Should MFDs be interfaced to one another via SeaTalkng or Ethernet?

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Should MFDs be interfaced to one another via SeaTalkng or Ethernet?

Should more than one Raymarine product featuring an Ethernet network (RayNet/SeaTalkHS) interface (a/c/e/eS/gS-Series MFDS, CPxxx Sounder Modules, Quantum/Digital/HD Digital/SuperHD Digital Radomes and Open Array Radar Scanners, Thermal Cameras, CAM200IP, etc.) be installed onboard, then these devices must be interfaced to a common Ethernet network to fully communicate with one another. Failure to do so will prevent the sharing radar, cartography, fishinder, weather, IP camera video, waypoint, routes, tracks, etc. between the system's MFDs. To view Raymarine Ethernet networking products, click here.

Raymarine's 6" and 7" a/e/eS-Series MFDs feature a single Ethernet network socket permitting them to be interfaced to one other Raymarine product featuring an Ethernet network interface. Raymarine's 9", 12", and 16" a/c/e/eS-Series MFDs feature two Ethernet network sockets permitting them to be interfaced to one other Raymarine product featuring an Ethernet network interface. Raymarine's 9", 12", and 16" gS-Series MFDs feature three Ethernet network (Gigabit and POE) sockets permitting them to be interfaced to one other Raymarine product featuring an Ethernet network interface. Should the MFD(s) not feature sufficient Ethernet network sockets to interface all of the Raymarine products featuring an Ethernet network interface, then it will be necessary to install a HS5 RayNet Network Switch(es) to support interfacing the additional Ethernet devices. As the Ethernet network circuitry of a/c/e/eS-Series MFDs is not operational when these MFDs are switched OFF, many customers opt to connect all of the Raymarine products featuring an Ethernet network interface to a HS5 RayNet Network Switch(es). The latter installation method offers a degree of redundancy to the system as well a some flexibility in choosing which MFD will function as the system's Data Master.

With respect to SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 and MFDs, only the Data Master MFD must be interfaced to the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone. All data received by the Data Master MFD from the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone will be shared with the other Ethernet networked MFDs. For reasons of redundancy and flexibility with respect to limiting the number of MFDs which will be switched ON at any time some owners/installers will interface two or more MFDs to the SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 backbone. Doing so permits changing the system's Data Master without need for changing the way that the system is networked. SeaTalkng/NMEA 2000 communications will be ignored by any MFD which has not been configured as the Data Master MFD. In an Ethernet Network of MFDs, only one MFD may be configured as the system's Data Master.

RAYFAQ#