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March 2000
These release notes describe the enhancements to the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager in IP/TV Feature Pack 1. This document describes the following:
These release notes include the following topics:
Cisco IP/TV v3.0 Software Feature Pack 1 is an enhancement package for Cisco IP/TV v3.0 Software. IP/TV Feature Pack 1 enhancements allow you to do the following:
The enhancements in IP/TV Feature Pack 1 are designed to take advantage of the distribution capabilities of StarBurst OmniCast. OmniCast provides one-to-many distribution and ways to distribute content over a wide geographical area.
IP/TV Feature Pack 1 installs on computers that have IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager. To distribute OnDemand programs to remote IP/TV v3.0 sites, you must install IP/TV Feature Pack 1 on the computers hosting the creating and receiving IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers. The installation adds options to the OnDemand Preferences page and the OnDemand Program New Programs page.
The options IP/TV Feature Pack 1 installs allow you to do the following:
The installation also establishes a link between the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager and OmniCast that allows the programs to interact.
One advantage to using OmniCast is that it allows for remote distribution. In remote distribution, OnDemand programs can be created on a centralized
IP/TV v3.0 site and distributed to satellite IP/TV v3.0 sites. After receiving the distributed program files, the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager handles every aspect of managing the program without a local operator intervening.
Remote distribution works as follows:
1. You create an OnDemand program for remote distribution on a central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager selecting OmniCast to distribute it to remote IP/TV sites.
2. An OnDemand information file containing preset media-destination information is created.
3. The central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager initiates an OmniCast job request.
4. OmniCast retrieves the OnDemand information and media files and distributes them to the remote sites.
5. At the remote site, the IP/TV server to which the media file is delivered notifies the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager when the OnDemand media file arrives.
6. The remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager accesses the OnDemand information file and uses the information to re-create the original OnDemand program.
7. The remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager lists the program for IP/TV viewers it manages and manages viewer requests to run the program.
8. If an expiration date is set in the original OnDemand program, the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager can automatically delete the program listing and media file after the expiration date occurs.
Automatic expiration allows you to manage disk space. This feature can be used by local and remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers to delete OnDemand program listings and media files. To delete OnDemand programs, you must enable the expiration capability in the OnDemand program and in the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager. OnDemand programs are deleted only when expiration is enabled in both places.
This document describes setting automatic expiration in the "Configuring IP/TV Sites for Remote Distribution" and "Creating an OnDemand Program for Remote Distribution" sections. You do not need to use remote distribution to use this feature.
To implement remote OnDemand program distribution, you must create an environment where OnDemand programs can be created and distributed to remote sites. This environment must include the following:
You must install IP/TV Feature Pack 1 on the central and remote IP/TV v3.0 sites. This section describes the requirements for central IP/TV v3.0 sites and for remote IP/TV v3.0 sites. This section also describes OmniCast requirements as they pertain to remote OnDemand program distribution. It does not describe how to install, configure, and use the OmniCast software. You must refer to your OmniCast documentation for that information.
A central IP/TV v3.0 site is used to create OnDemand programs that can be distributed to remote IP/TV v3.0 sites. This site contains an IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager and at least one IP/TV v3.0 Server. The OmniCast 1.7.5 Administrator, User, and Dispatcher software must be installed on the computer that contains the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager.
This section describes the requirements for a central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager. The appropriate IP/TV and OmniCast software and hardware must be installed and working before you install the IP/TV Feature Pack 1 software. Refer to the relevant IP/TV and OmniCast documentation for installation, configuration, and operating instructions.
General requirements for both the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager and Server computers are as follows:
Additional requirements for the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager computer are as follows:
Additional requirements for the central IP/TV v3.0 Server computer are as follows:
Additional OmniCast requirements for the central IP/TV v3.0 site are as follows:
OmniCast must retrieve OnDemand media and information files from the
IP/TV v3.0 servers where the files are stored. To retrieve the files, the OmniCast services Multicast Dispatcher and Multicast Service must be provided with the IP/TV Server account information that allows them to access the IP/TV v3.0 server files. If you are installing the OmniCast software, the installation allows you to enter the account information fro the IP/TV Server in the Service Account Information dialog box. Refer to your OmniCast documentation for instructions. If the OmniCast software is already installed and you need to provide the services with the account information, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Select StarBurst Multicast Dispatcher.
Step 3 Click Stop. This stops the service.
Step 4 Double-click StarBurst Multicast Dispatcher to invoke the Services dialog box.
Step 5 In the Log On As section of the Services dialog box, enter the account name and password that StarBurst Multicast Dispatcher will require to log in to the
IP/TV v.30 servers to retrieve the OnDemand media and information files.
