Microsoft NetShow Theater Server Overview

NetShow Theater Server Specifications

The following information refers to the NetShow Theater Server version 3.0 product. The NetShow Theater Beta 3.0 release notes describe the differences between the specifications quoted here and the Beta 3.0 product.

Number of servers

Minimum	1	(title server & content server combined)
Maximum	13	(title server + 12 content servers)
Number of clients	Unlimited
Encoding formats supported (video & audio)	Server: Client:	MPEG-1, MPEG-2 MPEG-1*

* NetShow Theater comes with standard software MPEG-1 decode for client. Contact Microsoft for information regarding hardware MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 decode on client. MPEG-2 hardware decode drivers are required.

Maximum streams per content server*

	100BaseT NIC		40 2-Mbps streams
	ATM oc-3 NIC		50 2-Mbps streams

* No fault tolerance. When fault tolerance mode is enabled, the number of streams will be fewer, since servers must reserve bandwidth in case of a failed server. The actual number depends on configuration and declustering factor.

Maximum stream capacity for 12 content servers

	2-Mbps streams		720
	4-Mbps stream		360
	8-Mbps streams		180

Data rate per stream

Maximum 10 Mbps

Minimum 64 Kbps

Enforceable system limits

Configured system bandwidth
Configured streaming clients

Latency (from "play" command to actual start of video)

Best case: 1 second (1 content server)
Worst case: 5 seconds (12 content servers)

Storage capacity

Multiple terabyte-depending on drives selected

Video storage allowance

	@2 Mbps		0.9 GB per hour, no fault tolerance 1.8 GB per hour, with fault tolerance
	@4 Mbps		1.8 GB per hour, no fault tolerance 3.6 GB per hour, with fault tolerance

Video length

Maximum: Unlimited (depends on hardware configuration)
Minimum: 1 second

Video playback functions

Play
Stop
Pause
Fast Forward
Fast Reverse

Position granularity for video playback

1 second

Client software

ActiveX™ player control embeddable in HTML Web page
Stand-alone player (dshow.exe)
All player functions scriptable: Visual Basic®, Java, C/C++®
Completely customizable "look and feel" - SDK provided

Server software

Simultaneous loading of content and streaming
Fault-tolerance optional (doubles storage requirements)
Web-based administration and content management
Event logging, logs stored in Microsoft Access database format for analysis
All server administration functions scriptable: Visual Basic, Java, C/C++
Completely customizable "look and feel" - SDK provided

Network Protocols

Title server: TCP/IP
Content server: UDP/IP
ATM switch: UNI 3.1, Multipoint-to-point support

This white paper is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this document. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft Corporation must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information presented after the publication date.
Microsoft, Visual Basic, Visual C++, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks and NetShow, ActiveX, and BackOffice are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Other products and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.