Helix Universal Server Administration Guide
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Introduction
    What is Helix?
    Audience for this Guide
    How this Guide Is Organized
    Conventions Used in this Manual
       Terminology
       Typographical Conventions
       Sample Links
       Default Locations and Values
    Additional Resources

1 New Features
    New Features in Helix Universal Server 9.0
       Aliasing
       Content Caching
       Custom Logging
       SLTA
       RTSP Cache Directives
       Redundant Servers
       Windows Media Streaming
       MPEG Streaming
       SureStream Splitting
       RealOne Player Statistics
    Features Introduced in Version 8
       Distributed Licensing
       Port Hinting
       Redundant Encoders
       Splitting
       Support for QuickTime and Additional Data Types
    Upgrade Issues
       Compatibility with Version 8
       Upgrades from RealServer 7 or Earlier
       Default Installation Directory
       Legacy Bandwidth Negotiation

2 Overview
    Media Formats
       RealMedia
          SureStream RealAudio and RealVideo
          SMIL
          RealPix
          RealText
       Macromedia Flash
       Windows Media
       QuickTime
       MPEG Audio and Video
       RTP-Delivered Formats
    Encoding Tools
       Streaming Media Encoders
       Production Tools
    Streaming Protocols
       Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)
       Progressive Networks Audio (PNA)
       Microsoft Media Services (MMS)
       HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
    On-Demand Streaming
       Basic Streaming Features
       Features for Multiple Servers
       Authentication and Access Control
       Monitoring and Reporting
       Feature Availability
    Live Broadcasting
       Unicasting
       Multicasting
       Splitting
       Archiving
       Redundant Encoders
       Simulated Live Broadcasting
    Feature Comparison
    Helix Universal Server Components
       Plug-ins
       Helix Administrator
       Configuration File
       License File
    Working with Other Professionals
       Encoding Professionals
       Helix Universal Server Administrators
       Firewall Administrators

3 Installation and Quick Start
    Understanding Installation Issues
       Firewalls and Helix Universal Server
       Web Servers and Helix Universal Server
          HTTP Port Resolution
          Web Server MIME Types
    Installing Helix Universal Server
       Upgrading in a Different Directory
       Reinstalling Helix Universal Server in the Same Directory
    Running Helix Universal Server
       Starting Helix Universal Server
          Starting on Windows
          Starting on UNIX
          Using Command Line Options
       Stopping Helix Universal Server
          Shutting Down on Windows
          Shutting Down on UNIX
       Configuring Helix Universal Server as a Windows Service
          Removing Helix Universal Server from the Services List
    Using Helix Administrator
       Starting Helix Administrator
       Using the Interface
       Restarting Helix Universal Server
          Queuing Changes for a Later Restart
       Helix Administrator Sections
          Server Setup
          Security
          Logging and Monitoring
          Broadcasting
          Broadcast Distribution
          Content Management
          Advertising
       License File Information
       Testing Your Installation
    Quick Start Tutorials for Streaming Media
       Quick Start Requirements
       Creating and Streaming a Clip on Demand
          Step 1: Encode a Music Clip
          Step 2: Transfer the Music Clip to the Content Directory
          Step 3: Write a Web Page Link (Optional)
          Step 4: Play the Clip
       Broadcasting a Stream
          Step 1: Encode a Music Stream
          Step 2: Write a Web Page Link (Optional)
          Step 3: Play the Broadcast

4 Server Setup
    Defining Communications Ports
       Changing Port Assignments
       Handling Communication through Nonstandard Ports
          Port Hinting for RealOne Player and RealPlayer 8 through Ramgen
          Port Hinting for RealOne Player and RealPlayer 8 through a Ram File
          Port Numbers in URLs
    Binding to an IP Address
       Using Localhost
       Capturing All Addresses
       Binding to Specific Addresses
       Modifying IP Addresses
    Setting UNIX User and Group Names
    Controlling Connections
    Configuring HTTP Communications
       Allowing HTTP Delivery
       Adding MIME Types for HTTP Communication
    Distributing Server Licenses
       Setting Up Publishers
       Setting Up Subscribers
       Starting and Monitoring a License Group

