Cisco FAQ

What is the relationship between Adobe and Cisco?

Adobe Systems and Cisco have entered into a software license agreement to integrate Adobe® Flash® Media Server software into the Cisco Content Delivery System (CDS). This will allow Cisco customers to stream video to the Adobe Flash Player runtime, the most ubiquitous client for online video playback.

This integration is a first of its kind for Adobe and will enhance its video streaming and real-time communication capabilities with deep hardware and software integration to deliver high performance and quality of service to the video consumer.

This strategic OEM relationship with Flash Media Server as an embedded technology is a major step toward a standard video delivery system to multiple screens: personal computers, mobile phones, and television.

What is Adobe Flash Media Server?

Adobe Flash Media Server 3 lets Adobe customers stream live and recorded video and audio to the Flash Player and Adobe AIR™ runtimes and to Adobe Media Player and Adobe Flash Lite™ 3 software using the RTMP protocol and variations for tunneling and encryption. The server is also the base platform for multiway communication solutions.

There are three configurations of the server software:

• Flash Media Streaming Server 3: Basic streaming server that supports live and on-demand video and audio to Flash Player, AIR, Adobe Media Player, and Flash Lite 3.
• Flash Media Interactive Server 3: Streaming server with advanced caching support and APIs for extending base functionality. This server can also support multiway application development.
• Flash Media Development Server 3: Free version of Flash Media Interactive Server, limited to ten connections.

What are the Cisco CDS and Cisco CDS Internet Streamer (CDS-IS)?

Cisco CDS is a network-based solution that incorporates TV streaming applications for content delivery to digital televisions and set-top boxes and Internet streaming applications for content delivery to IP devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, and handhelds. Cisco CDS-IS technology provides customers with a comprehensive solution to create a content delivery network (CDN) themselves.

CDS-IS incorporates four main functions:

Content ingest and distribution	Capture existing content from the Internet or published sources. Quickly adjust to changes in content demand through dynamic ingest of content in real time and by preingesting popular content before it is needed. Automatically cache popular content for scalable distribution to a large number of users.
Service routing	Intercept playback requests and deliver content using a readily available streaming device. Benefit from systemwide health checks, load threshold, and proximity to the end user. Easily implement custom business rules such as geographic filters and cross-platform advertising.
Ubiquitous content delivery	Deliver both streaming and progressive download. Deliver multiformat streaming including Flash, Windows® Media, and QuickTime. Support codecs including H.264, VC-1 (WMV), and On2VP6 (FLV). Dynamically fetch content from other devices in the system as required.

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Why is this partnership important?

Service providers, broadcasters, and enterprises will benefit from a comprehensive, turnkey streaming solution across all major streaming platforms that integrates easily with their current network infrastructure.

For customers

Enterprises, service providers, and broadcasters choose video streaming to Flash because it works virtually everywhere, and it's protected. Cisco CDS supports all top media formats Cross-platform video distribution (Mac OS, Windows, and Linux®) Cross-device (browser, desktop, and mobile devices) Massive scalability — service can be offered to millions faster and with reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) New level of resiliency through load balancing content requests among CDS streamers Integrated solution, instead of isolated block offerings requiring extensive customization to integrate with customers' network infrastructures Worldwide around-the-clock support in addition to Day 1 and Day 2 services for emergencies Increased confidence to deploy CDNs themselves with the Adobe and Cisco partnership

Adobe created a platform for media delivery to Flash Player, the most pervasive and ubiquitous video player in the industry today. With CDS, Cisco can offer content owners a larger audience by expanding scalability and resiliency, enhancing time to market, and reducing TCO for customers.

Who is the target customer for the Cisco CDS?

Customers will have a common goal to deliver video on demand or live video solutions either internally or externally to help their business or business processes.

Target customers for the Cisco CDS Internet Streamer application include:

Broadcasters

Enterprise

Service providers

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Which version of Flash Media Server will Cisco ship with its offering?

Flash Media Server version 3.0.1 will be included in the Cisco CDS-IS application. Get more information on Flash Media Server.

Will Cisco CDS support live video streaming?

Yes. Live streaming will be supported with all the primary codecs, including VP6, H.264, and AAC. Live video can be streamed from the following sources:

• Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder software
• Adobe partners that support the RTMP protocol

How will Cisco package Flash Media Server with its solutions?

Every Cisco CDS-IS application will ship with a base level of streaming video to Flash, enabling up to or the lesser of 200 simultaneous Flash video streams or 200Mbps of bandwidth. Customers can purchase a premium Flash upgrade license from Cisco for additional streaming needs. The premium upgrade can be purchased at the time of the initial purchase of CDS-IS or at a later date. These licenses are perpetual in nature and can not be used in multitenancy scenarios.

As an alternative to the base level and premium upgrade, Cisco customers also have the option of purchasing a Wholesale License of CDS-IS that would allow them to make CDS-IS available to their end user customers on a wholesale basis or multitenancy basis. These licenses are term based (for example, valid for one year). At the end of the license term, the customer will need to renew the capability by repurchasing the license based on the streaming bandwidth needs or else discontinue use of the solution.

When will the integrated solution be available from Cisco?

Immediately. The Cisco CDS supporting video streaming to Flash is available now to customers worldwide.

Does CDS-IS work with Adobe Flash Media Encoder for live streaming?

Yes. There is full support of live streaming of H.264, On2, Sorenson Video and AAC v2, MP3, and Nellymoser audio.

Does CDS-IS work with Adobe Media Player?

Yes. There is full support for both streaming and download and play for Adobe Media Player.

Does CDS-IS support the RTMPE (Encrypted) protocol?

Yes. There is full support of all protocols including RTMPE (Encrypted) plus RTMP, RTMPT (Tunneling), and RTMPS (Encrypted protocol using SSL). The RTMPE protocol enables customers to protect their content by encrypting the delivery channel in real time. This operation works in both live and on-demand delivery.

Does CDS-IS support SWF verification?

Yes. Full support for SWF verification is available to help protect SWF files that stream video. This feature allows content owners to share video players using social networks and to protect monetization features such as advertising.

Does CDS-IS work with Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server?

Yes. CDS works with FLV files encrypted with Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server software.

Can CDS-IS serve content to mobile phones running Flash Lite?

Yes.

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