Introduction
Overview
How This Manual Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Manual
Terminology
Sample Links
Default Locations and Values
Available Features
Additional RealSystem Resources
Technical Support
1 Quick Start
Overview
Starting RealServer
Windows NT
UNIX
Using RealSystem Administrator to Test Your RealServer
Playing Sample Files
Creating and Streaming Your Own On-Demand Clips
Step 1: Creating a Music Clip
Step 2: Putting the Music Clip in the Content Directory
Step 3: Creating a Link (Optional)
Step 4: Playing the Sample Clip
Creating and Broadcasting Live Events
Step 1: Encoding an Event
Step 2: Creating a Link (Optional)
Step 3: Playing the Clip
2 What's New in RealServer 8?
New Features in RealServer Version 8
Distributed Licensing
Port Hinting
Redundant Encoders
Splitting
Stream Encryption
Support for Additional Data Types
New Features in RealServer Version 7
Ad Server Integration with RealServer
ISP Hosting Support
Log Rolling for Both Access Log and Error Log Files
Multicast Shift to Unicast Feature
Pending Changes Page in RealSystem Administrator
SureStream Support for G2SLTA and Live File Archiving
View Source Code of SMIL Files
Compatibility with Earlier Releases
3 Overview of RealServer
What Is RealServer?
What Is RealSystem?
How RealServer Works
Channels and Protocols
Occasional Exceptions
Communication Between Encoders and RealServer
Communication Between RealServer and RealPlayers
Streaming Media Delivery Methods
Choosing a Delivery Method
On-Demand Streaming
Live Event Broadcasting
Unicasting
Splitting
Multicasting
Simulated Live Event Broadcasting
Summary
Linking to RealSystem Content
Working with Other Webcasting Professionals
RealServer Features
Ad Streaming
Access Control
Authentication
Firewalls
ISP Hosting
Monitoring
RealProxy
RealSystem Administrator
Redundancy
Reporting (Log Files)
View Source
Using RealServer Features Together
License Files
Information Stored in the License
Reading the License
Minimum Licensed Features
4 Sources of Content
Overview
Creating an On-Demand Source with RealProducer Plus
Step 1: Creating the Clip
Step 2: Copying the Clip to RealServer
Step 3: Linking to the On-Demand Clip
Creating a Live Source with RealProducer Plus
Step 1: Starting the Live Encoding with RealProducer Plus
Step 2: Linking to the Live Event
Virtual Paths
Creating a Live Source with G2SLTA
When to Use G2SLTA
G2SLTA Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and G2SLTA
Live Unicasting and G2SLTA
Archiving G2SLTA Broadcasts
Splitting and G2SLTA
Multicasting and G2SLTA
Access Control, Authentication, and G2SLTA
Java Monitor and G2SLTA
Reporting and G2SLTA
Setting Up and Running G2SLTA
Step 1: Configuring RealServer
Step 2: Creating a Playlist
Step 3: Running G2SLTA
Step 4: Linking to the Simulated Live Broadcast
Stopping G2SLTA
Optional G2SLTA Features
Using G2SLTA for Splitting and Multicasting
Files Required by G2SLTA
Working with Redundant Sources
Redundant Sources Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Redundant Sources
G2SLTA and Redundant Sources
Archiving Redundant Broadcasts
Splitting and Redundant Sources
Multicasting and Redundant Sources
Access Control, Authentication, and Redundant Sources
ISP Hosting and Redundant Sources
Java Monitor and Redundant Sources
Reporting and Redundant Sources
Setting Up Redundant Sources
Setting Up the Source
Linking to Redundant Content
5 Understanding Link Formats
Overview
Parts of a Link
Protocol
Choosing the Right Protocol
Address
Port
Mount Point
Including Multiple Mount Points in One Link
Mount Points and Directories with the Same Name
Path
Mount Points vs. Paths
File
Sharing Information for Links
Metafiles
Ram Files and Ramgen
Ram Files
Ramgen: A Shortcut to Ram Files
SMIL Files
Where to Put On-Demand Clips
Storing Clips in the Content Directory
Storing Clips in a Subdirectory of the Content Directory
Storing Clips in a Different Directory
Creating Additional Mount Points
Recognizing Clips in a Different System
Authenticated Clips
Where to Put Live Clips
6 Starting and Stopping RealServer
Windows
Starting RealServer Manually
Setting Up RealServer as a Service Under Windows NT
Additional Options for Windows NT
Stopping RealServer on Windows NT
UNIX
Starting RealServer on UNIX
Stopping RealServer on UNIX
7 Customizing RealServer Features
Overview
Customizing RealServer Using RealSystem Administrator
