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A single source Zixi can be configured to PUSH two redundant stream PULL a stream from a single source with multiple NICs to a single target using two NICs. Provided that the streams from both NICs include the same Stream ID, contention for the input is decided on a first-come first-served basis. If the primary NIC  connection is lost, the target Input will automatically accept a new stream (coming from the secondary NIC).  As a result, this topology provides source-side NIC redundancy with automated fail-over to a second identical stream. 

Source Configuration

The following procedure describes how to configure a Zixi Feeder to push a stream through two NICs to a target hosts in a warm redundancy configuration. The procedure does not cover instructions on how to configure the Input into the Zixi Feeder.  

To configure the primary source node (e.g. Zixi Feeder):

1. On the Outputs page of Zixi Feeder, click the New Output button, located in the upper- right end corner of the screen.
2. In the Name field, type a new name for the output. 
3. In the Type field, select Push to Broadcaster.
4. In the Input Name field, select the relevant input stream.
5. In the Program field, if you have created a filter for the stream, select the relevant program.
6. In the Stream ID field, enter a stream ID (alphanumeric). The same Stream ID will be also configured in the target node (Push Input).
7. Optional - in the Password field, specify a string to be used at the destination to authenticate that the pushing Broadcaster is allowed to push this stream.

8. In the Max Bitrate field, specify the maximum bitrate of the stream. Default: 8000. This is used for internal memory allocation and will not affect the transmitted bitrate. Recommended: double the bitrate of the stream.

9. In the Max Latency field, specify the buffer size that Zixi Broadcaster will keep for error correction. For example, 6000 milliseconds would ensure that the stream is protected for six seconds of errors in the network. Default: 6000.
10. Under Links, in the Host field, enter the host name or IP of the primary target.
11. In the Port field, specify the destination port to listen on for the Push stream (default: 2088).
12. In the IP field, select from the drop-down menu, the IP address of the Primary NIC (Network Interface Card) in the Source through which the stream will be pushed.
13. Click the '+' button to create a secondary link.
14. In the Host field, enter the host name or IP of the primary target.
15. In the Port field, specify the destination port to listen on for the Push stream (default: 2088).
16. In the IP field, select from the drop-down menu, the IP address of the Secondary NIC (Network Interface Card) in the Source through which the stream will be pushed.
17. Click OK.
    The output is added to the Outputs list and includes a primary and a secondary link. 

Target Configuration

The following procedures describe how to configure the target Zixi Broadcaster in a warm redundancy configuration. The target is configured with a single input. If this input is unavailable the secondary input will be received. The input must use the same Stream ID that was used to configure the primary and secondary source nodes (Zixi Feeders). 

To configure the . Each NIC has a different IP address. The topology includes a target node pulling identical input streams simultaneously from two live NIC sources in a hot redundancy configuration.

Two differently named inputs are created at the target pulling identical streams from two different sources nodes. The output in the target node should be configured to include two sources. A primary source and, in addition, either a second "Primary Source" or "Fallback Source". The consideration between the two options are:

• Second Primary Source - one primary output is connected to the input that is pulling the stream from the Primary Broadcaster source. An additional source is defined as a primary output, which is connected to the input that is pulling the stream from the Secondary Broadcaster source. If the first output becomes unavailable Zixi Receiver will use the second primary output. However, when the first output becomes available again Zixi Receiver will not switch back to the first output until the second output becomes unavailable. This means that if you want to switch back to the first primary source you will have to do it manually. 
• Fallback Source - one primary output is connected to the input that is pulling the stream from the Primary Broadcaster source. An additional source is defined as a fallback output, which is connected to the input that is pulling the stream from the Secondary Broadcaster source. If the first output becomes unavailable Zixi Receiver will use the second Fallback output. When the first output becomes available again Zixi Receiver will automatically switch back to the first output.  
  
  

Source Configuration

The outputs can be automatically created during run time as they are pulled by the Zixi Receiver. Two outputs can be optionally configured in the Zixi Broadcaster, each output will be related to another NIC. The names of the inputs/outputs do not have to be the same. However, if the latency of the inputs is identical and the sources are synced, the streams will be frame synced at the target.

Target Configuration

Inputs Configuration

Two inputs need to be configured on the target Zixi Receiver, one pulling the stream from the Primary Broadcaster NIC source and the other from the Secondary Broadcaster NIC source.  

To configure the primary input on target node (e.g. Zixi BroadcasterReceiver):

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the secondary Zixi Broadcaster Receiver administrative screen.
2. Click New Input on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. In the Stream ID field,  enter the same “Stream ID” as the source outputs. Select the Push option.the Input Name field, type a new name for the input. 
4. Select the Pull option.
5. In the Host field, enter the IP address of the Primary NIC source. 
6. In the Port field, enter the connection port of the source host (primary Zixi Broadcaster NIC). Default: 2077. 
7. In the Stream field, enter the stream ID used in the Primary Broadcaster NIC source output. 
8. Configure additional parameters as required. 
9. Click OK.
   

