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Technology Guidelines

IPTV
Version: 1.0 DRAFT
Status: Proposed – 02/23/01
Contact: Pamela Perdue

Purpose

To define a core infrastructure for deploying IPTV video streaming across VCCS Local & Wide Area Networks.

Scope

This guideline describes the implementation of the VCCS infrastructure for IPTV video streaming across Network Virginia and/or College Campus.

Applicability

This guideline is applicable to all VCCS colleges and campuses.

GUIDELINE

Today’s technology provides different methods of implementing video streaming.  The solution defined by this guideline was tested as part of the IPTV pilot project.  This guideline will define what is necessary to expand those video-streaming capabilities to all colleges.

 Once a college chooses to be a broadcast or receive location, modifications to the Local Area Network are required.  All locations participating in IPTV must support a minimum of a switched infrastructure that supports Multi-cast Border Gateway Protocol (MBGP).  All routers and switches that will support the video streams will have to support this protocol to allow the video stream to pass through the LAN to the receiving desktop. 

 Design priorities for the college include a review of the LAN total bandwidth utilization.  Depending on the number of sessions to and from the IPTV clients and servers, the location of the video archives (local or remote) and local bandwidth management capabilities, the local topology may need upgrading.  The college should plan to implement a VLAN configuration for broadcast and multicast control to separate streaming clients from the rest of the network.  This will reduce management, bandwidth and network “noise” issues.  Broadcast locations will need to plan for the number of streams to be supported within the LAN and across the WAN.  Content management and distribution will need to be addressed and is not included in this document.

IPTV STANDARDS

A key advantage of IP/TV is its use of industry-standard technologies for its networking protocols. This allows for interoperability with the Internet's Multicast Backbone (MBONE), ease of web integration and use of standard off-the-shelf authoring tools.

IP/TV uses standard IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) protocols to ensure consistent and time-dependent data delivery, and the Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) for VCR-like programming controls. IP/TV can run on virtually any network type, including 10/100BaseT Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, cable and ADSL modems, ATM and other networks with LAN emulation.

Because IP/TV is codec independent, it works automatically with any Video for Windows- or ActiveMovie- compatible codec, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Intel's Indeo, VXtreme, and H.261. While networking technology has greatly improved over the last several years, many of the actual products required to deliver enhanced services are still emerging. Yet, even with this delay this streaming technology is gaining wider acceptance. This guideline will be reviewed and updated as the technology matures and the related products are introduced into the general marketplace.

DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES

IPTV Viewing Client only  (Up to 15 concurrent sessions)

 The video streams supported by this option can be a combination of broadcast and unicast sessions up to the maximum of 15 concurrent sessions.  Current IP application traffic will impact the total number of sessions the LAN may support. 

Client and Video on Demand (VoD), one room viewing 

Client and VoD, one room viewing  (Up to 30 concurrent sessions) 

The video streams supported by this option can be a combination of broadcast and unicast sessions up to the maximum of 30 concurrent sessions.  Current VCCS IP application traffic will impact the total number of sessions the LAN may support. 

Full Broadcast and VoD capabilities, single room viewing 

This option can be used for a local college or a shared location preparing to support remote client colleges.  If services are to be provided across the WAN, it is required to review current IP applications supported and determine the appropriately sized Core Router to support WAN traffic.  Review network management documentation to determine appropriate edge router to support the IP applications. 

For sites needing to create live broadcast sessions, the Cisco 3423 Broadcast Server can encode one live feed only.  One server can be used for both SlideCast and live capture when using other video codecs, as long as the video card is Video-for-Windows compatible.  Web Presenter requires only the use of one server. 

The same IP/TV server can be used to record and broadcast simultaneous MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 streams. All other streams would require the use of two separate servers. Configuration of simultaneous broadcast and record is done in the Cisco IP/TV Content Manager. At this time, Cisco IP/TV does not support recording of live MPEG-4 streams. 


IPTV Hardware and Software Requirements:

Cisco IP/TV 3411 Control Server

At the center of the IP/TV architecture is the Cisco IP/TV 3411 Control Server. The Control Server manages clusters of archive and broadcast servers, both locally and remotely, and communicates program information directly to client desktops. Through an easy-to-use, browser-based interface, the Cisco IP/TV 3411 Control Server provides a wide range of video management services, including bandwidth, server, and content management services.

The Control Server configures servers in logical groups known as clusters, distributes content to local clusters, balances the load between clusters and servers, and directs users to the closest and least-busy servers. The Control Server uses an integrated database to track all video content---hundreds or thousands of programs---throughout the VCCS network. It relays transmission instructions to each server and lets network administrators designate available bandwidth. Administrators can use the ServerWatch feature to instantly monitor server performance remotely by tracking programs that each server is broadcasting. The Control Server also offers point-and-click scheduling and security features, which are additional hallmarks of the Control Server.

