Lighting and control
Swisson XND-4
A four-port node for sending Art-Net or sACN to DMX lines. Identify the exact variant and port before changing network settings.
Model and connections
| Model and connections | Swisson XND-4 |
|---|---|
| Family | XND-4: four ports; not XND-8 |
| Variants | B: box; R: rack. Suffixes 3/5/8: 3-pin XLR / 5-pin XLR / RJ45 |
| Other variant | XND-4D: DIN rail, RJ45 and terminals, external power supply |
| Revision | Manual V01-08; verify each unit’s firmware and hardware |
Show scenario
The controller discovers the node, but one fixture line does not respond. We propose tracing source → universe → port → cable → fixture, changing one variable at a time.
We can assess a node, correct adapters, configuration, line labeling and recovery rehearsal. A DMX splitter may be an alternative when all branches need the same universe. Start with the use, date and venue.
Prepare the system
- Record the label, hardware, firmware, IP, netmask and port settings.
- Confirm Ethernet link and an agreed network with unique addresses; do not apply example addresses to someone else’s network.
- For network-to-fixture operation, set the intended port to Output with the correct protocol and universe; verify Apply or save.
- Test a known DMX cable and one fixture with the correct address and personality, then reconnect the remaining line.
Questions and solutions
Does discovering the node prove it is sending DMX?
No. Discovery and lighting data are separate checks. Read port status and confirm that the controller is actually sending the assigned universe and protocol.
What if the port is set to Input or Off?
Network-to-DMX operation needs Output. Avoid changing all ports together: some may intentionally be inputs. Input support depends on hardware and firmware and cannot be assumed on older units.
What do No Update and No DMX mean?
The manual defines No Update as no updates on that universe for ten seconds, and No DMX as no DMX reception or transmission. Record status, port direction and source before concluding there is a physical fault.
Why can’t I open the web interface?
The manual specifies firmware 1.03 onward and units produced after 2017, hardware revision 1.0-b. Check IP and network; use the applicable local controls if the hardware does not meet that condition.
What happens when controller data stops?
Configurable behavior includes Off and Hold Last Look. Agree on and rehearse the show’s response. Holding a look is not a safety system and does not correct an unintended data source.
Should I select Relaxed for a flickering fixture?
The manual offers Relaxed, approximately 30 Hz, to help with older fixtures versus approximately 44 Hz for Max. Frame Rate. Compare outside the performance after checking cable, termination and profile; it is not a universal repair.
Precautions
- Do not treat a DMX RJ45 output as Ethernet: check labeling and the variant’s pinout.
- Follow the rating label and manual for power, grounding and mounting. XND-4D uses an external supply, unlike mains-powered variants.
Sources and documentation
Consulted October 23, 2026. Manual V01-08 dated October 28, 2020; features depend on hardware and firmware. Line test proposed.