Digital Island's fault-tolerant server network currently has hundreds of machines designed to operate efficiently even in surge conditions such as Webcasts. Robust management reporting tools are included, from which detailed statistics flow in near realtime, all in the name of optimal network management. The playing field Akamai and Digital Island certainly are not the only players with good technology and established alternative networks. Like Sandpiper, iBeam was one of the original players in this industry. Mirror Image is notable for how it works within its parent's huge meta-ISP universe.
Competition is fierce.
Such tools will be essential for making sense of the content distribution space and allowing Web media producers to work productively within it. The picture is bright for these services that enable reliable delivery of rich con- tent over the Web. Demand is growing exponentially, and the players are beginning to integrate new features, such as user profiling, custom ad insertion, e-commerce functions, and live streaming media events. Soon, Web producers should be able to concentrate only on site development, leaving the serving and distribution headaches to the pros.