Virtualization in broadcast

While a lot has been written about the move to IP, what exactly is virtualization in the broadcast context? In a general sense, virtualization (a term that’s been around in the IT industry for decades) is the creation of something, such as a computer or platform, in a virtual instead of physical sense. It involves the use of software to provide functionality that appears to come from a dedicated device.

In the broadcast context, virtualization can mean one of two things — having equipment that can perform multiple, often varied functions (what Nevion calls media function virtualization), and enabling equipment to be shared more easily, for example between studios or locations (something Nevion calls infrastructure virtualization).

Media function virtualization means that the functionality required, such as media transport and processing, is performed by software rather than hardware. Initially, this software will be running on specialized platforms, but in time “media function virtualization” will involve software apps running on generic IT hardware platforms (essentially high-powered computers). The key point though is that the same hardware can run different functionality, and that functionality can be modified on demand and remotely with the help of a virtualization orchestrator.

Media function virtualization brings savings through reduced hardware replacements, lower space usage, as well as lower cost of training, maintenance and management.

Infrastructure virtualization is a way to enable equipment to be shared more easily for live and file-based production, for example between studios or locations. Equipment sharing is obviously a concept that exists already to some extent in the baseband world. For example, it is possible to route workflows through a piece of signal processing equipment that is shared. However, infrastructure virtualization takes this a step further, by detaching the physical equipment from the production workflow and greatly automating the process. The advent of IP makes this much easier.

Infrastructure virtualization is achieved by using a software management layer (or virtualization orchestrator) to elevate workflows to a level that does not require users to have any understanding of the underlying connectivity of the network and equipment. The orchestrator is intelligent enough to change the network based on information provided by the network itself, so effectively the network topology is software defined. Virtualization provides a better overview of accessible resources across the infrastructure, as well as an easier access to the resources in the network, without need for additional physical setup.

The advent of cloud computing

In time, the virtualization of live production using the cloud will revolutionize the way broadcasters work. For many in the industry, it is inconceivable that cloud technology could be applicable to live production.

Traditional views are that equipment should be owned by the broadcaster, just as it always has been, and situated on the site where it is needed, like a campus. However, with the advent of cloud and virtualization, these assumptions are no longer necessarily true.

The broadcaster’s pooled signal processing and transport equipment (e.g. embedders, encoders, multiplexers) could be owned and managed by a service provider. This is particularly conceivable as functionality moves to software running on generic hardware: pooled equipment would become computers, and service providers are experts in running datacenters.

If the processing and transport equipment is pooled and managed by a service provider, why keep it on-site? After all, the service provider could share some of that functionality with other locations of the broadcaster or even other broadcasters, effectively making the cost of use much lower.

The reality of modern, dedicated networks is that comparatively low latencies can be achieved over considerable distances. This makes it totally possible to locate a live-signal processing datacenter quite some distance away from the broadcasters’ facilities.

Cloud will also make it possible for broadcasters to swap capital expenditure in equipment with operational expenditure in pay-per-use processing services. As well as the flexibility this offers them, it also allows them to line up costs with the expected revenue from content creation.

Furthermore, this concept can also enable broadcasters to offer their equipment as a service to other broadcasters. In this scenario, broadcasters would be service providers, and transform their equipment from costs to revenue.

Conclusion

The broadcast industry is changing at pace and technology is both a driver of that change and an enabler of it. Going forward there will be continued emphasis on adopting IP in more places in the broadcast ecosystem and fully realizing its benefits. This will lay the foundation for other dramatic changes — like virtualization and cloud migration — that will effectively transform the landscape.