Starting RealSystem Administrator
Using RealSystem Administrator
Restricting Access to RealSystem Administrator
Configuration File
Editing the Configuration File with a Text Editor
Common Settings
Port Numbers
Mount Points
MIME Types
MIME Types on a Web Server
MIME Types on RealServer
8 Advanced Features
Displaying Source Code for SMIL Files and Media Clips
View Source on SMIL Files
Security
Listing All On-Demand Content
A Note About Web Servers
View Source Used with Other Features
Streaming, Unicasting, and View Source
Archiving and View Source
G2SLTA and View Source
Splitting and View Source
Access Control, Authentication, and View Source
Reporting and View Source
Changing View Source Settings
Optional View Source Features
Displaying Source Code Only for Certain Streams
Temporarily Overriding Individual Path Settings
Allowing Users to See Complete Paths in SMIL Files
Browsing Your Content
Changing Content Browsing Settings
Optional Content Browsing Settings
RealServer Caching Features
Caching used with Other Features and with RealProxy
Streaming On-Demand Clips and RealProxy
Unicasting, Splitting, Multicasting and RealProxy
Access Control and RealProxy
Authentication and RealProxy
ISP Hosting and RealProxy
Monitoring and RealProxy
Reporting and RealProxy
Ad Streaming and RealProxy
Changing Cache Settings
Optional Caching Features
Distributed Licensing
Setting Up Distributed Licensing
Setting Up the Publisher
Setting Up Subscribers
Monitoring Distributed Licensing
Reserving IP Addresses for RealServer's Use
Running Web Servers and RealServer on the Same System
Port Hinting
Setting Up Port Hinting
Features Specific to the Operating System
Windows NT-Only Features
Windows NT Service
Windows NT Performance Monitor
Windows NT Event Viewer
UNIX-Only Features
User and Group Variables
Process ID (PID)
SIGHUP
9 Firewalls and RealServer
Overview
Who Should Read This Chapter
Highlights of This Chapter
Firewalls and Their Interaction with RealServer Features
On-Demand Streaming and Firewalls
Live Unicasting and Firewalls
Splitting and Firewalls
Multicasting and Firewalls
Caching and Firewalls
Access Control, Reporting, and Firewalls
Authentication and Firewalls
ISP Hosting and Firewalls
Protocols Used by RealServer
How Firewalls Can Affect the User Experience
Potential Problems with Firewalls
Communicating with Software Behind Firewalls
Communicating with Clients
How Clients Communicate with a RealServer from Behind a Firewall
Improving User Experience for Clients Behind a Firewall
Communicating with Encoders
Communicating with Receivers
Communicating with RealProxys
Firewall Configurations (for Firewall Administrators)
Application-Level Proxy Firewall
Transparent Proxy Firewall
Packet Filter Firewall
Stateful Packet Filtering Firewall
SOCKS Firewall
Network Address Translation Firewall
Summary of Firewall Types and Characteristics
Best Firewall Configurations
Locating RealServer Near the Firewall
Ports Used in Streaming and Unicasting
Port Numbers Used by RealServer
Port Numbers Used by Receivers
Port Numbers Used by RealProxy
Port Numbers Used by Encoders
Port Numbers Used by RealPlayer
10 Streaming On-Demand Presentations
Overview
When to Use Streaming
On-Demand Streaming Used with Other Features
Live Delivery Methods: Unicasting, Simulated Live Broadcasting, Splitting, Multicasting, and On-Demand Streaming
Live Archiving and On-Demand Streaming
RealProxy and On-Demand Streaming
Firewalls and On-Demand Streaming
Access Control, Authentication, and On-Demand Streaming
Monitoring and On-Demand Streaming
Logging and On-Demand Streaming
Storing On-Demand Clips
Streaming On-Demand Clips
RealServer Settings
Linking to On-Demand Clips
Working with SureStream Clips
Files Created with Previous Encoder Versions
All Other Data Types
11 Unicasting Live Presentations
Overview
When to Use Live Unicasting
Live Unicasting Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Live Unicasting
Live Archiving and Live Unicasting
Simulated Live (G2SLTA) and Live Unicasting
Splitting and Live Unicasting
Multicasting and Live Unicasting
RealProxy and Live Unicasting
Firewalls and Live Unicasting
Access Control, Authentication, and Live Unicasting
ISP Hosting and Live Unicasting
Monitoring and Live Unicasting
Logging and Live Unicasting
Unicasting Live Clips
Configuring RealServer for Live Unicasting