5 Clip Delivery
    Writing Links to Content
       Mount Points
          Content Directory Mount Point
          Multiple Mount Points
    Launching Media Players and Opening URLs
       Using Metafiles
          RealNetworks Ram File
          QuickTime Reference Movie
          Windows Media ASX File
       Using a Client Launch Utility
          Ramgen for RealOne Player
          ASXGen for Windows Media Player
       Tips for Launching Media Players
          Do Not Use Both Metafiles and Launch Utilities
          Use the Correct Protocol
          Use Streaming Media URLs in SMIL Files
          Communicate with Content Creators
    Streaming Clips On Demand
       Creating Content Subdirectories
          Tips for Using Content Subdirectories
       Adding a Mount Point for On-Demand Clips
       Using On-Demand Streaming with Other Features
    Setting Up Aliases
       Preventing Alias Blind Spots
       Tips for Defining Aliases
       Creating an Alias
       Using Aliases with Other Features
    Browsing On-Demand Content
    Displaying Source Information
       Default Security Precautions
       Selectively Displaying Source Information
       Changing View Source Settings
       View Source Used with Other Features

6 Multiple Servers
    Implementing Redundant Servers
       Redundant Server Requirements
          Cloned Content
          Alternate Server Lists
          Failover Rules
       Setting Up Redundant Servers
    Content Caching
       Understanding Content Caching
          Publishers and Subscribers
          Load Balancing
          Content Loading and Removal
          Security
          Bandwidth Conservation
          Links to Cached Content
       Setting up Content Caching Publishers
          Setting up Authentication on the Publisher
       Setting up Content Caching Subscribers
          Designating Content for Content Caching
          Identifying the Publisher
          Defining Subscriber Rules
       Defining the Size of the Cache
       Defining the Cache Location
       Manually Populating a Cache
       Content Caching Used With Other Features
    Using a Media Proxy
       Understanding Media Proxies
       How Servers and Proxies Work Together
       How Helix Universal Proxy Streams Content
          Helix Universal Proxy Replicating Live Content
          Helix Universal Proxy Delivering On-Demand Content
       Cache Directives Restricting Helix Universal Proxy
          Cache Directives and On-Demand Content
          Cache Directives and Live Broadcasts
       Restricting Proxies from Caching or Splitting Content
          Preventing Streams from Being Cached or Split
          Preventing Helix Universal Proxy from Accessing Helix Universal Server
          Preventing All Caching
       Cache Control Used with Other Features

7 Unicasts
    Understanding Unicasts
       Licensing Limitations
       Bandwidth Constraints
       Broadcast Trial Runs
       Live Unicasting Used with Other Features
    Archiving Broadcasts
       Selectively Archiving Broadcasts
       Setting Up Archiving
       Maintaining Archives for Repeated Broadcasts
       Streaming Archived Files
    Using Broadcast Redundancy
       Modifying Encoder Redundancy Settings
       Using Broadcast Redundancy with Other Features
    Broadcasting RealMedia
       Broadcasting with SureStream
       Using SMIL in Broadcasts
       Setting Up Account-Based Broadcasting
          Starting the Account-Based Broadcast
       Encoding with an Older Version of RealProducer
          Starting the Legacy Broadcast
    Broadcasting Windows Media
    Broadcasting QuickTime, MPEG, and RTP-Based Media
       Using SDP Files with Helix Universal Server
       Changing RTP Broadcast Procedures
       Starting the RTP-Based Broadcast
    Linking to Unicasts
       Linking from a Web Page
          RealMedia Link Examples
          Windows Media Link Examples
       Linking through a Metafile
          RealMedia Link Examples
          Windows Media Link Examples
          QuickTime and RTP-Based Player Examples
       Playing a Standby Message

