1-18
INTRODUCTION ORBAN
MODEL
1010
Overview of Streaming Architecture
There are several ways to stream content over a network. This can be confusing at
first, because some of these ways are only slightly different from others. The termi-
nology associated with them and the names that commonly refer to them can be
equally confusing. The following explanation should you to decide which server
platform or platforms are best for your streaming application.
To stream content, a streaming server is commonly used to control and deliver live
and/or file streams, just as a web server delivers web pages and files. However, there
are exceptions. Furthermore, there are important differences in the ways that dif-
ferent servers function.
Web servers cannot deliver live streams. Although web servers can allow a client
player to play a file, playback begins when the player’s buffer fills, which occurs
sometime after the web server starts sending the file to the user’s computer. This
type of stream is called a progressive download or a fast start stream. There is no
content protection because the determined user can always find a way to download
your content even if this has not happened automatically, which it usually does.
Conversely, the content bitrate determines how quickly a streaming server sends
media content to a player client. Streaming servers do not send files to the user’s
hard drive, thereby protecting the content.
Each server type has its own features and is compatible with its own set of client
players. To serve a greater audience, you might consider using more than one server
platform.
Network Transports
Different servers use different network transports and protocols. Knowing the struc-
ture of the transports and protocols used for the different server technologies will
help you understand the differences in these servers. Figure 1-4 shows the various
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Figure 1-4: Server Transports and Protocols
