General Description
The Mongoose and its Tracker software work with Rane’s Remotes Audio Devices (RADs) and your CobraNet network to deliver digital audio to the “last mile” of installations – between the equipment room/rack and remote spaces. OK, it’s not a mile, we lied: it’s actually 100 meters (328 feet to those in Liberia, Myanmar and the USA).
The Mongoose’s 32-by-32 digital audio matrix router receives its first 16 audio channels from up to eight RADs via the eight rear panel 8P8C (RJ-45) Remote Audio Device ports. The second 16 matrix input channels come from two eight-channel CobraNet receive (Rx) Bundles via standard CobraNet Primary and Secondary/backup ports. The 32 matrix router outputs transmit 16 channels to eight RADs and 16 more channels to two CobraNet transmit (Tx) Bundles.
A family of RAD models is shown below. Each converts analog audio to or from 24-bit, 48 kHz digital audio. Each RAD mounts in a standard US electrical gang box, typically scattered throughout a facility. Standard CAT 5 cable and termination transport four digital audio channels – two channels in each direction – as well as power, ground and a communications channel via Rane’s proprietary RAD Network.
Mongoose’s rear panel Ethernet port provides for direct or network connection to a computer running Rane’s Mongoose Tracker setup software. Inexpert users are assured easy network communications with Zeroconf (Link-local/mDNS) and DHCP support. Gone are the days of installers requiring intricate IP knowledge. Yet, facility network managers can configure Mongoose like any other IP network device. The Ethernet port also supports Auto MDI/MDIX which automatically detects and permits either an Ethernet crossover cable (included) or a standard Ethernet cable to be used when directly connecting to a computer for setup.
Rear Panel
Click on the images for a close-up. Right-click to zoom and pan.
RADs (Remote Audio Devices)
Mongoose Tracker Software (included)
