Setting Up ASF Stream Distribution Servers

Use the following steps when setting up NetShow Server to feed additional NetShow servers. Such an arrangement can be useful when your network routers are not multicast enabled. For example, you can set up NetShow Server to originate a live stream, unicast it to additional NetShow servers located on subnetworks, and then multicast to the clients on those subnetworks.

The illustration shows the additional 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. Set up the first NetShow server as you would for the multicast of live or stored ASF streams.

   In NetShow Administrator, use Configure Channels to specify that the channel will be used for distribution when you create it.

2. On the second NetShow server, in NetShow Administrator, use Configure Channels to create a channel for the stream.

   The channel should match the channel you created when setting up the first server, except that the IP address and port used for the multicast must be changed. You can create the new channel by importing the channel's .nsc file or by using the Import option in Channels view. You can either import the channel's .nsc file, or import the channel information directly from the first server.

   For more information, see Importing a Channel.

3. Use Configure Channels to export the new channel to a file located on the network where clients can reach it. For example, if you are multicasting over a LAN to clients running the stand-alone NetShow Player, you can store the file in a public directory. If you are multicasting over an intranet or the Internet to clients running NetShow Player embedded in a Web page, export the file to a publishing point on an HTTP server.

   For more information, see Exporting a Channel.

4. On the second NetShow server, use Manage Programs to create a program for the stream. When adding the stream to the program, specify the channel you created and the stream's source. In this case, specify the first NetShow server as the source of the stream. Use the MSBD protocol and specify the name of the server and the name of the channel:
   msbd://servername/channelname

   For more information, see Creating a Program and Adding Active Streaming Media to a Program.

5. On the second NetShow server, use Manage Programs to create an announcement for the program. Save the announcement as an .asx file and distribute it to clients. 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.

   For more information, see Creating a Program Announcement.

6. After you have started the multicast on the first NetShow server, use Manage Programs on the second server to start the multicast.

   For more information, see Starting and Stopping a Program.

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