Flash Media Server

Using Flash Media Server Edge Servers > Using Edge and Origin Servers > Introducing edge servers > Deploying a cluster of edge servers > Setting up origin and proxy servers

Setting up origin and proxy servers

Use the following guidelines as you install and configure the origin and proxy servers. Using these guidelines helps ensure satisfactory performance and results:

• Make sure your Macromedia license permits you to use proxy servers or a proxy cluster.
• Deploy all proxy and origin servers on identical computers.
• Use the same operating system (Linux or Windows) on all computers to avoid conflicts with filenames.

  Linux uses case-sensitive filenames; filenames on Windows are case-insensitive.

• Install Flash Media Server on the first server.
• Configure this instance of Flash Media Server as an origin server.
• Install and configure Flash Media Server on all of the edge or proxy servers that your license permits.
• Make sure the fms.ini file is customized on each origin and proxy.

  The fms.ini file is machine-specific.

• Configure the origin server to listen on one port; you can configure proxies to listen on one or multiple ports.
• Verify that all proxies can access the origin server.
• Locate the origin server and those edge servers nearest to it on the same subnet.
• If you are licensed to deploy a cluster, make sure all proxies in the cluster are configured identically.
  • Configure the conf directory on one proxy.
  • Place a copy of this conf directory in the same location on the other proxies.
• Use a load balancer when you deploy more than one proxy.
  • Place the load balancer between the clients and the proxies.
  • Configure the balancer to access the proxies in round-robin mode.
  • Do not place the load balancer immediately before the origin server.

To set up a cluster of edge servers:

1. Install and configure the first Flash Media Server.

   Use the same serial number and license file each time you install Flash Media Server.

   NOTE

   A special cluster license file is required. For more information, contact your Macromedia representative.

2. Confirm that this Flash Media Server instance is working correctly.
3. Configure the Flash Media Server instance as an origin server.
4. Install and configure the next Flash Media Server in the cluster.
5. Configure this Flash Media Server instance as an edge server.
6. Make sure this edge server points to the origin server.
7. Repeat steps 5 through 7 for each edge server that your license file allows.

Your Flash Media Servers are now clustered. To expand the cluster's capacity, you may add new edge servers, if your license permits, to the cluster and configure them by following these instructions.