Icecast Streaming Media Server

[jjjj12212]

Hi Everyone,

we just got someone who would like us to host over 200,000 concurrent listners. I know, its alot.

Due to bandwidth issues, we cannot have 200,000 listeners on 1 server with a 1GB upload (and assume unlimited bandwidth per month) . I have done the math already and we are broadcasting 8KB/sec (converted 64Kb/sec to 8KBytes/sec) so I can have roughly a maxium of 125,000 listeners (125,000 X .008 = 1GB)

We still need to cover the 75,000 listeners.

I am new to icecast and unfamiliar to some of the *TERMs* is uses.

1. How does RELAYing works? I did read the document (still didn't quite get it) but is it possible to setup another server with 1GB upload speed (of course on another dedicated Fibre), and relay* the master music to the slave then point the users to that server? (if yes, I need to see an example, sorry) if no, can I setup another encoder to point to the other icecast server and forward the 75,000 listeners to the other server? (using php of course)

2. I don't quite understanding the *mounting* and how this works in icecast, can you tell me what this is about and maybe an example?

Like I said, I am new with icecast and only have little knowledge with broadcasting.

Thanks,
jjjj12212

[karlH]

have a master icecast where the source(s) connect to and then a series of slave icecasts referring to it. 125k listener is probably the top end as you have some overhead and then there is burst data at the beginning of a connection, you can always adjust the max limits and reload the xml without affecting the existing listeners.

Configuration wise, just setup the master like any other but make a note of the relay user and relay password so that you can place them in the master username and master password of the slave icecasts.

How you load share is another matter, could be at a DNS level or multiple entries in a playlist or dynamically create a playlist with changeable order via php.

karl.

[jjjj12212]

ok, here is another question. sorry for being a noob, but asking is the best way to receive help.

what does Relaying even do exactly? what is the purpose of it?

[karlH]

A mountpoint is just a reference for a file or stream much like you have for a file from a webserver. A source is the original creator of the stream that sends content to icecast. A source is often located away from icecast but can be on the same machine. icecast can handle separate streams by using a unique mountpoint.

A relay is a streaming mountpoint on an icecast that duplicates content from another streaming mountpoint. It could be from another icecast or even the same icecast (sounds an odd thing to have but can be useful in separating groups of listeners).

A slave icecast is one configured to retrieve a set of mountpoints (streaming mountpoints) from a master icecast and to automatically create a series of relays which then retrieve content. So a single master can feed a series of slaves and each slave can a number of listeners.

karl.

[jjjj12212]

Thanks again KariH,

I think that is all the information I need.