But any computer with an Ethernet interface will do. Ethernet is the more entrenched network. Ethernet is evolving faster than IEEE1394 in terms of capabilities and bandwidth, and Ethernet is cheaper than IEEE1394. There is really only one type of CobraNet deployed today. Let's say I want to send QSControl II over the same wire as CobraNet.
Ethernet allows for multiple protocols to coexist on the same wire.
They do not interfere with each other. They do not even see each other. Control protocols consume less bandwidth than you would think. The control traffic is typically a crumb when compared with the audio traffic. With 100Mbit and Gigabit networks, we do not see congestion.