Cost Considerations

This topology duplicates the source side Zixi node software and hardware components. It does not require doubling the up-link bandwidth, as the backup connection stream is only active in the event that the primary stream fails.

A Zixi PULL input should be configured, which pulls the stream from a single source with two redundant NICs. In the event that the primary NIC becomes unavailable, the target node will automatically switch to the secondary NIC. The target node will attempt to pull from the primary NIC again only in the event that the secondary NIC becomes unavailable. 

The input in the source is configured as usual and can use any available connection types (Push, Pull, UDP, etc.). On the target Zixi Receiver you will configure one Pull input. This input is connected to the Broadcaster and includes an Alternative Host, which is the IP of the secondary NIC. In run-time, the Zixi Receiver will connect to the primary NIC in the Zixi Broadcaster and the output will be created automatically "on the fly". If the primary source becomes unavailable the target will attempt to pull the same stream with the same stream ID from the secondary NIC  (which has been defined as the Alternative Host).

Source Configuration

Configure an input, as described below. Configuring in advance the Pull output in the Broadcaster is not mandatory.

To configure the source node (e.g. Primary Zixi Broadcaster):

1. On the Inputs page of the primary Zixi Broadcaster, click New Input on the upper-right corner of the screen.
2. In the Stream ID field, type a new name for the input stream. 
3. Select the a relevant connection type option.
4. Specify the stream parameters according to the relevant connection type selected. 
5. Click OK to create the primary input.

Target Configuration

To configure To configure the secondary input on target node (e.g. Zixi Receiver):

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the Zixi Receiver administrative screen.
2. Select the newly created primary input. 
3. In the right hand drop down, select Duplicate.
   A new input is created with identical parameters
4. In the Input Name field, type a new name for the secondary input. The name should be different than the one used for the primary input. 
5. Select the Pull option.
6. In the Host field, enter the IP address of the secondary source NIC. 
7. In the Port field, enter the connection port of the secondary source host (secondary Zixi Broadcaster). Default: 2077. 
8. In the Stream field, enter the stream ID used in Secondary Broadcaster source output. 
9. Configure additional parameters as required. 
10. Click OK. 

Output Configuration

The output in the target node can be configured to include an additional source that can be either a "Primary Source" or a "Fallback Source". 

To configure the output to include an additional "Primary Source" or "Fallback Source" on the target node (e.g. Zixi Receiver): 

1. Click the Inputs Outputs tab at the top of the Zixi Receiver administrative screen.
2. Click New Input Output on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. In the Input Name field, type a new name for the inputoutput. 
4. Select the Pull option.
5. In the Host field, enter the IP of the Primary NIC. 
6. Click the "+" button to add an Alternative Host. 
7. In the Alt. Host field, enter the IP of the Secondary NICthe output type (UDP/File/ASI).
8. Under the Primary Source section, from the pull down menu select the input that is pulling the stream from the Primary Broadcaster NIC source.
9. In the Host field, enter the host name or IP of the destination IRD. 
10. In the Port field, enter the connection port of the host (Zixi Receiver). Default: 2077. 
11. In the Stream field, enter the stream ID used as configured in the source. 
    The output is created "on the fly" on the Zixi Broadcaster, so there is no need to configure it.   
12. Configure additional parameters as required. 
13. Click OK.

Cost Considerations

This topology duplicates the network link. Allocation of the expected maximum bitrate with head room is advised on each network path.

Latency Considerations

Primary Connection loss         = 

Retry cycle                              =

Connection to secondary        =

1. on the IRD. 
2. Configure additional parameters as required. 
3. Click OK.
   The new output is created and appears in the Outputs list on the Outputs Screen.  
4. On the Outputs screen, select the newly created output and click Image Added in the far-right column labeled Actions.
    The list of actions is displayed.
5. Click Add Source.
   The Add output source dialog is displayed 
6. Do one of the following:
   Select the Primary Source checkbox - to configure the redundant source as a primary source.
   Select the Fallback Source checkbox -  to configure the redundant source as a fallback source.
7. From the pull down menu select the input that is pulling the stream from the Secondary Broadcaster source. 
8. Click Add.
   The new primary source is created and will appear in the list of Primary Sources or Fallback Sources at the bottom of the screen.    

Cost Considerations

The configuration requires using double the up-link bandwidth.  Allocation of twice the expected maximum bit-rate with head room is advised.