Software

Cost-effective Scalability

The modular design of the StreamLiner node and cluster architectures allows scalability from tens of streams on a single server to millions of streams across hundreds of distributed servers. The costs to the operator are highly variable and scale with the number of paying subscribers.

The StreamLiner’s field-tested VOD server software consists of multiple building blocks, such as individual server nodes, to assemble a total solution that is cost-optimized for an operator’s specific requirements. This reduces risk when investing in and operating the system. Harmonic’s StreamLiner 2000 solution provides an excellent fit for a wide range of video delivery service deployments within the cable and telco TV markets. These include highly interactive user services such as VOD, time-shifted TV and nPVR, as well as traditional scheduled broadcast services such as NVOD and barker channel services.

Applications

• Video-on-demand (VOD)
• Time-shifted TV
• Live TV on-demand
• Catch-up TV
• After broadcast
• Ad server
• Operator scheduled record/ playout
• Near video on demand (NVOD)
• Barker channel

Highlights

• Memory and disk-based streaming
• RAID-X for data protection
• High streaming performance
• Dynamic trick play
• Server node clustering
• Comprehensive system and service management

Price and Performance Advantages

When compared with proprietary hardware solutions, the Harmonic StreamLiner provides numerous price, performance and feature advantages. Each StreamLiner node is a self- contained storage and streaming engine comprised of chassis, control processor, storage (RAM-based and/or hard disk-based) and network interfaces capable of serving thousands of simultaneous streams. Multiple StreamLiner nodes can be clustered using an IP/GbE backbone network. The Harmonic StreamLiner also provides unlimited operational flexibility: it can be used with centralized or distributed servers; memory-based or disk- based asset storage systems; dozens or millions of streams; multiple streaming formats (MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 AVC); and offers the ability to scale storage and streaming capacity independently.

Highest Density, 24/7 Reliability

Along with its breakthrough technology and highly affordable price points, StreamLiner also offers the highest stream density on the market. For service providers this means lower fixed costs, increased scalability, and lower operational costs realized from reduced space and power consumption. Customers expect 24x7 service reliability and Harmonic’s StreamLiner is ready with two levels of enhanced fault-tolerant availability. Each StreamLiner node features redundant cooling fans, power supplies and RAID protection for disk drives.

At the system level, StreamLiner’s integrated clustering technology provides load balancing and fault-tolerance among nodes within a cluster. By protecting at the node level and system level, StreamLiner ensures maximum uptime to meet customer demands.

Server Models

On-Demand applications typically exhibit long-tailed behavior where at a given point in time only a limited number of assets demonstrate high popularity while a majority of assets receive very few requests from the subscribers. To meet the requirements of the typical long-tailed demand curve, Harmonic has developed a powerful range of StreamLiner video servers. This range includes high-end systems capable of acting as centralized library servers storing tens of thousands of hours of popular and niche programming. Other servers in the StreamLiner family are focused on RAM-based streaming, and can distribute thousands of simultaneous streams from a compact two rack-unit system. Models using a mix of RAM and hard disk drive technology as well as smaller-scale storage servers are also available. The table below demonstrates the base models in the new StreamLiner 2000 series of platforms.