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Designing and scaling distributed VoD servers

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Abstract

Planning Video-on-Demand (VoD) services based on the server architecture and the available equipment is always a challenging task. We created a formal model to support the design of distributed video servers that adapt dynamically and automatically to the changing client demands, network and host parameters. The model makes giving estimations about the available throughput possible, and defines evaluation criteria for VoD services relating to utilization and load balance, video usage, client satisfaction and costs. The dynamism of the frame model originates from the possible state transitions which have to be defined in a core model. The core model is responsible for configuration recommendation which determines how clients are served depending on the properties of their requests, system configuration and system load. Furthermore, it decides on the optimal placement of the server components in the network. The usability of the model is illustrated on examples.

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Acknowledgements

This work was carried out partially during the tenure of an ERCIM “Alain Bensoussan” Fellowship Programme. Partial support of the Hungarian National Science Fund (Grant No. OTKA 67651) and the Mobile Innovation Center, Hungary is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    Péter Kárpáti

  2. Computer and Automation Research Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Kende u. 13–17, 1111, Budapest, Hungary

    Tibor Szkaliczki

  3. Klagenfurt University, Universitätsstraße 65-67, 9020, Klagenfurt, Austria

    László Böszörményi

Authors
  1. Péter Kárpáti
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  2. Tibor Szkaliczki
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  3. László Böszörményi
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Correspondence to Tibor Szkaliczki.

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Kárpáti, P., Szkaliczki, T. & Böszörményi, L. Designing and scaling distributed VoD servers. Multimed Tools Appl 41, 55–91 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-008-0219-y

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