8 Multicasts
    Understanding Multicasts
       Back-Channel Multicasting
          Unicast Failovers
       Scalable Multicasting
          Session Description Files
          Authentication and Statistics
          Unicast Failovers
       Windows Media Multicasts
       Network Configuration for Multicasts
          Multicast Addresses
          Packet Time to Live
          Multicasts with Multiple Network Interface Cards
       Multicasting Used with Other Features
       Multicast Resources
          General Multicasting Information
          Scalable Multicasting Information
    Defining Back-Channel Multicasting
       Calculating Address Requirements
          SureStream Broadcasts
          Automatic Multicasts
       Configuring Back-Channel Multicasting
       Starting a Back-Channel Multicast
    Setting Up Scalable Multicasting
       Determining the Number of Addresses and Ports
          Single-Rate Audio and Video
          SureStream RealAudio and RealVideo
          Port Ranges
       Gathering Client Statistics
          Limiting Statistics
          Offloading Statistics to a Web Server
       Setting Up a Live Channel
       Delivering the Scalable Multicast
          Multicast SDP Files
          Linking to a Scalable Multicast
    Multicasting Windows Media
       Defining a Multicast Channel
       Setting Up a Live Source
       Running the Windows Media Multicast
          Linking to the Multicast
          Stopping a Windows Media Multicast
    Publicizing Your Multicasts

9 Transmitters and Receivers
    Understanding Splitting
       Definitions
       Encoder-to-Server Splitting
       Server-to-Server Splitting
       Push Splitting
          Pull Encoding with Push Splitting
          Push Splitting Configuration
       Pull Splitting
          Pull Splitting Bandwidth Efficiency
          Push Encoding with Pull Splitting
          Pull Splitting Configuration
       SureStream-Aware Splitting
    Complex Splitting Arrangements
       One-to-Many Splitting
       One-to-One Chaining
       Unicast Delivery, Multicast Distribution
       Dual Unicast and Multicast Transport Methods
       Redundant Stream Splitting
          Transmitter Redundancy
          Transport Redundancy
       Multiple Splitting Definitions
    Splitting Considerations
       Stream Acquisition Latency
       Bandwidth Consumption
       Other Features Used with Splitting
    Setting Up a Transmitter
       Defining a Push Transmitter
       Configuring a Pull Splitting Transmitter
    Setting Up a Receiver
       Defining Basic Receiver Information
       Enabling Pull Splitting Requests
    Linking to Split Content
       Writing Push Splitting Links
          Linking from a Web Page
          Linking through a Relay
          Linking to a Transmitter or Relay
          Linking from a Ram or SMIL File
       Creating Pull Splitting Links
          Linking from a Web Page
          Linking through a Relay
          Linking from a Ram or SMIL File
       Using URL Aliases

10 Simulated Live Broadcasts
    Understanding Simulated Live Broadcasts
       Broadcast Formats
       Basic and Advanced Modes
       Helix Universal Server Setup
          Basic Mode Configuration
          Advanced Mode Configuration
       Command Line Operation
    SLTA Quick Start Tutorials
       Quick Start for SLTA Basic Mode
       Quick Start for SLTA Advanced Mode
    Configuring SLTA for Advanced Mode
       Using the Configuration Template
       Setting Basic Transmitter Properties
          Naming the Transmitter
       Defining Push Splitting
          Specifying Multiple Receivers
          Setting Push Configuration Values
       Defining Pull Splitting
          Setting Pull Configuration Values
    Creating a Playlist
       Writing a Basic Playlist
       Adding Title, Author, and Copyright Information
          Setting Information for All Clips
          Using Individual Clip Parameters
          Mixing Information Styles
    Running SLTA
       Moving SLTA to a Different Machine
       Setting Environment Variables
          Setting Variables on Windows
       Starting SLTA
          Starting SLTA in Basic Mode
          Starting SLTA in Advanced Mode
          Running Redundant SLTA Encoders
       Using SLTA Options
          Modifying the Playback Order
          Disabling Title, Author, and Copyright Overrides
          Using TCP Transport
          Synchronizing to a Wallclock
       Monitoring and Stopping SLTA
    Linking to the Simulated Live Broadcast
       Writing Basic Mode Links
          Linking from a Web Page
          Linking from a Ram or SMIL File
       Creating Push Splitting Links
          Linking from a Web Page
          Linking from a Ram or SMIL File
       Writing Pull Splitting Links
          Linking from a Web Page
          Linking from a Ram or SMIL File