Step 6 Click OK.
Step 7 Click Start to restart the service.
Step 8 Repeat Steps 2 through 7 for the StarBurst Multicast Service service.
The OmniCast Dispatcher must be configured to serialize OmniCast jobs. Serialization allows jobs to be placed in a queue for processing. OmniCast does not serialize jobs by default. In the default (unserialized) configuration, OmniCast tries to complete new jobs immediately. If the receiver is busy with another job, then the pending jobs will time out and fail due to the receiver not responding. To configure OmniCast to serialize jobs, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Log in.
Step 3 Click Disp. The Configure Dispatcher window appears.
Step 4 Locate the Reserved for Transmitters field and set a value. The minimum value you can set is 1.
Step 5 Click Apply to save the changes.
Step 6 Click Close to close the Configure Dispatcher window.
Step 7 Exit OmniCast Administrator.
Step 8 Restart the Dispatcher for the changes to go into effect.
Before you can use the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to create OnDemand programs for remote distribution, the enhanced IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager must be able to obtain information from the OmniCast utility. The IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager may not be able to obtain the information it needs if the OmniCast software is newly installed or has not been run. To make the information available for the enhanced IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager, log in to the OmniCast User Console application at least once. Logging in to the OmniCast User Console populates the OmniCast .ini file that the enhanced IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager uses to obtain information it needs.
Requirements for setting up a remote IP/TV site are as follows:
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Note StarBurst Systems remote sites can accept or reject files that are transferred to them. If a remote site does not have sufficient space on the hard drive to accept the OnDemand media and program files, it can reject the transfer. Use the OmniCast Administrator Console to monitor the file transfer status. |
To install IP/TV Feature Pack 1, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Execute the IP/TV Feature Pack 1 file.
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Note You must reboot the computer to activate the Feature Pack 1 features. |
After you have installed IP/TV Feature Pack 1 on the central and remote IP/TV sites you want to use, you must configure each IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager for the appropriate distribution roll. Central IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers must be configured to create and distribute OnDemand programs. Remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers must be configured to re-create the OnDemand programs they receive. Both IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers can be configured to delete OnDemand files. This section describes how to configure central and remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers.
To configure a central IP/TV site to create OnDemand programs for remote distribution, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Click Preferences. The Preferences page appears.
Step 3 Scroll down to the heading OnDemand Program Management.
Step 4 If you want the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to delete OnDemand programs, locate "Allow expiration (deletion) of programs." Click the check box to set this parameter. This parameter must be enabled for the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to delete OnDemand listings and media files. Media files are deleted from the servers the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager manages. This parameter is enabled by default.
Step 5 If you want to set a default value for the period in days that the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will allow a new OnDemand program that is configured for deletion to be available to viewers, locate "Expire (delete) program after...days." Click the check box to set this parameter. This parameter is superseded by the period value set when the OnDemand program is created or modified. If no period value is set in the OnDemand program profile, the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will use this value to delete the OnDemand listing and media file. To set this value, perform the following steps:
a. In the field preceding the word "days," enter the number of days you want the OnDemand program to be available before the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager deletes it.
b. Click the field in front of the word "Expire." This feature is enabled by default.
Step 6 Locate "Use...as default auto distribute method." This parameter allows you to set the default distribution method you want to use to send OnDemand program files. To set this parameter, click the field and select a method as follows.
a. If you want to use OmniCast to distribute the OnDemand files, select OmniCast FTP. OmniCast FTP is the default setting.
b. If you want to distribute the media file to the servers in the Clusters table you have selected, select UniCast FTP. This method uses the Cisco FTP server.
Step 7 Click the check box to set the parameter "Send program listing to remote hosts when file is distributed." This parameter allows OmniCast to transfer the OnDemand information file that is generated when a new OnDemad program is created to the remote server. Remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Managers must have the information file to automatically create an OnDemand program. This parameter is enabled by default.
Step 8 Click Revise Preferences.
To configure remote IP/TV sites to re-create OnDemand programs they receive, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Click Preferences. The Preferences page appears.
Step 3 Scroll down to the heading OnDemand Program Management.
Step 4 Locate "Allow expiration (deletion) of programs." Click the check box to set this parameter. This parameter allows the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to delete the OnDemand program listing and to delete the OnDemand media file from those servers the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager manages. The parameter must be enabled for the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to delete OnDemand listings and files. This parameter is enabled by default.
