Hi @Lozion
The A&H protocols that the SLink port can switch between are all intended for direct connection and are not IP based (like Dante for example), meaning it is not possible to create a ‘star’ configuration of units using a switch.
You can connect/cascade a maximum of two expanders to DX or dSnake ports (as found on Qu/GLD/dLive), and this is also the case when an SLink port is running in either of these modes.
The GigaACE/GX protocol is slightly different as it can be used for direct connection and there are a couple of exceptions with expansion:
The DX-Hub - ‘translates’ between the 128x128 96kHz Gigabit GigaACE protocol and the 32x32 96kHz Fast Ethernet DX protocol.
The GX4816 - which is like having an expander with local I/O that also includes the last two ports of a DX-Hub built-in (and the second of these is intelligent and can be used with DX or a ME system!)
When connecting directly to an SLink port, the port detects the speed of the connection then discovers expanders to know which mode to be in.
If it detects a gigabit speed (which could be from GigaACE, but also from connection to a gigabit switch) then it will switch to GigaACE.
If instead, it detects 10/100 fast ethernet, then it will switch to DX if it discovers a DX unit, or dSnake if it discovers a dSnake unit OR nothing (which would be a ME unit).
So it is possible to use a switch in-between the SLink port and an expander, but it has to be running at the correct speed for the protocol you are using and there can only be one expander connected directly to that switch.
There’s other things to consider if you use a managed switch.
For the situation you describe, in theory you could use [ multiple rooms <> 10/100 unmanaged switch <> SLink port ] and make sure you only connect the DX units in one place at a time and have nothing else on that network.
But we’d recommend a direct connection… or Dante.
Sounds like a fun project!
Cheers,
Keith.
PS - I realise you know most of this, but I’ve expanded (pun intended) for completeness.