APPLICATION NOTE

Deploying The All-IP Studio Today
Migrate your legacy broadcast infrastructure to IP

IP-BASED STUDIO SYSTEMS

Unified IP SwitchedInfrastructure:•Offers an optimized methodof handling streams and files
simultaneously in a unified IP
switched infrastructure

Switching that Mimics
Baseband Infrastructure:•The Media Links IP router & switch
solutions provide granular stream
switching that mimics traditional
baseband video infrastructure

Independent Routing &Switching:•Each signal in a system can berouted independently in a fully
enabled, multi-cast controlledenvironment allowing for an ‘any toany’ combination of outputs throughthe switch fabric

Switch Thousands ofSignals:•Literally thousands of signals can becontrolled and switched through afully configured Media Links system capacity of the switch is limited onlyby bandwidth

Huge quantities of ink and pixels have been spent extolling the virtuesof an all-IP infrastructure for a modern media production facility such asa broadcast studio or and IPTV head-end. Today, Media links is one ofthe only companies in the world that has successfully installed complete,
IP-based studio systems for global clients. By integrating all of the video,audio and data flows onto a common platform, huge up-front savings andcontinuing cost reductions can be realized.
The primary advantage of an IP-based system is the convergence ofmultiple signal formats onto a comprehensive, distributed IP switch fabricthat seamlessly transports kilobit-speed data signals alongside multigigabit uncompressed video flows. Media production facilities benefit by
not having to purchase, install, manage, or maintain the multiple signal
routing systems that are normally required to switch different typesof compressed and uncompressed audio. A converged IP backbone
dramatically increases system flexibility, allowing new applications, bitrates, and signal formats to be added to the core switching platform
merely by adding a new type of interface card.
Media Links offers an optimized method of handling streams and files
simultaneously in a unified IP switched infrastructure.
The Media Links IP video router provides granular stream switchingthat mimics traditional baseband video infrastructure, where sub 16ms
connection setup/teardown times are achieved when configuring paths
through the system.
This is a vast improvement over traditional stored control systems
implemented on standard enterprise or carrier data routers.
Each of the signals can be routed independently in a fully enabled, multicast controlled environment allowing for an ‘any to any’ combination ofoutputs through the switch fabric. Capacity of the switch is limited only bybandwidth, not by the total number of signals. This allows a single 10GbE
port to handle up to six uncompressed HD signals, 30 SD-SDI signals, 90
100Mb DVB-ASI streams or any combination totaling the 10GbE rate limit.
Literally thousands of signals can be controlled and switched through afully configured Media Links system, far exceeding the capacity of eventhe largest cross-point video router.

APPLICATION NOTE

Broadcasting stations have been distributing and exchanging content mainly as SDI signals. With the move toward SMPTE
2022 video over IP standards and file-based broadcasting workflows, broadcasters are looking for ways to handle streams
and files in a unified manner. By leveraging Ethernet to act as the unified core switching fabric, broadcasters and service
providers are able to maximize footprint, power and future proof IP switching technology.

APPLICATION NOTE

Mixed Signal Type & Input Aggregator
Below is an example of how native SDI sources are translated to SMPTE 2022-1/2 and -5/6 IP signals, which provide thegateway between the legacy baseband environment and today’s next generation IP routing capabilities. As broadcasters andservice providers continue to transition away from the world of baseband, the Media Links IP Switching Solution is designed
from the start to handle native baseband signal types and seamlessly transition towards an IP media flow.
PRIMARY MD8000EX
IRD PORT AGGREGATORS

