Overview
Most Just Add Power systems need a Static Route assigned to the router to manage matrix switching, endpoint control, and feature control. The Static Route is configured in the router for the system, to redirect control commands from the control system to the Just Add Power devices.
Some firmware versions of Pakedge routers are not able to perform this redirect properly. An additional setting - or a specific firmware - is needed for the Static Route to take effect.
Symptoms
A system with a Pakedge Router that is not properly redirecting Static Route traffic:
- will NOT be able to do matrix switching in an AMP VLAN system (JADConfig systems will be able to matrix switch)
- will NOT be able to control features like video wall or tiling layout
- will NOT be able to control endpoint devices with IR, RS232, or CEC
- may be able to ping Just Add Power device IPs successfully, but may not
- may be able to open a telnet connection to a Just Add Power device, but that connection will close after a short period of time
- will NOT be able to open the webUI of Just Add Power devices
Confirm that the Router is the Cause
To confirm that the router is the cause of the problem, follow the instructions to apply a local Static Route to a Windows PC or MacOS, and send the control commands manually through that PC. By bypassing the router, we can confirm if the problem is related to the router.
Solutions
Solution 1: Enable Masquerading
Enabling Masquerading on the Pakedge router for the LAN has been shown to alleviate the Static Route issue
- Under the Advanced Firewall section, there is a Forwards menu
- In the LAN row, set Input to Accept, Output to Accept, Forward to Accept, and check the box for Masquerading.
- (Unknown if the router needs to be rebooted after these settings are applied).
- Test matrix, endpoint, and feature control functions
Solution 2: Back-date Pakedge Firmware
We have limited experience with Pakedge routers - and we thank those Installers that have allowed us to play around with their router settings with the goal of fixing this issue - but sometimes the only option is to go to a firmware version that supports Static Routing at full capacity.
- For the Pakedge RT-3100 router, apply firmware 1.99. This firmware has shown to allow full Static Routing with no limitations
Solution 3: Bypass Router by Changing Control Processor Default Gateway
When none of the above options allow control of Just Add Power, we must set it so that control bypasses the router. Follow the instructions in this KB article to set the Default Gateway on the Control Processor to the IP Address of the switch running the Just Add Power system.
