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What you need to know about connecting SkyCoach to fiber-equipped stadiums

This article explains the information needed from stadium personnel to connect the SkyCoach network to stadiums equipped with fiber infrastructure

Table of Contents

Quick reference checklist

Before arriving at a fiber-equipped stadium, confirm:

  • [ ] I know exactly where the visiting coach room, the visiting sideline, the press box camera station, and the end zone camera station are
  • [ ] I know the location of the main network panel that links all 4 locations
  • [ ] I know the location of the network panel at the other locations
  • [ ] I know if the connection types between all 4 locations are ethernet or fiber and if fiber I know if it is LC, ST, or something else.
  • [ ] I have labeled photos of all fiber or ethernet ports that I will use
  • [ ] I know if home camera video feeds are available in the visiting coach room as an alternative
  • [ ] I have the converters necessary to connect to their fiber ports

What you need to know

If you’re traveling to a stadium equipped with fiber, it’s critical to gather specific information in advance to ensure you bring the right equipment and can set up successfully upon arrival.

The SkyCoach network can be extended via fiber or a stadium VLAN, but connections must be direct. If routed through a stadium switch, they cannot include services such as DHCP.

Before game day, you must understand exactly how the following locations connect to each other: the visiting coach room, the visiting sideline, the press box camera location, and the end zone camera location.

These connections vary by stadium and must be clearly understood ahead of time. Some stadiums may have:

  • A single network panel linking all locations via fiber

  • Fiber to some areas and ethernet to others

  • Different fiber connector types

  • VLAN configurations with DHCP enabled (which will prevent SkyCoach from working)

  • Fiber running through a DVSport switch that disrupts the SkyCoach router connection

The most reliable way to be prepared is to have clearly labeled photos of the network panel at each location, showing which ports to connect to and what each port links to.

💡 Tip: Share this article with the home team's technical staff with your list of questions so that they have a better understanding of your questions.

Essential questions for stadium technical staff

Request the following information to determine the fiber setup configuration:

Network connectivity

  • Provide a general description of how the visiting coach room, visiting sideline, press box camera location, and end zone camera location are connected
  • Is there a single network panel that connects all 4 locations?
    • Is the main panel that connects all locations in the visitor coach room, a control room, the press box camera location, or somewhere else?
    • Are the connections to the other locations fiber, ethernet, or mixed?
      • Ex. Network panel in visiting coach room. Fiber to the end zone and sideline. Ethernet to the press box camera location.
    • If fiber
      • Are there at least 2 single mode strands linking each connection?
      • What kind of connection is it? LC, ST, or something else?
    • If ethernet
      • Is it a straight run or a dedicated VLAN without DHCP?
      • If VLAN stadium switch is DHCP turned off or can it be?

Documentation request

Clear visual documentation significantly reduces setup time and prevents connection errors. It also reduces stress leading up to arrival.

Request the following from stadium personnel:

  • Labeled photographs of network panels at each location
  • Clear marking or annotation showing which ports connect to specific areas
  • Photos should include the visitor coach room, press box camera location, sideline area, and end zone location panels
  • Examples provided from teams
    Coach Room      Sideline Clear Label
FIBER PATH IGV

Caution: Chances for success are far lower without proper documentation. Request photos as soon as you can. Don't wait. Often the photos lead to more questions.

DVSport stadiums

  • IGV - Supporting Non-DVSport Solution.pdf
  • Even though the DVSport documentation states that there are open fiber ports for you to use that do not run through the DVSport switch, you will have to verify this with each stadium. It will not always be the case. They may have to disonnect the DVSport switch from the fiber for you to connect to it.
  • Can the visiting team use the DVSport Network Switch in the Visiting Coaches
    Booth?
    • No, this switch is on the DVSport Replay/IGV network and thus can’t be used by another solution.
    • There will be fiber in the visiting coaches booth that can be used to create their network for their IGV solution.
    • Visiting teams should bring a Fiber Media Converter (Fiber to Ethernet
      Converter) and any other network equipment they need for their solution (i.e. a
      switch, wireless access point, etc.). T eams could also bring a switch that accepts fiber.
  • Can the visiting team use the DVSport Network Switch on the Field?
    • No, this switch is on the DVSport Replay/IGV network and thus can’t be used by
      another solution.
    • There will be fiber on the visiting sideline that can be used to create their network for their IGV solution.

Network compatibility requirements

The SkyCoach network requires dedicated ethernet/fiber connections without competing network services

  • The fiber connection cannot route through a DVSport switch or similar products that assigns IP addresses
  • No DHCP services can exist on the fiber network besides the SkyCoach router
  • VLANs are acceptable if no competing services are enabled
  • The SkyCoach router must maintain direct communication with all endpoints

Alternative video options

  • If the home team provides SDI video feeds from the home press box camera and the home end zone camera to the visitor coach room, this will eliminate having to link the camera locations to the SkyCoach network. The video capture devices can be located in the room and connected directly to the SkyCoach router. In this scenario all you have to do is link the visiting room to the visiting sideline.

Network panel examples

Typical SkyCoach fiber setups

 

Host box placement

The host box contains the SkyCoach router and server and is to be positioned at the main network panel location

  • Place the host box where the main network panel connects to all required locations
  • Connect the SkyCoach router to fiber ports using fiber-to-ethernet converters
  • Each converter requires two strands of single mode fiber for two-way communication
  • Most common placement is in the visitor coach room when fiber panel is present
  • Alternative placement at the press box camera location if the fiber panel is located there

Backup plan

There are only a few rare scenarios where the SkyCoach antennas will not work. As long as you know the path from the sideline film deck to the coach rooms, you can always setup your network as you do at your home stadium. Be prepared to do this if you get there and reality does not match what was described.

iPad WiFi in extreme environments

It is strongly recommended that you have ethernet adapters for your sideline iPads in case stadium antennas overwhelm the SkyCoach WiFi.

Document for future reference

  • Once successfully setup, record a quick video showing the connections and describing what they link to.
  • Historical documents link
    • Network infrastructure can change so always confirm these are still accurate

 

Tip: Use this template to email your contact at the venue you are playing.

Email Template: Stadium Network Information Request for SkyCoach Setup

 

Subject: Quick Network Info Request – [TEAM NAME] Visit [DATE]

Hi [Contact Name],

For our upcoming game on [DATE], we’ll be using the SkyCoach system for in game video and need some quick info to ensure smooth setup.

We need to know:

How the following locations are connected:

  • Visiting coach room
  • Visiting sideline
  • Press box camera
  • End zone camera

The connection type for each link (fiber or ethernet)

If fiber:

  • Are there at least 2 single mode strands?
  • What are the connector types (LC, ST, other)?
  • Is the fiber outside of the DVSport switch?
    • SkyCoach will not work if routed through the DVSport switch

If ethernet:

  • Direct or VLAN? If VLAN, is DHCP disabled?
    • SkyCoach will not work if DHCP is enabled on the VLAN

Is there a single panel linking all locations? Where is it? For instance, is the panel in the visiting coach room or the sideline film location? 

Are SDI feeds from home team sideline and end zone cameras available in the visiting coach room?

Please also send labeled photos of network panels at each location showing:

  • Ports to use
  • What the ports connect to
  • Connection type

This info lets us bring the right gear and avoid delays. If possible, please send by [DATE].

More details: SkyCoach Fiber Requirements

Thanks,