On Sun, 2008-04-13 at 07:43 +0300, Brian Butterworth wrote: > > > On 12/04/2008, Michael <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Saturday 12 April 2008 05:57:49 Brian Butterworth wrote: > > If it were all doing using HTTP it would be easily cached, > of course, as > > you can do this with a proxy server, either a configured-in > one as used on > > corporate and educational networks, or as a transparent > proxy. > > Ignores the fact that most caches will not cache objects over > a certain size. > (The maximum usually based on average object size, which is > dominated by > small images and HTML). Also it depends on the purpose the > cache is there > for - speed or bandwidth savings, and even then you still need > a maximum, it's > just where you set it which will vary. > > Every proxy server I have set-up allows you to configure this! There > is no reason whatsoever that large files cannot be cached, and even > part-retrieved. > > If this is really a problem, then you could set up a server for each > ISP with the files copied on their network with the Iplayer software > being redirected to the fastest file when available. > > So, if you watch a programme on a BT (Phorm! boo, hiss) ISP line, you > get the stream from iplayer.btinternet.com, on talktalk from > iplayer.talktalk.com etc. > > If we are talking of saving the ISPs the billions of pounds they claim > it cannot be beyond the wit of us programmes can it? >
NTL used to run invisible proxies throughout their network, however it caused many problems. Since they changed to Virgin Media they have now removed all these proxies from their network. It adds an additional link in the chain that can fail. In the past i have had problems accessing content when the proxy i was assigned to had problems and was failing to return pages. Other problems are the majority of proxies available will not cache proper streamed content, so this talk of using proxies would be pointless. The alternative is taking the Akamai idea a step further and adding distribution servers in the exchanges, but it has already been pointed out that this is not possible with the current IP Stream product. None of these solutions are scalable or useful for any other content provider. What happens when ITV catchup, 4od or any other service becomes popular to the same level as iPlayer. The best solution is the industry hassles Ofcom and then get transit fees reduced by BT to reasonable levels. Adam - Sent via the backstage.bbc.co.uk discussion group. To unsubscribe, please visit http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/archives/2005/01/mailing_list.html. Unofficial list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
