control from any browser on the same network. Key sections:
- Routing Matrix: Visual crosspoint matrix — click to route any input to any output. Shows current routing state in real time.
- Video Wall: Create, configure, and manage video wall zones and presets.
- Output Settings: Per-output resolution, scaling mode, EDID assignment, CEC control, multiview configuration.
- Input Settings: Per-input EDID assignment, signal detection status.
- Presets: Save and recall complete routing configurations instantly.
- Network Settings: IP address, subnet, gateway, hostname.
- Firmware: Firmware update and system information.
- Scheduler: Time-based routing events and display power automation.
RS-232 Control
The chassis exposes a DB9 RS-232 port for serial control. Settings: 115200 baud, 8N1. A full RS-232 command set is available in the product manual for all routing, preset, video wall, and system commands. Compatible with any RS-232-capable control system.
TCP/IP Control
The chassis listens on TCP port 4001 (default, configurable) for ASCII command strings. Commands are identical to the RS-232 command set. The chassis maintains the TCP connection and responds with status acknowledgments.
Example routing command: SW i1 o3\r\n — routes input 1 to output 3.
REST API
The chassis provides a REST API for integration with web-based control systems, custom dashboards, and automation platforms.
- GET /api/routing — Returns current routing state for all outputs.
- POST /api/routing — Body: { "input": 1, "output": 3 } — Routes input to output.
- POST /api/preset/recall — Body: { "preset": 2 } — Recalls a saved preset.
- GET /api/status — Returns system status, firmware version, signal detection per port.
- POST /api/videowall — Configure or update a video wall zone.
- POST /api/cec — Send CEC power on/off to a specific output or all outputs.
Third-Party Control System Integration
- Crestron / AMX: Two-way RS-232 or TCP/IP driver. Contact KanexPro support for driver modules.
- Savant / Control4: Generic TCP/IP or RS-232 device driver using the ASCII command set.
- Extron / QSC: TCP/IP ASCII control via network connection.
Preset Management
Presets save a complete routing state — all input-to-output assignments, video wall configurations, and output mode settings. Recall any preset instantly via the web GUI, REST API, RS-232 command, or control system button press. Store up to 32 presets per chassis.
