Arcadia: Preparing a Cold Standby Arcadia
Aug 25, 2025
Arcadia includes various internal features to facilitate a redundant cold standby (secondary) unit for a manual switchover. This is where you can physically switch FreeSpeak, HelixNet, V-Series, IV Direct, and analog connections between identically configured Arcadia devices and have system components reconnect.
The primary and identically configured cold standby Arcadia units MUST NOT be powered on OR on the same network at the same time.
Dante interfaces do not allow for cloned standby units to be configured but does allow routing changes to change over to a different device.
Please see a section on Dante switchover later in this chapter.
Similar proceadures for other systems can be found here
HelixNet HMS-4X Cold Standby Unit
Configuring the system
On: Arcadia Primary Unit
Configure
To prepare a cold standby unit for manual switchover you would start with getting your primary Arcadia system paired to all endpoints, and the system fully connected and configured.Record
Document the name of the Arcadia unit, its IP settings and Wireless System ID.Save
Once connected and configured save the configuration of the primary Arcadia.
On: Arcadia Secondary Unit
Verify Networking
Ensure the Secondary unit is not on the same physical network as the Primary Arcadia unit.Restore with Network Settings & System ID
Open the CCM and select Restore Configuration
Restore the Configuration with Network Settings and Wireless System ID.Verify Configuration Restored
Ensure that the System ID, IP settings and the name of the Arcadia match those of the Primary unit.
Switching between Arcadia Primary & Secondary Units
The primary Arcadia unit can now be switched out for the secondary Arcadia unit in its most basic form by physically moving the Network, FreeSpeak E1, and analog connections from the primary to the secondary unit.
As this switching is done, transceivers and user stations will reconnect with the role fixed to them in the configuration. Key listens will come up in their initial state—unlatched and at a unity level unless otherwise configured.
Once fully configured, it is recommended to test the switchover and observe its behavior within the infrastructure that supports it.
Dante switchover using Dante Controller Presets
Dante doesn't recommend using identically configured cold standby units. However, if no other Arcadia functionality (e.g., Management) is configured on the LAN ports, this allows the Dante ports of both the primary and secondary Arcadia units to be connected to the Dante network at the same time and make use of the Dante Controller's Presets functionality for switchover.
To do this, go to Dante Controller
Configure the Dante network for the primary Arcadia unit, including all routing.
Go to File -> Save Preset
Select the primary Arcadia unit.
All Receiving Dante stream information will be stored in the Preset.Click on Advanced.
Ensure "Name" and "Rx Channel Subscription" are checked at a minimum, but it's recommended that all information is included.Save as the Primary Arcadia preset.
Repeat all of the above steps for the secondary Arcadia unit.
You can now restore the preset for either the primary or secondary Arcadia units in Dante Controller.
Implementing into your workflows
Various 3rd-party options could be used to perform the switchover, such as 3rd-party port switchers or network switch port controls, in addition to VLAN or preset assignments, depending on your infrastructure. Clear-Com recommends a simple deployment, clear labeling, tested and documented procedure for how to switch between primary and secondary Arcadia units in your infrastructure.
Theory of operation - For troubleshooting
FreeSpeak Tranceivers
FreeSpeak E1 Transceivers connect via a physical connection to the Arcadia.
FreeSpeak IP Transceivers broadcast their mDNS name on the network which gets stored in the configuration of Arcadia upon pairing. Arcadia will then connect to this transceiver when visible on the network.
FreeSpeak Beltpacks
FreeSpeak Transceivers broadcast the System ID of Arcadia to any FreeSpeak beltpack within range.
FreeSpeak beltpack pairing stores the System ID of Arcadia in the beltpack System Connect screen. This will allow the beltpack to connect to any active Arcadia with an identical configuration of beltpack pairing and System ID delivering either the list of available Roles or get assigned the fixed Role.
FreeSpeak beltpack pairing stores the Beltpacks unique ID in the Arcadia system configuration which Arcadia used to allow the beltpack to connect to the system.
HelixNet User Stations
HelixNet User Stations connect to the mDNS or IP address of Arcadia once paired either from the HelixNet User Station front panel menu or from the Arcadia CCM via mDNS. Upon reconnecting the HelixNet User Station will either request the last Role it used or use a Fixed Role, if configured.
I.V. Connected Direct from LQ or V-Series Keypanel
V-Series Keypanel and I.V. Directs (I.V. Ports) generally have an unique user name and password established in the Arcadia and stored in the configuration. The Keypanel or Direct then logs in to the Arcadia IP address, port number, user name and password on whichever the primary or secondary Arcadia is available on the network. V-Series Keypanels will automatically get a Role if one is fixed to it in the configuration.
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