A Guide to Transitioning From an SDI Television Production System to Video Over IP - Part Two - Assessing Network Readiness

Assessing network readiness is crucial when transitioning from SDI to Video over IP to ensure that the infrastructure can handle the specific demands of broadcast-quality video streaming. Chances are that your current network will not support your Video Over IP needs. In my case, I have a very large SDI system to convert, so I Know that sufficient bandwidth is going to be an issue. If your network is currently part of a corporate or office network, you may want to consider separating your media network away from the primary office network. This may require a separate firewall and internet bandwidth connection. Here are the key areas and steps involved in assessing network readiness:

1. Network Capacity and Bandwidth

Bandwidth Requirements: Calculate the total bandwidth needed based on the number and type of video streams. Each video stream, depending on its format (HD, 4K, etc.), can require a significant amount of bandwidth. For instance, uncompressed 1080p video at 60 fps can require around 3 Gbps, and 4K video at 60 fps might require around 12 Gbps.

Bandwidth Availability: Assess current network bandwidth and compare it with the requirements. This includes both the backbone network and the last-mile connectivity to the devices.

2. Quality of Service (QoS)

Prioritization: Ensure that the network supports QoS settings to prioritize video traffic, which is critical for avoiding packet loss and maintaining stream quality.

Traffic Shaping: Implement traffic shaping policies to manage bandwidth allocation effectively and prevent network congestion.

3. Network Architecture and Design

Switching Infrastructure: Evaluate if current switches and routers are suitable for high bandwidth and low latency operations. Layer 3 switches with deep packet buffers are often recommended.

Segmentation: Consider segmenting video traffic from other types of data to reduce congestion and enhance performance.

4. Latency and Jitter

Latency Requirements: Check the current network latency and ensure it meets the low-latency requirements essential for real-time video production. Typically, latency should be below 1 millisecond for local network traffic.

Jitter Measurement: Measure the jitter within the network to ensure video streams will be stable and consistent.

5. Redundancy and Reliability

Network Redundancy: Plan for redundant network paths and automatic failover mechanisms to ensure high availability and uptime, critical in broadcast environments.

Failover Testing: Conduct tests to see how the network handles failures in active equipment or pathways to ensure continuous service.

6. Security

Vulnerability Assessment: Analyze the network for potential security vulnerabilities, especially since video streams can be high-value targets for interception or disruption.

Security Protocols: Ensure that encryption and secure authentication methods are in place for protecting video streams.

7. Compliance and Standards

Standard Compliance: Verify that the network hardware and configuration comply with industry standards like SMPTE ST 2110 for professional media over managed IP networks.

8. Monitoring Tools and Services

Network Monitoring: Implement or upgrade network monitoring tools that can handle real-time traffic analysis, bandwidth usage, and performance metrics specific to video streams.

9. Pilot Testing

Test Deployment: Before full deployment, set up a pilot project involving a few IP-based video streams to evaluate the network's performance in real conditions and to refine any needed adjustments.

Conducting a thorough network readiness assessment helps identify areas that need upgrading or modification before fully transitioning to Video over IP, thereby ensuring a smooth and efficient migration from SDI.