IP-VFC Interoperability
The IP-VFC card has been specifically tested and validated working with a range of Disguise hardware, software and third-party devices.
Disguise Hardware
Section titled “Disguise Hardware”Backplane version
Section titled “Backplane version”The IP-VFC card has been designed to work in Disguise media servers with Backplane v2 (BP2) only. This is a property of the individual server rather than the model, so check yours before planning an IP-VFC workflow. If your server does not have Backplane v2, a paid upgrade is available to make it compatible with the IP-VFC.
To check which you have, look at the server’s GUI output connector. Backplane v2 uses DisplayPort 1.4, Backplane v1 uses DisplayPort 1.2.
Disguise Software
Section titled “Disguise Software”The IP-VFC card runs special firmware. We recommend using FW 26.2, which requires Designer r34.1 or above. Every firmware version, along with the firmware updater tool, can be downloaded from the Resources page.
The following compatibility table shows which Designer versions are compatible with specific IP-VFC firmware releases:
| Designer version | IP-VFC FW Version |
|---|---|
| r34.1+ | 26.2 |
| r29.0 to r34.0.4 | 23.0.7 to 25.1 |
| r23.3 to r28.1.1 | 1.0.1 |
To update or rollback your IP-VFC card’s firmware, follow the guide here.
Media Server Model
Section titled “Media Server Model”The tables below compare firmware versions against media server models, one table for each VFC mode.
Every combination below also requires a media server with Backplane v2, which is a property of the individual server rather than the model.
IP-VFC firmware is not supported on the VX 2+ or VX 3. If you are planning an IP-VFC workflow, we recommend using a GX 3, GX 3+ or VX 4+.
ST 2110 support
Section titled “ST 2110 support”The support shown below applies to Single and Quad split modes at resolutions from 1080p to 2160p, synchronised using PTP.
| Media Server | FW 24.4 r29.0 to r34.0.4 | FW 25.1 r29.0 to r34.0.4 | FW 26.2 r34.1+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| GX 3 | Partial | Yes | Yes |
| GX 3+ | No | No | Yes |
| VX 4+ | Partial | No | Yes |
| VX 2+ | No | No | No |
| VX 3 | No | No | No |
SDI support
Section titled “SDI support”The support shown below applies to Single and Quad split modes at resolutions from 1080p to 2160p, synchronised using EXT.
For SDI, use FW 26.2. If you are held on a Designer version earlier than r34.1, use FW 24.4.
| Media Server | FW 24.4 r29.0 to r34.0.4 | FW 25.1 r29.0 to r34.0.4 | FW 26.2 r34.1+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| GX 3 | Partial* | No | Yes |
| GX 3+ | Partial* | No | Yes |
| VX 4+ | Partial* | No | Yes |
| VX 2+ | No | No | No |
| VX 3 | No | No | No |
* Single mode supported. Quad mode is behind the enableIPSDIExperimentalModes option switch.
FW 25.1 is supported on the GX 3 only, for ST 2110 with PTP.
For current GX 3+ format support details, see the GX 3+ IP-VFC Support Guidelines.
Disguise Network Switch
Section titled “Disguise Network Switch”We support outputting ST 2110 Video from an IP-VFC over our Disguise Fabric network switch.
We recognise that users may already have access to a high-speed network switch, or have requirements to accessing a network switch with their own configuration. The following minimum requirements must be met for any network switch being used alongside IP-VFC
- IGMP snooping must be enabled on the required network ports used to connect to each IP-VFC in order to manage and control the flow of Layer 3 multicast traffic.
- If you intend to quad-split a 100Gb port to 4x 25GbE links then forward error correction (FEC) must be disabled on each port that has been quad-split.
- Jumbo packets should be disabled on the required network ports used to connect to each IP-VFC being used.
- RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) version 2 must be supported, specifically lossless mode.
- Quality of Service (QoS) must be maintained to prioritise media streams over control traffic.
- If a PTP grandmaster is being used for synchronisation within the video system then we strongly recommend having a network port on the network switch assigned for this connection.
Third-party products
Section titled “Third-party products”Network switches
Section titled “Network switches”There is an increasing number of SMPTE ST 2110-compatible network switches that have worked in ST 2110 video systems alongside Disguise.
As of May 2026, we have validated the following switches:
- Arista DCS-7060CX-32S - up to 32x 100GbE QSFP28 ports and 2x SFP+ ports
- Mellanox MSN2100-CB2F - up to 16x QSFP28 ports
- Mellanox MSN4600-CS2FC - up to 64x QSFP28 ports
- Netgear M4350-16C - up to 16x 100GbE QSFP28 ports
LED processors
Section titled “LED processors”There are now a number of LED processors on the market that support ST 2110 video inputs, which have worked in ST 2110 video systems alongside Disguise. As of July 2024, these include:
- Colorlight Z8 - optional ST 2110 input card support 25GbE input via the SFP28 module for video input at up to 4K DCI 60fps 4:4:4 12-bit. The input card also includes a second 25GbE input for seamless protection switching using the SMPTE 2022-7 spec. Learn more about the Z8 processor here
- Megapixel Helios - optional 100GbE input card supports up to 4 streams at both 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 up to 12-bit. The Megapixel Helios must also be updated to v22.11 or later. Learn more about the Megapixel Helios and 100GbE input here.
- 7th Sense Juggler - I/O cards support either 25GbE or 100GbE input via the SFP28 and QSFP28 modules for video inputs at up to 4K DCI 60fps 4:4:4 12-bit. Learn more about the Juggler here.
SDI Matrices
Section titled “SDI Matrices”Most standard SDI Matrices that support 12G SDI inputs work with the IP-VFC in 12G SDI mode.
SFP modules
Section titled “SFP modules”Disguise specifically whitelists certain models of SFP for outputting SDI or ST 2110 Network video from the IP-VFC. You can find the supported SFPs here:
We strongly recommend the usage of OM4 fibre, which is a high-bandwidth multimode optical fibre.
LC to LC OM4 fibre cables should be used for 25GbE networking.
MTP to Quad LC OM4 breakout fibre cables should be used for connections between 100GbE and 4x 25GbE.