Dual NIC PULL Redundancy (Hot Redundancy)

Zixi can be configured to PULL a stream from a single source with multiple NICs to a single target. 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 Receiver):

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the Zixi Receiver administrative screen.
2. Click New Input on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. In 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.
   

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 Outputs tab at the top of the Zixi Receiver administrative screen.
2. Click New Output on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. In the Name field, type a new name for the output. 
4. Select the output type (UDP/File/ASI).
5. Under the Primary Source section, from the pull down menu select the input that is pulling the stream from the Primary Broadcaster NIC source.
6. In the Host field, enter the host name or IP of the destination IRD. 
7. In the Port field, enter the connection port on the IRD. 
8. Configure additional parameters as required. 
9. Click OK.
   The new output is created and appears in the Outputs list on the Outputs Screen.  
10. On the Outputs screen, select the newly created output and click  in the far-right column labeled Actions.
     The list of actions is displayed.
11. Click Add Source.
    The Add output source dialog is displayed 
12. 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.
13. From the pull down menu select the input that is pulling the stream from the Secondary Broadcaster source. 
14. 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.