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GLPAC Expansion Setup

Version 7.2 by Alexander Mott on 2022/06/10 16:43

GLPACs in SHOWRUNNER™

GLPACs are an all-in-one, processor plus 0-10V load controller produced by Crestron. They are available in 4-channel (GLPAC-DIMFLV4) and 8-channel (GLPAC-DIMFLV8) varieties. GLPACs can be used in stand-alone configurations using either the built-in SpaceBuilder program or Chief Integrations' own CI-GLPAC program. 

Most SHOWRUNNER™ jobs using GLPACs are not using them in a standalone configuration, however. SHOWRUNNER™ jobs with networked GLPACs use the 3-Series or 4-Series processor to run the program logic, and treat the GLPACs as load controllers rather than as separate processors. Each GLPAC must have its IP settings configured, be loaded with a GLPAC-Expansion program, and then have its IP table updated.

When a SHOWRUNNER™ job with GLPACs is shipped, Chief integrations will provide several files:

  • The GLPAC expansion program (A folder called "GLPAC" containing CI.Lighting.ShowRunner_GLPAC-Expansion.spz)
  • A Load Script to streamline loading the program to the GLPACs (GLPAC_LoadScript.txt)
  • The main SHOWRUNNER™ configuration file (SrConfig.json or CiLightingConfig.json)
  • The job hardware takeoff (SRTakeoff.xlsx)

The IP address and IP-ID of each GLPAC is important to proper functionality. Unless otherwise requested, Chief Integrations will assign default IP addresses to all GLPACs on the job. These IP addresses are recorded in the provided hardware takeoff. If network requirements on the jobsite require changing the IP address of any GLPAC or the processor, then both the provided configuration file and load script will need to be updated with the new IP information.

Using non-default GLPAC IP Addresses

If GLPACs need to be configured with different IP addresses than are given in the hardware takeoff, then the showrunner configuration file must be updated:

  • Open the configuration .json in a text editor (Notepad++ or VS Code recommended)
  • Press ctrl+h to open the "Find/Replace" menu
  • In the "Find" field, put the old GLPAC IP address
  • In the "Replace" field, put the new GLPAC IP address
  • Press the replace all button 

The 

Using non-default processor IP Address

The SHOWRUNNER™ configuration file

For jobs with GLPACs, Chief Integrations will provide a load script to streamline the GLPAC configuration process. The IP addresses for each GLPAC are set to Chief Integrations default addresses unless otherwise requested. These IP addresses are provided in the IP Table section of the SRTakeoff.xlsx spreadsheet. If these IP addresses need to be changed to meet the job's network requirements, then SHOWRUNNER™ configuration file will need to be updated:

  • Open the configuration file in VS Code, Notepad++, or another text editor of your choice
  • Press ctrl+h to open the "Find/Replace" menu
    • In the "Find" field, put the old GLPAC IP Address
    • In the "Replace" field, put the new GLPAC IP Address
    • Press the "Replace All" button
  • Repeat these steps for all GLPACs that have altered IP addresses

If either the GLPAC or the processor's IP address needs to be changed to meet the job's network requirements, then the load script will also need to be updated:

  • Open the GLPAC_LoadScript.txt file in a text editor of your choice
  • Press ctrl+h to open the "Find/Replace" menu
    • In the "Find" field, put the old GLPAC IP Address
    • In the "Replace" field, put the new GLPAC IP Address
    • Press the "Replace All" button
  • Repeat the previous step for all GLPACs that have altered IP addresses
  • Press ctrl+h to open the "Find/Replace" menu again
    • In the "Find" field, put the old processor IP Address
    • In the "Replace" field, put the new processor IP Address
    • Press the "Replace All" button

IP Configuration

Theoretically, GLPACs should be able to be configured over Ethernet using a computer that is running a DHCP server (or if they are on a network with a processor running the SHOWRUNNER™ DHCP Server). In practice, however, GLPACs will oftentimes fail to take an IP address from a DHCP server and still require manual configuration via USB.

  • Connect to the GLPAC via USB
  • Open Text Console and run the following commands to configure the GLPACs IP settings (example is for a GLPAC at 10.0.0.11 on a 10.0.0.0/24 subnet)
    • Disable DHCP: dhcp off
    • Set IP address: ipa 0 10.0.0.11
    • Set IP subnet mask: ipm 0 255.255.255.0
    • Set default gateway: defr 0 10.0.0.1
    • Set hostname: host GLPAC-1
    • Reboot the GLPAC: reboot
  • All GLPACs on the job will need to be configured in this way, but if the network is not up (i.e., if it is not yet possible to plug in at one location and communicate via Ethernet to all GLPACs on the job) then it is more time efficient to proceed and load the program over USB before moving on to the next GLPAC

Loading the GLPAC Expansion Program

Using Chief Integrations Provided Load Script

  • Chief Integrations typically provides a Load Script 
  • The load script 
    • The script is set up using the Chief Integrations chosen IP addresses unless otherwise requested. If the GLPACs or processor are at different IP addresses, then the script will need to be edited as described above
    • The load script must be in the same folder as a folder called "GLPAC" with the GLPAC Expansion program in it:
      1654877108357-278.png
  • Set the IP addresses on all GLPACs per your network requirements.  The script will need to be updated if IP Addresses are changed from Chief Integrations chosen IP Addresses.
  • Using Toolbox -> Script Manager, select the Scripting dropdown or right click and select “Load Script”.  Find the text file provided.
  • Provided the given IPs can be seen on the network, double or right clicking an entry will load the program and link the IP table, enabling control through showrunner™
  • Say yes to the dialog warning the hardware does not match (if prompted), and yes to overwrite the IP table (if prompted)

Manually Loading the GLPAC Expansion

  • Connect to the GLPAC via Text Console