Helix Universal Server Administration Guide
---- Go To ----
Index
Contents
Copyright
Help Page
---------------
About This Document
Plain HTML Version
1
|
2
|
3
|
All
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 ScenarioNorthwest ISP
Users' Directory Structures
Directory Structures in Dedicated Hosting
Setting Up ISP Hosting
Creating the User List
ExampleUser 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