Back in 2012, after three editions and almost two decades with a publisher, I started self-publishing my book, Show Networks and Control Systems (available in print and Kindle versions here). I then decided to do something the publisher would have never let me do: put up free lecture videos directly reviewing the content in the book. I did this so that my students at City Tech could watch these lectures and read the chapter at their own pace, and I made these free on my website where they have gotten thousands of views over the last eight years. At City Tech, with the lectures online, the in person classes are about reviewing any questions from the lecture material and doing hands-on labs. This setup worked well and also allowed me to do workshops for other schools, union locals, and the like around the US and even in Canada.

Well of course this year, all that’s changed, and I’m not able to meet with any students in person. So, for my City Tech students, I did the labs here at home as demonstrations, and now I’m sharing these videos with you here, at least until the immediate pandemic crisis is over. While of course nothing beats hands-on work, watching these demonstrations you can at least get additional insight into the materials. And, if you happen to have access to a couple of old computers, you’re welcome to follow along and do the labs at home.

What is Covered and Who is the Intended Audience?

The lab demonstrations I’m posting here, and their related book chapters, cover the core of introductory show networking knowledge I think is needed for live show networking. These materials are geared towards people new to networking but with some experience in and understanding of live show technology. For more detail about what’s in each chapter, I have the table of contents (and a google searchable book version) available here. Note also that I don’t own any Apple products so while the written labs cover both Mac and PC, the lab demonstrations are PC only.

How Does it Work?

Read the book chapter and/or watch the lecture video; since you’re jumping in the middle of my normal class structure, and depending on your background, you may need to go back and read/watch previous chapters as well. All the lecture videos are posted here. Download the associated lab sheet. The labs are based around free and open source software, and especially the great software Packet Sender (please donate to support that software if you can). Watch the lab demonstration video. If possible, (if you have a couple old computers around, I wouldn’t mess with your main computer if you’re new to this) try some of the lab procedures at home.

Note: These videos have a lot of detail and are best viewed on a larger screen and not a phone.

Networking Part 1

This first unit is based around Chapter 16, Networking Basics. Please read the chapter and/or watch this video: