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Technology Models
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IPTV
Version: 1.0
Status: DRAFT Proposed - 01/31/01
Contact: Pamela Perdue
Purpose
To define the a core infrastructure
for deploying IPTV video streaming across Network Virginia and to support
distributed video broadcast, on-demand and scheduled video-streaming technology
across Local & Wide Area Networks.
Scope
This model defines the VCCS
infrastructure for IPTV video streaming across Network Virginia and/or College
Campus.
Applicability
This model is applicable to all
colleges and campuses within the VCCS Intranet.
MODEL
Today’s technology provides different methods of implementing video streaming. The technology upon which this model is built was tested as part of the IPTV pilot project. As a result of the VCCS IPTV Pilot Project completed in June 2000, this model has been developed to expand those video-streaming capabilities to all colleges.
By offering this technology to all of the VCCS, it will be
possible to support expanding Distance Learning programs. Additionally, live or pre-recorded internal
training and presentations can be delivered across the infrastructure for VCCS
faculty and staff. This model describes
the concept of the VCCS IPTV Video Streaming infrastructure that will be
assessable to all colleges across Network
One of the key design priorities was to identify solutions that can be implemented in a variety of campus environments. The options for a college range from being a receive “client only” site up to a fully implemented VCCS broadcast location. This flexibility allows a college to participate in at different levels and still have access to IPTV video streaming.
The VCCS model is comprised of all IPTV functionality to support both multicast (one to many) and Unicast (one to one) streams to the college(s). The Broadcast locations should be selected based on where the capture devices and distance-learning course will be presented. For those customers not able to receive the “live” broadcast, the archive servers store this information for later distribution and use by Video on-demand customers from one or more colleges.
The model is designed to be deployed across the VCCS WAN with all VCCS campuses participating using Net.Work.VA as the transport backbone. Multicast must be implemented on all routers and switches supporting IPTV. Separating IPTV streams from the local network traffic is recommended. Lastly, a Gatekeeper/Gateway is recommended for all sites to manage bandwidth to/from college LAN.
PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY
As part of the model, IP/TV handles real-time and disk-based video in either multicast or video-on-demand (VOD) mode. VOD lets any customer access a video any time, and multicasting lets multiple viewers see the same video stream, conserving bandwidth. IP/TV has standards-based support for many video codecs, but not proprietary formats.
The VCCS IP/TV model implements a distributed video server architecture whereby commonly requested content may be replicated and dispatched to local servers. This localizes network bandwidth consumption and provides multiple (redundant) points of access. Because disk capacity is less expensive than network capacity, start up can be with a low up-front investment for a small workgroup and add video servers seamlessly as the application is scaled to more workgroups and larger portions of the organization. The video load is balanced across the distributed servers, with customer requests filled by the local server that is least busy; this keeps network traffic geographically close to the customer and thus maximizes throughput and performance. All this happens automatically and is fully transparent to the customer, who need never know whether the video program being viewed, is coming from the server in the next office or from another college.
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; a range of bit rates from 28 Kbps to 6 Mbps is supported. This flexibility gives VCCS the ability to balance video quality with applications requirements and bandwidth availability.
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 model will be reviewed and updated as the technology matures and the related products are introduced into the general marketplace.
DEPLOYMENT STRATEGIES
Client only
The entry level would allow client PC's to view IPTV broadcasts, scheduled and Video on Demand (VoD) streams. This option depends on the model to deliver the content, from a VCCS Broadcast location, and has the most impact on the Wide Area Network (WAN). Once the content reaches the LAN, the college will need to monitor bandwidth utilization.
Campus LAN-
Video on Demand with VCCS Supported Network Broadcast and
Scheduled Streams
The IP/TV Campus LAN delivers TV-quality video programming over VCCS data networks to desktop PCs by leveraging software running on the VCCS IP/TV “live” broadcast servers across Network.Va. With IP/TV technology, the college can send training classes, communications, management seminars, and more, directly to each desktop. The stored content is received nightly from the VCCS servers and stored on the local (VoD) servers. These captured streams for use later on the LAN.
This hybrid approach allows for flexibility and manageable streams on the LAN available at anytime. Broadcast & Scheduled streams utilize efficient WAN bandwidth via multicast technology. The college investment is for local services with the benefits of VCCS broadcasts.
VCCS WAN/LAN Broadcast, Scheduled and Video on Demand
This strategy would provide both WAN and LAN streaming of live video as well
as video on demand (VoD). This solution provides maximum capabilities
on the LAN and provides the facilities to manage and distribute content across
Network
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.