240 GbE Redundent Non-Blocking
Layer 2 Ethernet Switches

PS 1PS 284
IP Streams

1 x 10GbE LinkTO PRIMARY MDX2040
CORE SWITCHING SYSTEM

84PrimaryIRDs

1 GbE Control and Monitoring Network
1 x 10 GbE Spare

ACTIVE STANDBY MD8000EX
IRD PORT AGGREGATORSPS 1PS 284
IP Streams

1 x 10GbE Link

84
StandbyIRDs

1 GbE
1 x 10 GbE Spare

IP STREAM ANALYZER

TO ACTIVE STANDBY MDX2040
CORE SWITCHING SYSTEMAPPLICATION NOTE

Uncompressed HD-SDI signals are multiplexed into a single stream of 10Gbps packets, whereby the packets are duplicatedand fed into IP video routers, which switch them to specified destinations. The MD8000EX can act as a single signal
aggregator for Video over IP and legacy DVB-ASI and all SDI formats to IP encapsulation. The key feature is the ability totranslate the same level of resiliency and reliability that has been standard in the industry to an all Video over IP solution.
In comparison to the mixed signal environment, the IPTV Cable Head-End signals are currently delivered as MPEG2TS over IPvia Satellite. Today’s integrated Satellite receivers / decoders (IRDs) supports both a baseband DVB-ASI and MPEG2TS overIP (SMPTE 2022-1/2) hand-off. By leveraging the high density and small footprint of Media Links Layer 2/3 IP switches, the IRD
aggregation solution is scalable and supports over 288 MPEG2TS 81Mb IP streams in a 6RU footprint. Each of these streams
can be multiplexed over diverse 10GbE links to primary and standby core IP switches. The need to support both primary andsecondary IRD’s allows for a fully diverse system. As the signals are individually routed and transmitted to the primary and‘active standby’ core IP Switch, any stream can be switched to IP stream monitor ports to verify signal integrity throughout thesystem.
PRIMARY MDX48GBE
IRD PORT AGGREGATORS

288
IP Streams

6 x 10GbE LinkTO PRIMARY MDX2040
CORE SWITCHING SYSTEM

288
PrimaryIRDs

1 GbE Control and Monitoring Network

ACTIVE STANDBY MDX48GBE
IRD PORT AGGREGATORS

288
IP Streams

6 x 10GbE Link

288
Standby
IRDs

1 GbE

IP STREAM ANALYZER

TO ACTIVE STANDBY MDX2040
CORE SWITCHING SYSTEMAPPLICATION NOTEDistributed Architecture
The diagram below highlights the ‘end to end’ connection points. A distributed architecture is achievable not only from theinternal workings of a Broadcast or IPTV plant, but also from across a regional or national network. It provides the inherent
benefits of utilizing low latency, jitter-free IP transmission to interconnect all of the local and remote locations, while still
maintaining a single IP switch presence for managing streams across the entire network deployment.

PRIMARY MD8000EX
ENCODER PORT AGGREGATOR #1

PRIMARY MDX48GBE
GIGABIT LAYER 2PORT AGGREGATOR SWITCHES
48
IP Streams

PRIMARY SWITCH #1

1 x 10GbE Links

2 x 10GbE Links

48
IP Streams

PRIMARY SWITCH #2

2 x 10GbE Links

48
IP Streams

PRIMARY SWITCH #3

2 x 10GbE Links

PRIMARY
MDX2040
CORE SWITCHING

PRIMARY SWITCH #4

1 x 10GbE Links
PRIMARY ENCODERS
1-84

PRIMARY MD8000EX
ENCODER PORT AGGREGATOR #2160 Gb Interconnect

48
IP Streams

80
IP Streams

1 x 10GbE Links
80
IP Streams
1 x 10GbE Links

2 x 10GbE Links

PRIMARY ENCODERS
85-168PRIMARY IRD’s
1-192

1 GbE Control and Monitoring Network

STANDBY MD8000EX
ENCODER PORT AGGREGATOR #1

STANDBY MDX48GBE
GIGABIT LAYER 2PORT AGGREGATOR SWITCHES
48
IP Streams

STANDBY SWITCH #1

1 x 10GbE Links

2 x 10GbE Links

48
IP Streams

STANDBY SWITCH #2

2 x 10GbE Links

48
IP Streams

STANDBY SWITCH #3

2 x 10GbE Links

ACTIVE STANDBYMDX2040
CORE SWITCHING

STANDBY IRD’s
1-192

STANDBY SWITCH #4

1 x 10GbE Links

STANDBY ENCODERS
1-84

STANDBY MD8000EX
ENCODER PORT AGGREGATOR #2160 Gb Interconnect

48IP Streams

80
IP Streams

1 x 10GbE Links
80
IP Streams
1 x 10GbE Links

2 x 10GbE Links

1 GbE

IP STREAM ANALYZER

STANDBY ENCODERS
85-168APPLICATION NOTE

Encoder Aggregation
Independent MPEG2TS over IP streams are switched from the primary and standby IRD Aggregators through the primary andstandby core switches and then presented to the Encoder Aggregator at the egress of the network. Signal and route diversity
is maintained across the entire solution and simple addressing of individual streams allow for management of the uniquestreams.
PRIMARY MD8000EXSTREAM ENCODER
PORT AGGREGATORPRIMARY MD8000EXIRD PORT AGGREGATOR

