Dual PUSH Transmission to Redundant Targets (Hot Redundancy)

Zixi can be deployed to provide source and target redundancy. This topology includes two simultaneous streams delivered in parallel from two separate source nodes to a corresponding pair of redundant targets. If the latency of the outputs is identical, the streams will be frame synced, provided that the video is synced on entry. 

Source Configuration

The following procedure describes how to configure two Zixi Feeders to push the same stream to two target hosts in a hot redundancy configuration. In order to configure a hot redundancy you will need to create an output in each of the Zixi Feeders. The procedure does not cover instructions on how to configure the Input into the Zixi Feeder.  

To configure the first 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 the 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. 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 NIC (Network Interface Card) in the Source through which the stream will be pushed.
13. Click OK.
    The output is added to the Outputs list. 

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

• Repeat the steps above to configure the second source node, however in the Host field enter the host name or IP of the second target. 
• The stream in the second source can have the same Stream ID as the first source or a different Stream ID. 

Target Configuration

The following procedures describe how to configure the two target Zixi Broadcasters in a hot redundancy configuration. The two targets can use the same Stream IDs or use different Stream IDs, as configured in the first and second sources. 

To configure the first target node (e.g. Zixi Broadcaster):

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the primary Zixi Broadcaster administrative screen
2. Click New Input on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. Select the Push option.
4. Create an input at the primary target, ensuring the “Stream ID” matches that of the first source output.
5. Configure additional parameters as required. 
6. Click OK.

To configure the second target node (e.g. Zixi Broadcaster): 

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the secondary Zixi Broadcaster administrative screen
2. Click New Input on the upper right hand side of the screen.
3. Select the Push option.
4. Create an input at the secondary target, ensuring the “Stream ID” matches that of the second source output.
5. Configure additional parameters as required. 
6. Click OK.

Cost Considerations

This topology duplicates the hardware and software components of both the source and the target. The configuration also requires using double the up-link bandwidth.  Allocation of twice the expected maximum bit-rate with head room is advised.

Latency Considerations

For detailed recovery time details, please contact your Zixi representative.