Cisco IP/TV 3422 and 3423 Broadcast Servers

The Cisco IP/TV Broadcast Servers are ideal for multicasting live events or prerecorded programs on a scheduled basis from video cameras, VCRs, satellite feeds, cable feeds, or existing ASF, AVI, or MPEG digital files. This allows both real-time delivery and broad reach while protecting and enabling the efficient use of network bandwidth resources. Both Broadcast Servers can concurrently multicast a live program, plus numerous scheduled prerecorded programs. By using IP multicast technology, they deliver events as they happen, such as the Chancellor’s address to the VCCS, while using individual streams of network bandwidth. The Broadcast Servers leverage the multicast capability of Cisco routers and can also stream content on a video-on-demand (VOD) basis.

The two different Broadcast Servers satisfy specific needs and offer varying compression techniques, depending upon application requirements and available bandwidth.

·         The Cisco IP/TV 3422 Broadcast Server captures real-time and prerecorded content and streams it over the network using MPEG-4 video. This server is appropriate for low-bandwidth connections to remote sites, to field offices, or over the Internet.

Cisco IP/TV 3431 Archive Server

The Cisco IP/TV 3431 Archive Server is the premium choice for VCCS locations that plan extensive use of prerecorded video on demand. With this server, customers can watch training programs or management broadcasts that have been stored in a video archive whenever it's convenient---and still be assured of quality transmissions.

The Cisco IP/TV 3431 Archive Server offers both high-performance and large-volume (up to 120 hours) storage capacity for VOD applications. It delivers up to 50 Mbps of 1 Mbps, 30 frames per second, aggregate video bandwidth, enabling the support of MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (half resolution and full resolution), MPEG-4, Indeo, and H.261 content, using IP/TV servers or Microsoft Windows Media servers.


Maximum VOD or Scheduled Sessions

The chart below is provided to assist in the calculation of total bandwidth used based on the video compressions to be supported by broadcast locations on IPTV servers.  Additional servers will need to be added to achieve higher session requirements. 

Cisco IP/TV 3400 Server

Live

VOD

VOD Sessions

Scheduled Sessions

IP/TV 3422, 3423

H.261 @ 500 kbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 24

 

10

5

 20

 

9

5

IP/TV 3422, 3423

MPEG-4 @ 128 kbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 28

 

10

5

 18

 

8

4

IP/TV 3422, 3423

MPEG-4 @ 700 kbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 20

 

9

5

 17

 

7

4

IP/TV 3423

MPEG-1 @ 1 Mbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 23

 

9

4

 21

 

9

5

IP/TV 3423

MPEG-2-HD1 @ 3 Mbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 24

 

10

4

 20

 

8

5

IP/TV 3423

MPEG-2-FD1 @ 5 Mbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 21

 

9

4

 18

 

7

4

IP/TV 3415

MPEG-1 @ 1 Mbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 15

 

6

2

 13

 

6

2

IP/TV 3415

MPEG-2-HD1 @ 3 Mbps MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 15

 

6

2

 12

 

5

2

IP/TV 3431

None MPEG-1 at 1 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 3 Mbps

MPEG-2 at 5 Mbps

 50

 

17

12

 33

 

16

10

 

*Performance data varies depending upon application and environment.

CONFIGURATION RECOMMENDATIONS:

o        Switched connection to 4700 (or edge router).  Client is free and must be installed on PC.

·         Video archive hardware solution -

o        Switched connection to 4700 (or edge router).  Client is free and must be installed on PC.

o        Archive capability

o        $17,000 approx.

·         Video archive software version –

o        Switched connection to 4700 (or edge router).  Client is free and must be installed on PC.

o        Archive capability

o        $12,000 approx.

·         Video archive and control server for one room viewing up to 30 concurrent sessions. –

o        Switched connection to 4700 (or edge router).  Client is free and must be installed on PC.

o        Archive capability

o        Control server

o        $27,000 approx.

·         Video full interactive capabilities, single room viewing –

o        Switched connection to 4700 (or edge router).  Client is free and must be installed on PC.

o        Archive capability

o        Control server

o        Broadcast server (MPEG4,MPEG2,MPEG2 Full D1)

o        $44,000 approx.

·         Multiple simultaneous encoding – MPEG1 & MPEG2

o        Required for each additional simultaneous broadcast connection

o        $15,000 approx. 

ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical support:

Level 1: College staff/faculty will support the IPTV configuration, installation, training and troubleshooting. College technical support staff will ensure that the management of content (if implemented) meets the requirements for statewide access.

Level 2: Utility Call Desk will be responsible for basic troubleshooting and is expected to resolve routine problems related to IPTV components, solve most minor problems immediately, and refer more complex problems to the appropriate product specialist as quickly as possible. Repetitive problems should be brought to the attention of the Utility Product Specialist.

Level 3: The Utility Product Specialist will work with college support staff and vendors to research complex and non-routine problems and provide a resolution. Additionally, the Utility Product Specialist will be responsible for the following: distributing configuration information, updates, usage documentation and testing of the new IPTV product versions with the consulting support of Advanced Technology Engineers and the vendors. 

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