Encoders
Pre-G2 Encoders
Creating the Link to the Live Unicast
Optional Live Unicasting Features
Archiving Live Broadcasts
Choosing the Size of the Archived Files
Temporary Files in the Archive Directory
When to Use Live Archiving
Live Archiving Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Live Archiving
Splitting, Multicasting, and Live Archiving
Setting Up Live Archiving
Disabling Live Archiving
Linking to Archived Files
Optional Live Archiving Features
Archiving Only Certain Streams
Creating Small Files Limited by Size or Time
Archiving to Another Disk Drive
Using Bandwidth Negotiation
12 Splitting Live Presentations
Overview
Example Splitting Scenario
Splitting Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Splitting
Live Unicasting and Splitting
Multicasting and Splitting
Live Archiving and Splitting
G2SLTA and Splitting
RealProxy and Splitting
Firewalls and Splitting
Access Control and Splitting
Authentication and Splitting
Calculating Latency and Bandwidth
Stream Acquisition Latency
Bandwidth Considerations
Compatibility with Earlier Versions of RealServer
Setting Up Splitting
Step 1: Setting Up the Transmitter
Optional Transmitter Features
Step 2: Setting Up the Receiver
Optional Receiver Features
Step 3: Linking to Split Content
Optional Configurations
Broadcasting Over Multiple Network Paths
Using Receivers as Transmitters
Using Backup Transmitters
Linking to Backup Transmitters
Chaining Receivers
Setting Up Chain Splitting
Pull Splitting
Using Push Splitting and Pull Splitting Together
Setting Up the Transmitter for Pull Splitting
Setting Up the Receiver for Pull Splitting
Linking to Pull Split Content
Example Pull Splitting Link
13 Multicasting Live Presentations
Overview
When to Use Multicasting
RealServer Multicasting Methods
Back-Channel Multicasting
RTSP Multicast
PNA Multicast
Scalable Multicasting
Choosing the Method of Multicasting
Multicasting Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Multicasting
Live Unicasting and Multicasting
Live Archiving and Multicasting
Simulated Live (G2SLTA) and Multicasting
Splitting and Multicasting
RealProxy and Multicasting
Firewalls and Multicasting
Access Control, Authentication, and Multicasting
Monitoring and Multicasting
Reporting and Multicasting
Additional Resources
Setting Up Both Types of Multicasting
Setting Up the Network for Multicasting
Allocating Addresses and Ports in RealServer
Determining the Number of Required Addresses and Ports
Publicizing Your Multicasts
Multicasting with Multiple Network Interface Cards
Setting Up Back-Channel Multicasting
Configuring RealServer for Back-Channel Multicasting
Linking to Back-Channel Multicasts
Optional Back-Channel Multicasting Features
Sending SAP Information with Your Multicasts
Listing Ranges of Authorized Clients
Requiring Multicasting Access Rather Than Unicasting
Setting Up Scalable Multicasting
Settings Used in Scalable Multicast
Setting Up a Live Channel
Linking to Scalable Multicasts
Optional Scalable Multicast Features
Sending SAP Information with Your Multicasts
Using Unicasting as a Backup Method
Controlling Client Statistics
Enabling RTSP-based Multicast Clients to Read SDP and SAP Files
14 Limiting Access to RealServer
Overview
Controlling Access to HTTP Streams
Limiting Access by Number of Connections or Bandwidth
Limiting Access by RealPlayer Version
Limiting Access to Back-Channel Multicast Reception
Limiting Access with the IP Address
When to Use Access Control
Access Control Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming, Live Unicasting, G2SLTA, and Access Control
Splitting, Multicasting and Access Control
RealProxy and Access Control
Authentication and Access Control
ISP Hosting and Access Control
Monitoring and Access Control
Reporting and Access Control
Understanding Access Control Rules
Deciding What Rules to Create
Numbering the Rules
Setting Up IP Access Control
Creating General Access Rules
Creating Specific Access Rules
15 Authenticating RealServer Users
Overview
When to Use Authentication
Authentication Used with Other Features
On-Demand Streaming and Authentication
Live Unicasting and Authentication
Archiving and Authentication
G2SLTA and Authentication
Splitting and Authentication
Multicasting and Authentication
RealProxy and Authentication
Firewalls and Authentication
Access Control and Authentication
ISP Hosting and Authentication
