ACN is a suite of network protocols for theatrical control developed by ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association). It is also referred to as BSR E1.17, Entertainment Technology – Multipurpose Network Control Protocol Suite.
It may replace DMX as the control protocol for lighting systems and will be used for controlling more complex devices like video playback servers (media servers) and audio mixers. The protocol is designed to be layered on top of UDP/IP and therefore will run over standard, inexpensive Ethernet and 802.11 (WiFi) network links.