68
Primary
IRDs

PRIMARY MD2040
CORE SWITCH

68
HD-SDIChannels

10 GbE Layer 2 Ethernet Switches
PS 1PS 260
HD-SDIChannels

6 x 10GbE Links

6 x 10GbE Links
160 GbInterconnect

6 x 10GbE Links

60
Primary
Encoders

1 GbE Control and Monitoring Network

ACTIVE STANDBY MD8000EXSTREAM ENCODER
PORT AGGREGATOR
PS 1

STANDBY MD8000EX
IRD PORT AGGREGATOR

68
StandbyIRDs

68
HD-SDIChannels

STANDBY MD2040
CORE SWITCH
6 x 10GbE Links

6 x 10GbE Links
6 x 10GbE Links

PS 260HD-SDIChannels
60StandbyEncoders

1 GbE

IP STREAM ANALYZERAPPLICATION NOTE

Protection Switching
In the application diagram below, the MD8000EX acting as an encoder aggregator is designed with diverse 10Gb links andis able to seamlessly switch between 84 individual IP streams in the event of an IRD failure or service interruption along theprimary signal path. The stream selection process is performed at the MD8000EX receive module by either a fully integrated
MPEG2TS decoder or 10/100/1000BaseT egress port, and is capable of supporting sub 16ms switchover times between theprimary and standby IP stream.
PRIMARY MD8000EX
TRANSCODER PORTAGGREGATOR

IRD 1
PRIMARY(On Line)

Stream line select based on stream presence

PRIMARY
PRIMARY
IRD PORT
CORE SWITCHMPEG2TS Over IP
AGGREGATOR Dest MAC ‘A’ VLAN 1

ENCODER 1
PRIMARY
MPEG2TS Over IP(On Line)
Dest MAC ‘A’

L1 Packet MAC ‘A’ in VLAN 1IRD 1
STANDBY(Off Line)

L1 Packet MAC ‘A’ in VLAN 2

MPEG2TS Over IP
STANDBY
Dest MAC ‘A’ VLAN 2
STANDBY
IRD PORT
CORE SWITCHAGGREGATOR

10 Gb
FiberModules

Layer 2 HD/SDI
Ethernet Module
SwitchMPEG2TS Over IP
Dest MAC ‘A’

ENCODER 1
STANDBY(On Line)

ACTIVE STANDBY
TRANSCODER PORTAGGREGATORMedia Links is Driving Change
Media Links is driving change in the real-time video contribution and distribution space.
We have helped set new standards towards developing advanced video technology and concepts
and are leaders in Ethernet and SONET based solutions for contribution video.
From high profile live events to large scale networks, our solutions have proven themselves
throughout the World.
As the marketplace adopts our approach and technology, we will continue to evolve, deliver newproducts that improve the video experience, bring more value to our customers and set a leadershipstandard in the content industry.

Media Links (Headquarters)
Kawasaki Tech Center 18F
580-16 Horikawa-cho,
Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi,
Kanagawa 212-0013 Japan
Phone: +81 44-589-3440
query@medialinks.co.jp

Media Links Americas
431-C Hayden Station Road
Windsor, CT 06095
USA
Phone: +1 860-206-9163
Fax: +1 860-206-9165
info@medialinks.com

APP-NOTE-IP-SWITCHING-08-2018

Media Links Australia
2-12 Rokeby Street,Collingwood, VIC 3066,
Australia
Phone: +61 3-9017-0175
Fax: +61 3-8456-6339
info@medialinksaustralia.com.au

Media Links EMEA
Suite 18242
PO Box 6945
London W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)20 7096 9569
emea_info@medialinks.com

www.medialinks.com© 2018 Media Links. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.
Media Links and Media Defined Networking are trademarks of Media Links.