Step 5 If you want to set a default value for the period in days that the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will allow a new OnDemand program that is configured for deletion to be available to viewers, locate "Expire (delete) program after...days." This parameter is superseded by the period value set when the OnDemand program is created or modified. If no period value is set in the OnDemand program profile, the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will use this value to delete the OnDemand listing and media file.
To set and enable this parameter, perform the following steps:
a. In the field preceding the word "days," enter the number of days you want the OnDemand program to be available before the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager deletes it.
b. Click the field in front of the word "Expire." The feature is enabled when the field is checked.
Step 6 Locate "Allow program creation when receiving program listing." Click the check box to set this parameter. This parameter enables the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to automatically generate OnDemand program listings from OnDemand files received from an OmniCast transfer. The transfer must include the media file and the OnDemand listing created by the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager. This parameter is enabled by default.
Step 7 Click Revise Preferences.
This section describes how to create OnDemand programs for remote distribution.
Media files that you want to use to create OnDemand programs must be placed in E:iptvmedia on the remote IP/TV v3.0 Server. This is the default media-storage directory on IP/TV 3415 systems. IP/TV Feature Pack 1 creates the iptvauto folder that is used to receive OnDemand information files.
When a new OnDemand media file appears in the media-storage directory of the remote IP/TV server, the IP/TV v3.0 Server notifies the remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager that the file is available. The remote IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager searches the iptvauto folder for the OnDemand information file and uses the information and media files to re-create the OnDemand program.
To create an OnDemand program for OmniCast distribution, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Click the OnDemand Programs icon. The OnDemand Program page appears.
Step 3 Click New Programs on the task bar. The New OnDemand Program page appears.
Step 4 In the Program Name field, enter a name for the OnDemand program you are creating. The name can use up to 60 characters including spaces. This information will be passed along to the remote sites and used by remote viewers to select the program.
To set the parameters for the OnDemand program, perform the following steps: These parameters will be used by the remote site to re-create the OnDemand program.
Step 2 If you want to provide keywords that can be used in the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager or IP/TV Viewer to locate this OnDemand program, enter the words you want to use in the Keyword field. Use a space to separate the words. You can use up to 256 characters for keywords.
Step 3 If a Web site is available that provides the viewer with additional information, you can enter the URL of the Web site in the URL field. The URL will appear when the viewer runs the OnDemand program. The viewer can click on the URL and go to the Web site while the program is running.
Step 4 In the Copyright field, enter copyright information for the OnDemand file if required.
Step 5 If you want to require users to use a password to access the OnDemand program, enter the password you want to use in the Password field and enter the same password in the Confirm Password field.
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Note The password protects audio, video, and SlideCast stream in the programs only. Web presentation streams are not password protected. |
Step 6 If you want the OnDemand program to delete automatically, configure the Expire option. This parameter allows the central IP/TV 3.0 Content Manager, if configured to do so, to delete the program listing and media file. The media file is deleted from all servers on which it is replicated that the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager manages. To configure the Expire option, perform the following steps:
a. Click the check box to set the Expire option. Expire is enabled when a check appears in the field preceding the option.
b. In the program field, enter the number of days that you want the program to be available before it is deleted. If no value is entered, the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will use the value set in the Preference page.
c. In the calendar block, enter a starting date from which the countdown to expiration begins.
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Note In order for automatic deletion to occur, the Preference page of the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager on which the OnDemand program is created must be configured to allow program expiration. See section "Configuring IP/TV Sites for Remote Distribution" in this document for instructions. |
To set the multimedia parameters the OnDemand program will use for remote distribution, perform the following steps:
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Note IP/TV Feature Pack 1 does not support media files that contain embedded URLs for remote distribution. The URL material may not appear when the OnDemand program is run at the remote site. |
Step 2 Select the media file that you want to use to create the OnDemand program.
The IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager reads the media file and populates the Multimedia Information section with data about the file. The information the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager provides includes the available media presentation types (audio, video, SlideCast, and web), the file run time, and bandwidth information.
Step 3 The IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager automatically enables the presentation types that are available. If you do not want users to view a presentation type, deselect the type.
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Note If the media file contains a web presentation, you can use the IP/TV caching or noncaching option. To use the caching option, both the server on which you store the media file and the client computer must have Microsoft Internet Explorer installed. If noncaching is used, only the client must have a Web browser installed. To use caching, select Transfer HTML to Browser Cache. |
Step 4 Enable the Auto Distribute File (s) to Selected Server option. This option is enabled by default.
Step 5 In the Type of transfer field, select OmniCast FTP.
Step 6 In the OmniCast group to distribute to field, select the OmniCast Group to which you want to distribute OnDemand program. Click the field to display the list of OmniCast groups you can use.
