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Dante® Controller Hardware Box with PoE
VLDT-ANCTRL100
Dedicated hardware controller for discovering, pairing, and managing Dante®/AES67 devices — no dedicated PC required
Dual 1G RJ45 ports isolate the control network from the Dante® audio network
Automatic device discovery and pairing via integrated DAPI (Dante API)
Multi-protocol control — Web GUI, TCP/IP, Telnet/SSH, and dual RS-232 — powered by PoE or 12V
Product Description
The VLDT-ANCTRL100 is a dedicated hardware controller for discovering, pairing, routing, and monitoring Dante®/AES67 devices on a professional audio network — replacing the dedicated PC that would otherwise run Dante® Controller software. Built on an ARM Cortex-A7 1GHz processor running Linux, it presents a built-in web GUI and integrates the Dante API (DAPI) directly, so once a Dante® device appears on the network it can be paired without manual searching or IP configuration.
Two independent Gigabit RJ-45 ports let the unit isolate the control network from the Dante® audio network — a best-practice topology that keeps management traffic off the audio path. Beyond Dante® management, the VLDT-ANCTRL100 acts as a control hub for the wider AV system: dual RS-232 ports, a 6-pin digital I/O block with four configurable channels (selectable 5V/12V logic), and TCP/IP, Telnet, and SSH control integrate it with third-party control systems and automation. It powers from PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or the included 12V adaptor and is protected by ESD and surge circuitry for continuous 24/7 operation.
Dante® (Digital Audio Networking Through Ethernet) is a media networking technology developed by Audinate that transports high-quality, low-latency audio over standard IP networks using off-the-shelf Ethernet switches and Cat5e/6 cabling. Rather than dedicated point-to-point wiring, Dante® routes hundreds of audio channels across a single network entirely in software, with any device able to send or receive audio from any other. The VLDT-ANCTRL100 sits on the management side of this ecosystem — the appliance that discovers, routes, and monitors the thousands of Dante®-enabled products from over 600 manufacturers worldwide.
Key Features
Dedicated Dante®/AES67 device controller — discovery, routing, clock/status monitoring, and third-party device firmware updates without a dedicated PC
ARM Cortex-A7 1GHz CPU running Linux for reliable 24/7 operation
Built-in web GUI (HTTP/HTTPS) — no software installation required
Integrated DAPI (Dante API) for native Dante® device management
2x Gigabit RJ-45 ports isolate the control network from the Dante® audio network
Automatic device discovery and pairing — no manual searching or adding of devices
Multiple control paths: Web GUI, TCP/IP API, Telnet, SSH, and dual RS-232 (configurable baud rate)
6-pin digital I/O — 4x configurable channels with selectable 5V/12V logic, plus a 12V/0.5A power output (Vout) for external devices
IR In/Out ports included, reserved for future firmware expansion
App and cloud access management for remote administration
PoE (IEEE 802.3af) on the Dante® LAN port, or the included 12V/1A supply
ESD (IEC 61000-4-2) and surge protection with built-in security management
Mounts in a 6U V2 rack (up to 10 units) or 1U V2 rack (2 units) — ears included
Cable distance up to 328ft/100m via CAT5E/6/6A/7
Downloads
Ideal Applications
Centralized Dante® Network Management
Deploy one VLDT-ANCTRL100 in the head-end rack to discover, pair, and monitor every Dante®/AES67 device across a facility from a single always-on appliance. Because it isolates the control network from the audio network across its two Gigabit ports, integrators can manage the deployment without exposing management traffic to the audio VLAN — and without leaving a Windows PC running Dante® Controller permanently on the network.
Third-Party Control System Integration
Bridge Dante® management into an existing room control environment. Dual RS-232 ports, a TCP/IP control API, and Telnet/SSH let the VLDT-ANCTRL100 exchange commands with major control-system platforms, so a single touch panel or automation program can trigger Dante® routing and device actions alongside the rest of the AV system.
Houses of Worship & Performing Arts Venues
Manage stage boxes, amplifiers, and networked processors from one controller, with four configurable GPIO channels available to trigger relays, mute states, or auxiliary equipment. The PoE option means the controller can be powered directly from the network switch, simplifying installation in booths and equipment closets.
Corporate Campuses & Conference Centers
Centralize control of multi-room Dante® audio across boardrooms and divisible spaces. Remote web-GUI, app, and cloud access let facilities teams manage device pairing and routing from a central IT location without visiting each rack, while network isolation keeps the control plane secure.
Higher Education & Campus AV
Coordinate lecture-capture audio, classroom reinforcement, and networked processors from a single management point. The four configurable GPIO channels — with selectable 5V/12V logic and a 12V/0.5A power output — interface with relays, screens, and other non-networked equipment, unifying Dante® and conventional control under one appliance.
