Is it necessary for a router to join VLANs in a Dante network?

In a Dante network, it is not necessary for a router to join VLANs because Dante operates primarily at Layer 2 of the OSI model, which means it is designed to function efficiently on local area networks (LANs) without requiring routing to different VLANs. Dante uses multicast and unicast methods for transmitting audio streams, relying on the underlying Ethernet infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of audio packets.

In most scenarios, Dante devices communicate directly with each other within the same VLAN without needing to route traffic through a router. This simplifies the setup and minimizes latency, which is crucial for real-time audio applications. Routers are more relevant for connecting different subnets or VLANs, but in a typical Dante implementation focused on audio distribution, this isn't a requirement.

In cases where multiple VLANs are in use, the configuration would involve dedicated networking equipment capable of handling VLAN tagging and switching without necessitating that the router actively participate in the Dante audio stream routing process. Thus, while VLANs can be used for organizational and management purposes in a Dante environment, the routers themselves do not need to be involved directly in the audio data transfer.