11 Firewalls
    Understanding Firewalls
       Protocol Layers
       Transport-Layer Protocols
          Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
          User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
       Application-Layer Protocols
          Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)
          Progressive Networks Audio (PNA)
          Microsoft Media Services (MMS)
          HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
       Packet Formats
          RealNetworks Data Transport (RDT)
          Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP)
       Firewalls and Helix Universal Server Features
    Placing Helix Universal Server in a Network
       Working with Firewall Technologies
          Limiting Incoming UDP Traffic
          Working With A Virtual IP Address
    Working With An Encoder, Receiver, or Proxy
       Communicating With Encoders
       HTTP Broadcasts from Windows Media Encoder
       Communicating With Receivers
       Communicating With Helix Universal Proxys
    Streaming to Client Software Behind Firewalls
       Channel Negotiation
       HTTP Cloaking
          Port 80 For HTTP Traffic
          Port Hinting
    Default Ports
       Helix Universal Server Default Ports
       Receiver Default Ports
       Helix Universal Proxy Default Ports
       Encoder Default Ports
       Media Player Default Ports

12 Access Control
    Understanding Access Control
       Rule Components
       Predefined Access Rules
       Access to Helix Administrator
       Access Rule Methods
       Rule Order
    Granting Access to Helix Administrator
    Creating General Access Rules

13 Authentication
    Understanding Authentication
       Types of Authentication
          Media Viewer Validation
          Administrator Authentication
          Encoder Validation
          Content Caching Subscriber Authentication
       Authentication Components
          Databases
          Realms
          Commerce Rules
          Permissions
       Authentication Used with Other Features
    Setting Up Basic Media Authentication
       Securing On-Demand Content
          Adding Subdirectories to Implement Permissions
          Placing Secure Clips in Other Directories
       Securing Broadcasts
          Specifying the Secure Path on the Encoder
    Managing Users and Passwords
       Adding a User
       Deleting a User
       Browsing All User Names
       Changing a Password
       Using the Password Tool
    Using Databases
       Supported Database Types
          Flat File Database
          ODBC and mSQL
          RN5 DB Wrapper
       Adding a Database
    Setting Up Realms
       Authentication Protocols
          Basic
          RealSystem 5.0
          Windows NT LAN Manager
       Creating or Modifying a Realm
    Defining Commerce Rules
       Default Commerce Rules
          SecureG2LiveContent
          SecureLiveContent
          SecurePlayerContent
          SecurePreG2LiveContent
          SecureUserContent
       Adding or Modifying Commerce Rules
    Handling User Permissions
       Permission Types
          Directory-Level Access
          File-Level Access
          Permission Access Types
          Permissions for SMIL Presentations
       Granting Permissions
       Editing User Permissions
       Revoking User Permissions
    Validating Media Player IDs
       Player IDs and User Privacy
          Using Player ID Validation on an Intranet
       Choosing a Database and Realm for User Names
       Adding User Names to the Player ID Database
       Setting Up Commerce Rules
       Modifying the GUID Database
       Creating Registration URLs
       Writing Content URLs

14 ISP Hosting
    Understanding ISP Hosting
       Links to Users' Hosted Content
       Account Information
          Connections Available for Each Account
       Tracking Account Usage
       Dedicating Helix Universal Server to ISP Hosting
       Compatibility with Earlier Versions of RealSystem Server
       Example ISP Hosting Scenario—Northwest ISP
    Users' Directory Structures
          Directory Structures in Dedicated Hosting
    Setting Up ISP Hosting
       Creating the User List
          Example—User List File
          Listing Individual Accounts
          Listing Generic Accounts
          Combining Individual Account Listings with a Generic Listing
          Using Multiple User List Files
          Re-Reading an Updated User List File
          Dedicated Hosting User File Format
          Creating User Lists From Earlier Versions
       Configuring Helix Universal Server
       Linking to ISP Content
          Dedicated Hosting Server
       ISP Hosting Used with Other Features

