Rich Media Server - Introduction

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 18:48 — admin

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This article provides a quick overview on Streamezzo Rich Media Server, a software resident on a server infrastructure for developing easy-to-maintain, easy-to-upgrade and cross-platform Rich Media Applications. Rich Media Server is based on the JEE extensible platform; as such it can benefit from lots of connectors, database plug-ins and content adaptation tools to extend its functionalities. After reading this article you should know the main concepts of Rich Media Server and you should become more familiar with the set of features that are in operation within the Streamezzo runtime.

More information on the Rich Media Server can be obtained on the online documentation.

Role of the Rich Media Server

Rich Media Server is part of the Streamezzo Runtime. It provides a uniform and optimized interface to the Rich Media Client that runs the Rich Media Application. It can act as the main entry point for Rich Media Applications towards any information system (remote database, back-end systems, CMS, etc.).

To develop Rich Media Applications that can be updated and maintained continuously, the Rich Media developers shall use Rich Media Server as the runtime of the dynamic parts of the Rich Media Application. Rich Media Server is in charge of retrieving the application contents (images, texts... any information), adapting them to the client specificities and delivering them in the most optimized way to the end-user's device.

Thanks to Rich Media Server, Rich Media Applications management is made easier. Rich Media developers get one way to add, remove and update applications available for your subscribers. A single Rich Media Server may host as many applications as wished. Each application will become compatible with a large range of devices using the same application code. Rich Media Applications are deployed into Rich Media Server from Workbench Developer via a simple wizard.

The Rich Media Server is highly efficient and robust software: reliable, available and scalable so it can run first on a light configuration and then being upgraded while traffic increases, without any denial of service. No need for the Rich Media developer to be an expert in high-availability platforms, the Rich Media Server is easy to install and easy to upgrade.

From Mobile TV Program Guide to App Store, Rich Media Server is connecting subscribers to carrier class content providers providing the best experience for each device.

Rich Media Runtime Operations

Streamezzo Rich Media Runtime is composed of the Rich Media Client and the Rich Media Server. Client and Server exchange data using HTTP protocol. On one hand, the Rich Media Client ensures that the Application can be executed on the largest range of devices. On the other hand the Rich Media Server ensures that the Application performs the following:

get up-to-date rich media content (build dynamically by Rich Media Server on Rich Media Client request)
retrieve information from data back-ends (media assets from content providers, TV program guide and so on)
get updated as soon as the global service has been modified
notify information system about any significant event from end-user interactions (i.e. user authentication, billing operation)

Read more on Streamezzo Rich Media Server Framework here.