Chapter 14: Adding Streaming Media to Enterprise Networks

This part is about deploying and using Windows Media on a large-scale enterprise intranet. Rather than describe every possible way to configure a streaming media system, we will focus on one scenario that covers a number of deployment issues. The scenario is built around a fictitious, medium-to-large company with branch offices worldwide. The company creates about 70 percent of its streaming media content internally, typically in the form of live, one-to-many broadcasts and on-demand presentations, many of which incorporate Microsoft PowerPoint slides. The rest of the content is redistributed
by permission from external sources, such as corporate education programs, financial and news programs, and videos from vendors received through satellite or cable.

To deliver the content, the company uses a streaming media network topology that decentralizes distribution. Steaming media content is first hosted on three origin servers that reside in the company’s main data center. The three Windows Media servers are configured in a cluster, so the load is balanced across them. From this media server “farm,” the content is distributed to users through a network of cache/proxy servers. By employing a number of servers throughout a large enterprise, a company can effectively spread out bandwidth usage.

How Are Enterprise Deployments Different?

Enterprise systems are different from commercial systems on the Internet because of the network environment and the role digital media plays. In an enterprise, the network is controlled by the company; network usage is more predictable because the company decides how it is used. This is not the case on the Internet. Also, in an enterprise, digital media is used for a different reason. On the Internet, it is a commodity; in an enterprise it is a tool used to communicate and educate.

For these reasons it would appear to be easier to deploy and use streaming media in an enterprise than on the Internet. However, enterprises have their own set of challenges. Even though the network environment is more controlled, it is not always robust and flexible enough to handle many different types of traffic, such as streaming media. Also, most enterprises are not in the business of producing content. Where many Internet sites, such as radio stations, are built around the production of creative content, to an enterprise such as an insurance company, content creation is a small part of its corporate vision. For many large corporations, it is difficult to justify spending a lot of time and resources on digital media without a very clear return on investment.

In the scenario presented, we will see how a company solves these problems by approaching deployment of a streaming media system as an extension of the existing infrastructure. In other words, they are adding value to what is already there. Through business planning and justification, solid project management, and integration, the streaming media system can and should be regarded as an extension of the business model.

When deploying a Windows Media streaming system in an enterprise, you should consider the following business tasks:

• Identify stakeholders. These are the people who have a stake in the streaming media business. Make sure you know who they are, and that they are aligned with the business vision.

• Build a business plan. Just like every other part of the enterprise, the streaming media business should have a structure and defined boundaries.

• Manage risk. As you detail the plans of a system, you should indicate where problems could occur and make sure you have the time and resources available to handle them. This book provides you with information so you can identify and understand potential problems.

• Adapt and integrate Windows Media into other enterprise systems. Windows Media is an extension of the existing infrastructure, so you need to know how all the parts fit together.

• Manage the system effectively. After deployment, an effective business plan must include an effective operating plan.

As we have seen in previous sections, it doesn’t take a lot to begin streaming over a network. The size and complexity of a streaming media system depends on the scale of your streaming media requirements. Much of planning a system is understanding what scale means in terms of deploying a Windows Media system, and how you can take advantage of scale to optimize resources and the end-user experience.