Specifications
| Processing & Control | |
|---|---|
| CPU / OS | ARM Cortex-A7 1GHz, Linux OS |
| Dante® Management | Integrated DAPI (Dante API); device discovery, routing, clock/status/event monitoring, and third-party Dante® device firmware update (Ultimo/DEP) |
| Control Methods | Web GUI (HTTP/HTTPS), TCP/IP API, Telnet, SSH, RS-232 (configurable baud rate) |
| Default Access | Control LAN 192.168.6.100 · Dante® LAN 169.254.8.100 · http://controller.local |
| Security | Password-protected GUI (6–8 char), built-in security management |
| Network | |
| Network Bandwidth | 1Gbps |
| Ports | 2x 1G RJ-45 — 1x Dante® LAN (PoE), 1x Control LAN; control network isolated from Dante® audio network |
| Transmission Distance | Up to 328ft / 100m via CAT5E/6/6A/7 |
| Connections | |
| Dante® LAN | 1x RJ-45, 1G, PoE (IEEE 802.3af) |
| Control LAN | 1x RJ-45, TCP/IP control |
| RS-232 | 2x 3-pin 3.81mm Phoenix (two identical serial ports) |
| Digital I/O | 1x 6-pin 3.81mm Phoenix — 4x I/O outputs + 1x ground + 1x power out (Vout, up to 12V/0.5A); selectable 5V / 12V via IO-level DIP switch |
| IR In | 1x 3.5mm jack, 12V level (reserved for future firmware expansion) |
| IR Out | 1x 3.5mm jack (reserved for future firmware expansion) |
| Update Port | 1x Micro-USB (5-pin female), firmware update |
| Controls / Indicators | Reset button, Power LED, Status LED (front panel) |
| DC Power In | 1x DC 12V/1A jack |
| Power | |
| Power Supply | DC 12V/1A (included) or PoE (IEEE 802.3af) via Dante® LAN port |
| Power Consumption | 8.4W (max) |
| Protection | |
| ESD Protection | IEC 61000-4-2: ±8kV (air-gap discharge), ±4kV (contact discharge) |
| Surge | Surge protection |
| Mechanical & Environmental | |
| Housing / Color | Metal enclosure, black |
| Dimensions | 204mm (W) × 98.5mm (D) × 21.5mm (H) |
| Weight | 521g |
| Rack Mounting | 6U V2 rack (up to 10 units vertically) or 1U V2 rack (2 units horizontally); mounting ears + screws included |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C ~ 40°C / 32°F ~ 104°F |
| Storage Temperature | -20°C ~ 60°C / -4°F ~ 140°F |
| Operating Humidity | 20% ~ 80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Storage Humidity | 10% ~ 90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Reliability | Designed for 24/7 continuous operation |
What’s in the Box
1 × VLDT-ANCTRL100 Dante® Controller Hardware Box
1 × 20kHz–60kHz 12V IR Receiver Cable (1.5m)
1 × IR Blaster Cable (1.5m)
2 × 3-pin 3.81mm Phoenix Connector (Male)
1 × 6-pin 3.81mm Phoenix Connector (Male)
2 × Mounting Ears
4 × Machine Screws (KM3×4)
1 × 12V/1A Locking Power Adaptor
1 × User Manual
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VLDT-ANCTRL100 and what does it do?
It's a dedicated hardware controller that discovers, pairs, routes, and monitors Dante®/AES67 devices on an audio network. It runs Linux on an ARM Cortex-A7 processor and integrates the Dante API (DAPI), presenting a built-in web GUI so you can manage a Dante® deployment from one always-on appliance instead of a dedicated PC.
Do I still need a PC running Dante® Controller software?
No. The VLDT-ANCTRL100 is designed to replace the dedicated Windows/macOS machine that typically runs Audinate's Dante® Controller. Its integrated DAPI and built-in web GUI handle device discovery, pairing, and routing directly, so there's no PC to keep powered and patched on the network.
Why does the controller have two network ports?
The two Gigabit RJ-45 ports let you isolate the control network from the Dante® audio network. One port connects to the Dante® audio LAN (and can be powered by PoE), the other to a separate control LAN — keeping management traffic off the audio path, which is a recommended topology for stable, secure deployments.
What is DAPI and how does the controller use it?
DAPI is the Dante API — the programmatic interface for managing Dante® devices. The VLDT-ANCTRL100 integrates DAPI natively, which is what lets it automatically discover devices and pair them without manual searching, and expose that control through its web GUI, TCP/IP, and app/cloud interfaces.
How does it integrate with third-party control systems?
Through its dual RS-232 ports and TCP/IP control API, plus Telnet and SSH. A control processor or touch-panel program can send commands to the VLDT-ANCTRL100 to trigger Dante® routing and device actions, letting Dante® management sit alongside the rest of the room's automation under one control layer.
What is the digital I/O port used for?
The 6-pin digital I/O provides four configurable I/O channels for controlling external devices, plus a ground pin and a power-output pin (Vout, up to 12V/0.5A). A DIP switch sets both the logic level and Vout to either 5V or 12V, letting the controller drive relays, trigger equipment, or power small external devices. The separate IR In/Out jacks are included but reserved for future firmware expansion.
How is the VLDT-ANCTRL100 powered?
Two ways: PoE (IEEE 802.3af) over the Dante® LAN port, or the included 12V/1A power adaptor. PoE lets you power it directly from a PoE switch, eliminating a separate supply in the rack. Maximum power consumption is 8.4W.
Does it support AES67 as well as Dante®?
Yes. The controller manages both Dante® and AES67 devices, including AES67 configuration of third-party Dante® devices, so it works in mixed networked-audio environments.
How do I access the controller's web interface?
By default, enter the Control LAN address 192.168.6.100, the Dante® LAN address 169.254.8.100, or the URL http://controller.local into a browser on the same network. The first login uses admin/admin and immediately prompts you to set a 6–8 character password before the GUI opens.
Can I manage the controller remotely?
Yes. Beyond the local web GUI, the controller supports TCP/IP API commands, Telnet, and SSH, plus app and cloud access management, so integrators can administer device pairing and routing from a central location. RS-232 baud rate, HTTPS, Telnet/SSH ports, and DHCP/static addressing are all configurable in Controller Settings.
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