Configuring Proxy Settings
A
Windows Media Services server can also proxy requests from clients to
reduce the load on the origin server. The Proxy tab includes settings
for three modes of proxy options. They are:
Proxy
This is the default proxy functionality in which the server presents
content to clients. The server appears to the client as the same
computer as the origin Windows Media Services server.
Proxy Redirect
This option specifies that client requests should be redirected to
another proxy server located on the network. It is most often used in
load-balancing configurations when you want to redirect all users to a
specific server that has available content.
Reverse Proxy
A reverse proxy redirects incoming requests to a specific publishing
point. The reverse proxy server verifies authentication for the user and
then requests the content from the origin server.
Overall, by using proxy servers, you can increase the scalability of a Windows Media Services server content distribution point.
Configuring Cache/Proxy Settings for Publishing Points
After you have enabled and
configured Cache/Proxy Management settings on the appropriate servers,
you can use Windows Media Services to configure caching settings. To do
this, select a publishing point, and then click the Properties tab. The
Cache/Proxy category will include properties for determining how
information can be cached. For broadcast-based publication points, the
available setting is the Stream Splitting Expiration. This represents
the amount of time the content can be accessed before it must
communicate with the origin server to check for content updates. The
Cache Expiration property has the same effect for on-demand publishing
points. The default setting for both is 86,400 seconds (24 hours).
Monitoring Proxy/Cache Servers
The Windows Media
Services console includes two objects within the Cache/Proxy Management
section. These objects are used for monitoring the current performance
and usage of proxy services. The Cache/Proxy On-Demand and Cache/Proxy
Broadcast sections show information based on the type of publication
point on the origin server. You can manage these settings independently.
For example, you can deny new connections for on-demand content while
still allowing new clients to access broadcast streams. The Monitor tab
provides performance statistics and configuration information. (See Figure 37.)
You can also
configure settings for both types of cache/proxy points on the
Properties tab. As with publishing points, you can configure categories
such as Authorization, Authentication, and Limits.
Protecting Media by Using DRM
Organizations
that provide valuable content to their users need to ensure that the
information is used as it was intended. For example, if a user is able
to save a copy of a video file on her computer, she should be restricted
from sending it to other users or posting it on a Web site without the
permission of the content provider. Digital Rights Management (DRM)
enables content providers and content authors to limit the distribution
of their information. You can protect content by several methods.
Using a Third-Party DRM Partner
Windows Media
Services provides an extensible architecture that enables you to add
plug-ins easily to provide DRM functionality. These plug-ins are
available from third-party organizations that specialize in content
protection. For more information about these organizations, visit the
Microsoft Windows Media DRM Partners Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/drm/9series/providers.aspx.
Using Active Directory Rights Management Services
Windows Server 2008 includes a server role called Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS).
This server role allows a computer running Windows Server 2008 to issue
licenses for creating and protecting content such as media files and
documents. To use this infrastructure, content creation applications
must be compatible with RMS. Compatible applications include Microsoft
Office System 2003 and Microsoft Office 2007. You can also use RMS
features through Internet Explorer. For more information about AD RMS,
search for Active Directory Rights Management on the Microsoft TechNet
Web site at http://technet.microsoft.com.
Other Content Protection Methods
There are also other
methods of protecting digital audio and video content. For example, you
can implement Web-based authentication and authorization to ensure that
only registered users are permitted to access the content. You can also
use network security devices such as firewalls to prevent direct access
to content files. Overall, the goal of DRM involves several components
that must be configured to ensure that only authorized users can access
and use content.
