Unicasting a Stored ASF Stream

Use the following steps to set up a unicast of an ASF stream stored as a file on your server. Setting up a unicast in this way allows the client to play only one file. If you want clients to play a series of files, set up the unicast using a channel.

Note The NetShow unicast service uses port 1755 to establish communication between a client and the server. To allow unicasts, this port must not be disabled in Windows NT Server.

The illustration shows NetShow Server and the HTTP server on separate computers. All software can run on a single computer; however, if you plan to use NetShow Server's unicast HTTP streaming, you must run your HTTP server on a separate computer.

1. On NetShow Server, start NetShow Administrator, connect to the server you want to manage, and, using Set Publishing Points, configure the server for your network by setting up a publishing point for ASF content and, using Set Properties, setting the limits on the number of clients, bandwidth usage, and bit rate.

   For more information, see Creating a Publishing Point and Setting Unicast Server Properties.

2. Store the .asf file you want to stream in the publishing point for ASF content.
3. Clients can connect to the server and play the file using either the stand-alone or embedded NetShow player.

   To connect using the stand-alone player, specify the URL for the server, publishing point alias, and file name using the MMS protocol. For example:
   mms://servername/pubpointalias/filename.asf

   To set up the embedded player to connect, specify the URL in either the object information or the scripting code for the control.

   Clients can also connect using an announcement. Clients must use an announcement to connect if they are connecting using a Web page link to reach the stream and will then use the stand-alone player to play it. To use an announcement:

   • Create an announcement .asx file. The .asx file is a text file that points to the unicast server and .asf file.

     For more information, see Using Unicast Announcements.

   • After you have created the announcement file, you can distribute it in a variety of ways: store it on the HTTP server where clients using the embedded player or stand-alone player can access the file through a Web page; store it in a public directory on a LAN where clients using the stand-alone player can open it; or distribute it through e-mail to clients using the stand-alone player.

     Clients can connect to the server and play the file using either the stand-alone or embedded NetShow player. To connect using the stand-alone player, specify the .asx file. To set up the embedded player to connect, specify the .asx file in either the object information or the scripting code for the control.

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