Using OLA

Using LLA

LLA is a utility that allows applications to send and receive DMX using various hardware devices and DMX over IP protocols. Hardware devices and protocols can also be connected together and LLA will route the DMX between the two.

LLA consists of 4 parts:

- the lla daemon (llad)
- the lla client library (liblla)
- various lla plugins (libllaX)
- example programs (lla_dev_info, lla_patch etc.)

LLA Terminology

Port: A port represents up to 512 DMX channels that sends data (OUT port) or receives data (IN port). It can be either a physical port on a device or a virtual port created by a DMX over IP protocol.

Device: A device is a group of ports, for example some devices might have an input and output port.

Plugin A LLA plugin supports a group of physical devices or a DMX over IP protocol. Example plugins include ArtNet, ShowNet, EspNet, DmxUsbPro, OpenDmx, StageProfi, Dmx4Linux etc. On startup plugins look for the devices they are responsible for and set them up.

Universe: A universe is a set of 512 DMX channels. Ports can be bound to universes in which case they'll either send the data for the universe (in the case of output ports) or set the values for the universe (for input ports)

Client: A client is another application that connects to LLA using liblla.

Using LLA

In the general case you want to:

- start the lla daemon
- patch some output ports to universes
- patch an input port or run a client application

How to start llad

For testing run llad in non-forking, log to stdout, debug level 3:

llad -d 3 -f -s
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LLA is a daemon and some small apps that uses it. The daemon llad must be started as root.

How to make an interface ready to use

Before an interface (e.g. a USB dongle) can be used, a port on a device must be patched (assigned) to a universe.

First you can use the command lla_dev_info to look up which number the desired interface and port has.

Then the command lla_patch can be given the numbers just found and the desired universe, so they get connected.

Finally the setup can be tested with lla_dmxconsole or lla_dmxmonitor to set or receive DMX values.

Command line options can be seen here.