The Research Multimedia Server Complex is a scalable collection of heterogeneous multimedia servers which uses a variety of communications protocols and network types to deliver multimedia objects to clients. The multimedia objects, which vary greatly in size, may be a mixture of data types including video, audio, and image. Providing a uniform interface that can accommodate a large variety of servers and communication interfaces is a significant challenge. The major functions of the Research Server Complex Manager (RSCM) are as follows. The RSCM provides a uniform external interface to applications hiding the heterogeneity and making the server complex appear as a single multimedia server. QOS for streams is guaranteed by the RSCM by reserving resources for individual requests. The RSCM provides interfaces for entering multimedia objects into the server complex as well as for recording information about the objects needed for efficient management of the server complex. Finally, a single operational interface for managing the complex is provided by the RSCM. The Research Server Complex Manager is designed and implemented in order to validate various design decisions and to experiment with alternatives. It has been used in trials and forms the basis for the Media Streamer product from IBM. This paper justifies the particular functions of the RSCM, explains the design decisions and tradeoffs, and summarizes the lessons learned during implementation and use. The overall Server Complex Architecture and other components are also discussed.
By: A. Dan, M. Eshel, J. Hollan, R. Kemeson, M. Kienzle, J. McAssey, R. Rose, D. Sitaram and W. Tetzlaff
Published in: RC20705 in 1997
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NOTICE:
This Research Report is available. This report has been submitted for publication outside of IBM and will probably be copyrighted if accepted for publication. It has been issued as a Research Report for early dissemination of its contents. In view of the transfer of copyright to the outside publisher, its distribution outside of IBM prior to publication should be limited to peer communications and specific requests. After outside publication, requests should be filled only by reprints or legally obtained copies of the article (e.g., payment of royalties). I have read and understand this notice and am a member of the scientific community outside or inside of IBM seeking a single copy only.
Questions about this service can be mailed to reports@us.ibm.com .