Step 7 Enable the Send program listing to remote hosts when file is distributed option.
Step 8 Select a commencement option you want to use to start the download as follows:
a. For an immediate start, click the Transfer file (s) now radio button.
b. For a delayed start, click the Transfer file (s) on radio button and specify the date and time you want the transfer to start. You cannot delay distribution for more than one month.
Step 9 Click Add OnDemand Program to create the program.
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Note After the OnDemand program is configured and the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager passes the OmniCast job information for processing, you must use OmniCast to stop the transfer. |
This section describes how to create OnDemand programs to be distributed using Unicast FTP. Unicast FTP uses the Cisco FTP server that comes with IP/TV v3.0 to distribute OnDemand media files to servers managed by the current IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager. The section assumes that the Cisco FTP server is installed and the service is launched.
To start a new OnDemand program for Unicast distribution, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Click the OnDemand Programs link. The OnDemand Program page appears.
Step 3 Click New Programs on the task bar. The New OnDemand Program page appears.
Step 4 In the Program Name field, enter a name for the OnDemand program you are creating. The name can use up to 60 characters, including spaces. This is the name that IP/TV viewers will use to select the program.
To set the parameters for the OnDemand program, perform the following steps:
Step 2 If you want to provide keywords that can be used in the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager or the IP/TV Viewer to locate this OnDemand program, enter the words you want to use in the Keyword field. Use a space to separate the words. You can use up to 256 characters for keywords.
Step 3 If a Web site is available that provides the view with additional information, you can enter the URL of the Web site in the URL field. The URL will appear when the viewer runs the OnDemand program. The viewer can click on the URL and go to the Web site while the program is running.
Step 4 In the Copyright field, enter copyright information for the OnDemand file if required.
Step 5 If you want to require users to use a password to access the OnDemand program, enter the password you want to use in the Password field and enter the same password in the Confirm Password field.
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Note The password protects audio, video, and SlideCast stream in the programs only. Web presentation streams are not password protected. |
Step 6 If you want the OnDemand program to delete automatically, configure the Expire option. This parameter allows the central IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to delete the OnDemand program listing and to delete the OnDemand media file from the servers managed by the central IP/TV v.30 Content Manager. To configure the Expire option, perform the following steps:
a. Click the Expire check box to enable the option. Expire is disabled by default.
b. In the program field, enter the number of days that you want the program to be available before it is deleted. If no value is entered, the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager will use the value set in the Preference page.
c. In the calendar block, enter the starting date from which the countdown to expiration begins.
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Note In order for automatic deletion to occur, the Preference page of the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager on which the OnDemand program is created must be configured to allow program expiration. See section "Configuring IP/TV Sites for Remote Distribution" in this document for instructions. |
To set multimedia parameters the OnDemand program will use for Unicast distribution, perform the following steps:
Step 2 Select the media file that you want to use to create the OnDemand program.
The IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager reads the media file and populates the Multimedia Information section with data about the file. The information the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager provides includes the available media presentation types (audio, video, SlideCast, and web), the file run time, and bandwidth information.
Step 3 The IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager automatically enables the presentation types that are available. If you do not want users to view a presentation type, deselect the type.
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Note If the media file contains a Web presentation, you can use the IP/TV caching or noncaching option. To use the caching option, both the server on which you store the media file and the client computer must have Microsoft Internet Explorer installed. If noncaching is used, only the client must have a Web browser installed. To use caching, select Transfer HTML to Browser Cache. |
Step 4 If an .asf media file contains URLs that are accessed during the presentation, enter the base URL in the Web Presentation Base URL field.
Step 5 In the Clusters table, select the servers to which you want to distribute the media file and which the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager can use to access the file:
a. Click the Use IP/TV radio button if you want the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to make the file available to clients using the IP/TV format.
b. Click the Use WMT radio button if you want the IP/TV v3.0 Content Manager to make the file available to clients using the Windows Media Play format.
c. Under the format you choose, select the servers to which you want the media file distributed.
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Note You can select only one server for WMT viewing. |
Step 6 Enable the Auto Distribute File (s) to Selected Server option. This option is enabled by default.
Step 7 In the Type of transfer field, select Unicast FTP.
Step 8 Select a commencement option you want to use to start the download as follows:
a. For an immediate start, click the Transfer file (s) now radio button.
b. For a delayed start, click the Transfer file (s) on radio button and specify the date and time you want the transfer to start.
Step 9 Click Add OnDemand Program.
You cannot schedule OnDemand programs to be sent more than one month in advance.
Related IP/TV and StarBurst Systems documents are as follows:
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Posted: Mon Mar 20 12:03:38 PST 2000
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