On 12/2/2010 4:08 PM, Jay Ashworth wrote:
Yes, Tony, but they can't *count the connected users that way*, you see.
Actually, given content protection, I highly expect any device receiving multicast video to also have a session open to handle various things, possibly even getting keys for decrypting streams. I doubt they want anyone hijacking a video stream. I also expect to see video shifting to region specific commercials. After all, why charge just one person for a commercial timeslot, when you can charge hundreds or thousands, each for their own local audience; more if they want national.
For my part, as someone who used to run a small edge network, what I wonder is this: is there a multicast repeater daemon of some sort, where I can put it on my edge, and have it catch any source requested by an inside user and re-multicast it to my LAN, so that my uplink isn't loaded by multiple connections?
If it's actual multicast, it should be there already. I've seen a few interesting daemons for taking unicast and splitting it out, though. Buddy had a little perl script setup with replay-tv which allowed a master connection who could control the replay-tv, and then all other connections were view only. Was simple and cute.
Or do I need to take the Multicast class again? :-)
I sure as hell need to read up again. I keep getting sidetracked with other things. Perhaps after I wrap up the IPv6 rollout, I can get back to Multicast support. I believe most of my NSPs support it, I just never have time to iron out the details to a level I'm comfortable enough to risk my production routers.
Jack