15 Targeted Ads
    Understanding Ad Streaming
       Banner Ads
       Streaming Media Ads
       SMIL Generation
    Quick Start for Testing Ad Banner Insertion
       Testing Your Own Banner Ads
    General Steps for Setting Up Ad Streaming
    Getting Ad URLs from an Ad Server
       Understanding Ad Types
       Guidelines for Ads in Streaming Presentations
       Integrating Helix Universal Server Directly with an Ad Server
       Setting up a Target HTML Page on a Web Server
          Guidelines for Creating a Target HTML Page
       Requesting SMIL Files from an Ad Server
    Configuring Helix Universal Server to Stream Ads
       Understanding Ad Streaming Mount Points
          Choosing the Ad Streaming Base Mount Point
          Using Authentication with Ad Streaming
       Creating Ad Streaming Mount Points
          Why are There Different Ad Server Types?
       Setting Up Rotating Banner Ads
          Rotate
          Interval
          Bitrate
          Startup Image
    Changing Timeout Values
    Overriding Mount Point Settings through SMIL
       Overriding the Target URL Location
       Overriding Banner Rotation Settings
    Generating SMIL Files for Ads
       Limitations on Automatic SMIL Generation
       Understanding SMIL Generation Mount Points
       Creating SMIL Generation Mount Points
       Setting SMIL Options
          Ad Width and Ad Height
          Inner Padding and Outer Padding
          Background Color
          Enable Playlist

16 Access and Error Logs
    Understanding Log Files
       Access Log
          Logged Information
          Media Player Statistics
       Error Log
       Log File Rolling
       Access Log Used with Other Features
    Access Log File Format
       Logging Style
          Logging Style 0
          Logging Style 1
          Logging Style 2
          Logging Style 3
          Logging Style 4
          Logging Style 5
       Access Log Fields
          IP Address
          Timestamp
          File Name and Protocol
          HTTP Status Code
          Bytes Sent
          Client Information
          Client Identifier
          Statistics Results
          File Information
          Resend Information
          Stream Components
          Start Time
          Server Address
          Average Bit Rate
          Packets Sent
          Presentation ID
       Proxied Clip Information
       GET Statements
          On-Demand Content
          Live Broadcasts
    Client Statistics
       Statistics Type 1
       Statistics Type 2
       Statistics Type 3
          Timestamp
          Elapsed Time
          Action
       Statistics Type 4
          Stream Number
          Stream Information
          Transport
          TurboPlay
          Duration
          Clip End
    Customizing the Access and Error Logs
       Modifying the Access Log
       Modifying the Error Log

17 Custom Logging
    Understanding Custom Logging
       The Helix Universal Server Registry
          Registry Variables
          Global Variables
       Template Types
       Report Formats
    Using Session Templates
       Choosing a Watch Type
       Selecting the Output Format Type
    Defining Output Methods
       Console
       File
          Using Log File Rolling
       HTTP Post
       TCP Broadcast
       UDP Broadcast
       UNIX Pipe and System Log
       Windows NT Event Log
    Creating Logging Templates
    Sample Templates
       Using the Preconfigured Templates
          Errors Template
          Extended Logging Template
          Server Stats Template
       Creating a Client Statistics Log
          Connection Statistics Boilerplate and Variables
          Disconnect Statistics Boilerplate and Variables
          Report Output

18 Activity Monitors
    Using the Server Monitor
       Selecting Server Monitor Modes
          Running Server Monitor as an Applet
          Running Server Monitor as an Application
       Server Monitor Used with Other Features
    Displaying Server Monitor Information
       Choosing Display Options
       Monitoring Activity
          Key Tab
          Performance Tab
          Connections Tab
          Files Tab
    Windows Performance Monitor

A Configuration File
    Understanding the Configuration File
    Editing the Configuration File
       XML Declaration Tag
       Comment Tags
       List Tags
       Variable Tags
       Helix Universal Server Restart

B Address Space Bit Masks
    Understanding Basic IP Address Construction
    Using a Bit Mask to Identify an Address Space
       Slash Notation
       Address Space Size
    Bit Boundaries
       Determining Bit Boundaries
    Working with 0-Bit and 32-Bit Masks

C Authentication Data Storage
    Understanding Authentication Data
    Using Text Files
       Users Directory
       Guids Directory
       Logs Directory
          reglog.txt
          accesslog.txt
       Redirect Directory
    Using a Database
       Users Table
       Permissions Table
       Register_Log Table
       Redirect Table
       Access_log Table
    Setting Up Other Types of Data Storage