Monitoring and Authentication
Reporting and Authentication
Adding User Names and Passwords
Authenticating Encoder Users
Encoders
Pre-G2 Encoders
Authenticating RealSystem Administrator Users
Authenticating Content Users
Step 1: Adding User Names and Passwords
Step 2: Giving Users Access to Content
Step 3: Creating the Content
Step 4: Linking to Authenticated Content
Optional Content User Authentication Features
Allowing Users to View a Clip from More Than One Location
Player Validation
Automating Registration
Registering Player Validation Users Via Links
Using the Evaluate Permissions Feature
Working with SMIL Files
Optional Authentication Features (for All Types of Users)
Creating a New Realm
Creating a New Database
Changing RealSystem 5.0 Authentication Passwords
16 Storing Authentication Data
Overview
Using Text Files for Authentication Data
Users Directory
Guids Directory
Logs Directory
Redirect Directory
Using a Database for Authentication Data
Users Table
Permissions Table
Register_Log Table
Redirect Table
Access_log Table
Setting Up Other Types of Data Storage
17 ISP Hosting
Overview
Links to Users' Hosted Content
Account Information
Connections Available for Each Account
ISP Hosting Used with Other Features
Tracking Account Usage
Dedicating RealServer to ISP Hosting
Compatibility with Earlier Versions of RealServer
Example ISP Hosting Scenario-Northwest ISP
Users' Directory Structures
Directory Structures in Dedicated Hosting
Setting Up ISP Hosting
Step 1: Creating the User List
Listing Individual Accounts
Listing Generic Accounts
Combining Individual Account Listings with a Generic Listing
Using Multiple User List Files
Re-Reading an Updated User List File
Dedicated Hosting User File Format
Creating User Lists From Earlier Versions
Step 2: Configuring RealServer
Step 3: Linking to ISP Content
Dedicated Hosting Server
18 Monitoring RealServer Activity
Java Monitor
Java Monitor Used with Other Features
Live Archiving and Java Monitor
G2SLTA and Java Monitor
Splitting and Java Monitor
Multicasting and Java Monitor
Using Java Monitor
Configuring Java Monitor Settings
Optional Java Monitor Features
Options Menu
Tabs
Key Tab
Performance Tab
Connections Tab
Files Tab
Java Monitor Modes
Windows NT Performance Monitor
19 Reporting RealServer Activity
Access Log
Access Log Files Used with Other Features
Number of Records Created for Each Clip
On-Demand Streaming and Access Log Files
Live Unicasting and Access Log Files
G2SLTA and Access Log Files
Splitting and Access Log Files
Multicasting and Access Log Files
Access Control, Authentication, and Access Log Files
ISP Hosting and Access Log Files
Monitoring and Access Log Files
RealSystem Administrator and Access Log Files
SMIL Presentations, Ram Files, and Access Log Files
Reading an Access Log
Access Log Format
LoggingStyle Results
StatsMask Results
Customizing Information Reported by the Access Log
Changing Information Gathered with Logging Style
Changing Information Gathered with Stats Mask
Omitting Client Identifiers
Using the GET Statement to Identify Delivery Method
Error Log
Error Log File Format
Log File Rolling
Disabling Log File Rolling
Cached Requests Log
Reading a Cached Requests Log
Disabling Cache Request Logging
20 Streaming Targeted Ads
How Ad Streaming Works
Quick Start for Testing Ad Banner Insertion
Testing your Own Banner Ads
General Steps for Setting Up Ad Streaming
Getting Ad URLs from an Ad Server
Understanding Ad Types
Guidelines for Ads in Streaming Presentations
Integrating RealServer Directly with an Ad Server
Setting up a Target HTML Page on a Web Server
Guidelines for Creating a Target HTML Page
Requesting SMIL Files from an Ad Server
Configuring RealServer to Stream Ads
Understanding Ad Streaming Mount Points
Choosing the Ad Streaming Base Mount Point
Using Authentication with Ad Streaming
Creating Ad Streaming Mount Points
Why are There Different Ad Server Types?
Setting Up Rotating Banner Ads
Changing Timeouts Values
Overriding Mount Point Settings through SMIL
Overriding the Target URL Location
Overriding Banner Rotation Settings
Generating SMIL Files for Ads
Limitations on Automatic SMIL Generation
Understanding SMIL Generation Mount Points
Creating SMIL Generation Mount Points
Setting SMIL Options
21 Troubleshooting
Overview
General Troubleshooting Steps
Step 1: Make sure RealServer is running.
