on 9/27/01 10:51 PM, -e. wrote:
> I have questions regarding how I might set up my G4 to be a streaming server
> through a DSL line (esp. since there are two other computers that need to
> share the connection). Here's where I'm coming from:
>
> I am a newcomer to QT streaming server, but planning on streaming video and
> audio from my G4 running OS X (not OS X Server). My main problem is figuring
> out how to connect and share one measly DSL connection.
>
> A business DSL line from Earthlink starts at $130 a month, and that only
> offers download/upload bandwidth at 144Kbps. Even $130 is beyond what myself
> and my two student partners can pay per month. I currently have a $50 per
> month DSL connection (with one static IP) that allows me 128Kbps uploads and
> 1.5 Mbps downloads.
>
> Question #1: Is 128Kbps upload adequate for a streaming server, esp. if some
> of the clients I want to serve have T1 connections and screaming fast G4's?
Not if you'd like to stream to more than a couple of people. I set up a
streaming event for the company I used to work for and ran it off of a
business DSL connection. We were doing more of an experiment than anything
else... this wasn't mission critical, but even with only about 5-7 people
connected it still couldn't keep up. Mind you, there were other factors
involved.
Basic math is all you need. Figure out the bitrate of the streaming movie
and then multiply that by the expected number of connections. Work in a
15-20% contingency and you have a pretty good idea of the amount of
bandwidth required.
ie 100 kbps * 100 connections = 10000 kbps = approx 10 Mbps
I hope that's right, it's late for me :-)
> Question #2: Assuming 128Kbps is adequate, how do I connect my G4 streaming
> server to my DSL router AND still allow my Powerbook and my roommate's Mac
> to share this one connection? Currently we have these three computers
> sharing the DSL through a hub, but once I want to start serving from my G4
> does this prevent the other computers from being able to use the DSL
> connection? And do I need to spend money on another router/switch or will my
> existing hub work?
No reason you can't keep your setup the same AFAIK. Of course, any 'net
activity going on on the other machines will compete with the server for
bandwidth. Running the server does not otherwise affect the other computers
on your LAN.
Hope this helps,
rezEdit
