Single PUSH Transmission to Redundant Targets (Hot Redundancy)

A Zixi source can be configured to PUSH a single input stream to multiple output targets in parallel. The topology includes a source node receiving a single IP input, while simultaneously pushing the stream to two live targets. Two differently named outputs are created at the source using the same Input Stream.  If the latency of the outputs is identical, the streams will be frame synced, provided that the video is synced during its entry.

Source Configuration

The following procedure describes how to configure the Zixi Feeder to push a single stream to two target hosts in a hot redundancy configuration. In order to configure a hot redundancy you will need to create two outputs containing the same Stream ID with the same latency configuration. The procedure does cover instructions on how to configure the Input into the Zixi Feeder.  

To configure the first source output in the 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 nodes.
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 output in the 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. The output name for the second output should be different than the one used in the first output.   
3. In the Type field, select Push to Broadcaster.
4. In the Input Name field, select the relevant input stream. This should be the same input stream as the one used in the first output. 
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 nodes.
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. If the latency of the outputs is identical to the one used in the first output, the streams will be frame synced, provided that the video is synced during its entry.
10. In the Host field, enter the host name or IP of the secondary 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 second output is added to the Outputs list. 

Target Configuration

The following procedures describe how to configure the two target Zixi Broadcasters in a hot redundancy configuration. The two targets 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 first Zixi Broadcaster 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 first source output.
4. Select the Push option.
5. In the Password field, if you have configured a password in the source (Feeder output), enter the same password.
6. Configure additional parameters as required. 
7. Click OK.

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

1. Click the Inputs tab at the top of the second Zixi Broadcaster 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 second source output.
4. Select the Push option.
5. In the Password field, if you have configured a password in the source (Feeder output), enter the same password.
6. Configure additional parameters as required. 
7. Click OK.

Cost Considerations

This topology duplicates the target side Zixi node software and hardware components. This configuration also requires doubling the up-link bandwidth.  It is recommended to allocate more than twice the expected maximum bit-rate to ensure head room.

Latency Considerations

Primary Connection loss         = 

Retry cycle                              =

Connection to secondary        =

Total recovery Time                =