Axia LiveWire streams use a proprietary protocol to send streams using a Multicast technique. There are encapsulated RTP (Real Time Protocol) packets making up the LiveWire stream. The routers used for Axia receive the streams from the network and create another point source for the stream that can duplicate packets and send them to multiple addresses. This is all managed by IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol). Cisco Switches with Lan Base are commonly used for the Axia network. The computer running DirectStream requires a direct Ethernet connection to a port that supports IGMP so the software can join Multicast Groups. Usually, that means a second Interface Card just for audio. With a "List Device" entered in the settings, the software selects the interface that includes that IP address automatically. Using the defined device, DirectStream extracts Axia sources over port 80. The "List Device" must be an Axia device with a web interface enabled and be capable of sending and receiving audio streams. This can be any Axia xNode or other audio device like a Mix Engine or PowerStation. Since every audio device on an Axia network holds a complete list of sources, it makes since to ask a device that has already done the work of polling every other audio device on the network.