Brand:

• AMX

Models:

• UniFi Pro Max switches
• All AMX/SVSI encoders and decoders

Overview:

Part 1

This article provides step-by-step guidance for configuring Ubiquiti UniFi network switches for use with Harman SVSI video-over-IP systems. It covers VLAN setup, jumbo frames, IGMP snooping, querier configuration, and port-level AV profiles.

These steps apply to UniFi Pro Max switches (e.g., 16-port PoE and 24-port PoE models) and assume the presence of:

• A firewall/router
• One or more UniFi switches
• Optional: UniFi access points
• Separate VLANs for Video, Audio/Dante, or combined AV traffic

Part 2

This article covers advanced configuration practices when deploying Harman SVSI systems on Ubiquiti UniFi Pro Max switches. It includes VLAN tagging, STP configuration, uplink configuration, device identification issues, switch reboot behavior, and backup/firmware strategies.

Part 1: Configuring Ubiquiti UniFi Switches for Harman SVSI Deployments

1. Verify VLAN & Network Setup
Navigate to Settings > Networks in the UniFi controller.

1.1 Create and Review Networks
For each AV network:

• Video Devices VLAN
• Dante / Audio VLAN (if separate)

Verify:

• Correct IP addressing
• DHCP range assigned
• VLAN number (UniFi auto-assigns sequential VLANs; change them if required)

Important:
UniFi does not initially ask for a VLAN number when creating networks, so ensure proper VLAN IDs are manually assigned.
 

2. Enable Required Global Switch Settings
Go to Settings > Networks (Global Switch Settings).

2.1 Enable Jumbo Frames
Required for SVSI and mandatory for N2600 series:

• Toggle Jumbo Frames: ON

2.2 Enable IGMP Snooping

• Toggle IGMP Snooping: ON
• Choose the networks where IGMP should apply:
  • Video Devices VLAN
  • Dante VLAN (if applicable)

3. Configure IGMP Querier
SVSI requires an IGMP querier for proper multicast management.

3.1 Assign the Querier
Click Create New Querier Switch:

1. Select VLAN (e.g., Video Devices)
2. Select the switch with the lowest IP address (UniFi automatically chooses lowest-IP unless overridden)
3. Click Create
    

Repeat for the Dante VLAN if needed.

3.2 Fast Leave (Immediate Leave)
Enable Fast Leave (called Immediate Leave in some systems):

• Apply at least to the Video VLAN
• Only required on Dante if Dante devices exceed 500 Mbps per encoder

3.3 Apply Configuration
Click Apply Changes
Switches take a few minutes to update.

4. Verify VLAN-Level IGMP & mDNS Settings

Select the Video Devices VLAN:

• Ensure IGMP Snooping is toggled ON
• Ensure mDNS is enabled

These may not auto-enable until global IGMP snooping is turned on.

5. Assign UniFi Pro AV Profiles to Switch Ports

UniFi allows per-port AV optimization.

5.1 Navigate to Ports on left side menu

5.2 Assign AV Roles
For each port connected to SVSI encoders/decoders:

1. Select the port(s)
2. Set the Port Type to ProAV
3. Choose the Dante profile
4. Select the appropriate VLAN (e.g., Video VLAN)

Why?
SVSI 2600 encoders/decoders use a Dante AV-A underlying codec, so the Dante profile ensures QoS and prioritization for both audio and video streams.
This ensures consistent traffic prioritization regardless of whether the device is handling audio, video, or both.
If an audio-specific port is detected (e.g., Dante), set that profile separately.

Note:
Ports must be configured individually or as multi-selection groups—UniFi does not apply AV profiles globally.

6. Expected Behavior After Initial Configuration

Once VLANs, jumbo frames, and IGMP are configured:

• Devices on the same switch may begin passing video immediately
• Video may appear unstable or jittery until all settings propagate
• Multicast routing stabilizes after querier and snooping fully apply

Summary Checklist

 Requirement                Setting
Jumbo Frames             Enabled
IGMP Snooping            Enabled
IGMP Querier               Assigned per AV VLAN
Fast Leave                   Enabled on Video VLAN
VLAN Assignments      Verified (Video & Dante)
Port Profiles                 UniFi Pro AV applied



 

Part 2: Advanced UniFi Configuration for Harman SVSI Deployments

1. Setting Switch IP Addresses for Querier Priority

IGMP querier selection is based on lowest IP address among switches.
To set static IPs:

1. Select the switch
2. Open Settings
3. Scroll to IP Settings
4. Change from DHCP → Static
5. Configure static IP
6. Apply changes

This ensures predictable IGMP querier assignment within the SVSI multicast environment.
 

2. Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Configuration

Proper STP configuration is critical for multicast stability in video-over-IP networks.

2.1 Default Behavior

• UniFi switches default to STP priority: 32768
• If all switches share this value, the network may renegotiate root bridges unnecessarily
  This can cause:
• STP reconvergence
• Port role changes
• Video interruptions

2.2 Best Practice: Set a Deterministic Root Bridge

Choose one switch (typically the main core switch) to be the root bridge.

Example configuration:

• Root Switch Priority: 4096
• Other Switches: 32768

To configure:

1. Go to Devices
2. Select the switch
3. Open Settings
4. Scroll to Advanced
5. Change Priority to 4096
6. Select Apply

This ensures stable STP behavior and prevents video renegotiation.
 

3. VLAN Tagging and Port Modes

SVSI devices use tagged VLANs for Dante or AV traffic.

3.1 Port Modes

1. Navigate to Ports on left side menu
2. Select SVSI encoders/decoders port → Settings

 Under Tagged VLAN Management

• Allow All → default (trunk behavior)
• Block All → access-only, no tagged frames
• Custom → specify exactly which VLANs are allowed

3.2 SVSI VLAN Behavior

• Management traffic / Video traffic is untagged
• DanteAudio traffic is tagged
• Switches identify devices and apply rules accordingly

4. UniFi Device Identification Bug

UniFi currently misidentifies many SVSI encoders/decoders as X32 Mixers.
Notes:

• This is a known UniFi bug
• Ubiquiti has acknowledged the issue
• Device operation is not affected

5. Using Traffic Visualization Tools

UniFi provides:

• Real-time TX/RX traffic visualization
• Graphical activity bars. 

Useful for monitoring encoder throughput and diagnosing multicast flow issues.

6. Proper Switch Rebooting

UniFi has a unique reboot behavior.

6.1 Restart vs. PoE Cycle

• Restart in the UI reboots only the CPU, not the switch ports
• To fully reboot:

1. Select Restart
2. Enable Cycle PoE Power

Without cycling PoE:

• Ports do NOT fully reset
• SVSI endpoints may remain partially powered
• Network issues may persist

6.2 How to Reboot a switch

1. Select UniFi Devices on left side menu
2. Select the switch you with to reboot→ Settings→ Select reboot at the bottom and check Cycle POE power

7. Configure Switches BEFORE Connecting Encoders

SVSI encoders generate heavy multicast traffic.

If switches are not configured properly before encoders are connected, you may experience:

• Flooded uplinks
• Multicast storms
• Switch performance degradation
• Delayed initialization

Best Practice:
Complete VLAN, IGMP, ProAV profile, and uplink configuration before attaching encoders.

8. Uplink & Trunk Configuration

8.1 Apply ProAV → Dante Profile to Uplink Ports

Even on uplinks:

• Set Port Type → ProAV
• Choose Dante

This ensures that multicast traffic between switches is prioritized correctly.

8.2 Native VLAN Must Match on Both Sides
If the native VLAN differs:

• The switch may go offline
• Management access may be lost

If this happens:

• Correct the native VLAN on both ends, or
• Factory reset the switch

UniFi applies changes immediately—there is no “save vs running config” like Cisco—so mismatched trunks can immediately isolate the device.

9. Firmware and Control Plane Maintenance

9.1 Update Switch Firmware
Navigate to:

• Settings → Control Plane

Look for:

• “Install Firmware”
• “Update Firmware”

Ensure all switches are up to date.

9.2 Backup System Configuration

Under:

• Settings → Control Plane → Backups

Options:

• Automatic backups (stored in UniFi)
• Download full system backup

Backups include:

• Switches
• Firewalls
• APs
• Cameras
• Doorbells
• All UniFi configuration

Best Practice:
Download a known-working backup before leaving a customer site.

Summary of Key Best Practices

  Topic                        Best Practice
Port Profiles         Always use ProAV → Dante
Querier                Use static IPs to control IGMP querier selection
STP                     Assign 4096 to root bridge switch
VLANs                Understand tag/untag behavior and uplink trunking
Rebooting           Use PoE Cycle for full switch restart
Encoder Setup   Configure switches BEFORE plugging in encoders
Uplinks               Ensure matching native VLANs
Backups             Always create and download a backup