A server array approach for video-on-demand service on local area networks

Abstract

Most video-on-demand (VOD) systems use a single, powerful server to deliver video streams to users. We consider a novel server array approach for delivering video services on networks. Such an approach has the benefits of (l) greater system capacity, as individual server has individual disk and network channel, (2) scalability, as more clients can be supported by adding more servers without data duplication, and (3) fault tolerance, as server-level fault-tolerant and fault-recovery schemes can be devised. We describe our experiences and results in the implementation of a server-array-based VOD system. Our system now has four P5-90 servers serving 40 PC-486 stations using a 10 Mbps Ethernet switch. The system can deliver 40 simultaneous and independent 1.2 Mbps, 30 fps, full TV size, MPEG-1 video streams. Our results demonstrate that with careful protocol design, Ethernet can deliver continuous video and audio services.