I can't start the Server at all.
When I click the Server icon, the command window opens briefly but then disappears.
I can start the Server, but I can't connect to it.
The Server is running, but many features have stopped working.
Step 2: Try different ways of connecting.
Try using IP addresses, rather than DNS names.
Play the sample files.
Play your files.
Step 3: Check the production tools.
Step 4: Check the remaining areas.
Step 5: Work with the system or network administrator.
Troubleshooting RealSystem Administrator
How do I figure out which port number to use for RealSystem Administrator?
How do I look up my user name and password?
I can't start RealSystem Administrator.
I receive JavaScript errors.
Troubleshooting On-Demand Streaming
I can't stream any on-demand content.
Troubleshooting Live Unicasting
I can't find my live clips. Where are they?
Live unicasting is not working...what should I do?
Troubleshooting Live Archiving
Troubleshooting G2SLTA
Troubleshooting Splitting
Transmitter-to-Receiver Connections
Receiver-to-Client Connections
Troubleshooting Multicasting
Checking RealServer
Special Issues with the Configuration File
Connecting with the Client
Troubleshooting Access Control
Troubleshooting Authentication
"Your account has been locked, contact your content provider for more information."
"Your account has expired, contact your content provider for more information."
"You must register your RealPlayer before viewing this content. Please contact your content provider for assistance."
"This player doesn't support user authentication"
Troubleshooting Monitoring
Troubleshooting Ad Streaming
Special Issues with the Configuration File
Troubleshooting SMIL File Issues
"GIF [or JPEG]: Bad URL-encoded bitrate."
"GIF [or JPEG]: Bad URL-encoded url."
"GIF: Bad URL-encoded background color."
"GIF [or JPEG]: Bad URL-encoded target." or "GIF [or JPEG]: URL-encoded target must either be _player or _browser"
"GIF [or JPEG]: Bad URL-encoded reliable flag."
"GIF: Unknown player command in URL-encoded url attribute." or "JPEG: Unknown player command in url URL encoding."
"GIF [or JPEG]: Illegal time formatting in URL-encoded seek time."
"GIF [or JPEG]: Cannot target browser with a player command."
Troubleshooting Other Issues
I get a message saying "The Server has reached capacity"
I get a message stating "License exceeded"
Troubleshooting Problems in RealPlayer
Users get the contents of Ram files, instead of launching the Ram files
Users get "File not found" error message in browser
Users get messages telling them their software is not the right version.
Users get messages telling them they need RealPlayer Plus, not just RealPlayer.
Users get messages about "insufficient bandwidth"
Users get messages telling them that they shouldn't use PNA or PNM.
This message appears: "You cannot receive this content. Either your network bandwidth is not fast enough to receive this data or your CPU is not powerful enough to decode it."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Write links so that users download your clips, rather than stream them.
If you are a firewall administrator, only allow HTTP traffic.
Create compelling content, and incorrectly use PNA as the protocol.
Spell clip names correctly, but change the capitalization.
Serve poorly authored content.
Contacting RealNetworks Technical Support
Determining the Server Version
A Summary of Link Formats
The Subject of a Link
How Authenticated Content Is Different
Multiple Mount Points in Links
Port Numbers in Links
B Configuration File Syntax
Configuration File Components
XML Declaration Tag
Comment Tags
List Tags
Variable Tags
C Configuration File Contents
Editing the Configuration File
RealSystem Administrator and the Configuration File
Some Observations About Variables
RealServer Features in the Configuration File
Ad Streaming
Access Control
Allowance
Authentication and Commerce
Authentication Realms
Commerce Rules List
Player Authentication
Databases List
Secure Content
Broadcast Redundancy
Caching
Encoders
File Systems (FSMount)
ShortName Variable
Local File System
HTTP Support
HTTPDeliverable
HTTPPostable
ISP Hosting
How RealServer Looks for Users' Content (Account-Based Hosting)
How RealServer Looks for Users' Content (Dedicated Hosting)
IP Binding
Distributed Licensing
Live Archiving
Logging
MIME Types
Multicasting
Back-Channel Multicasting
Scalable Multicasting
Passwords
Paths
Ports
Ramgen
RealSystem Administrator
Splitting
Transmitter Settings
Receiver Settings
UNIX-Only Settings
View Source
Features Available Only Through Direct Editing
Index