Windows Server 2008 : Configuring Windows Media Services (part 2) - Installing Streaming Media Services

Installing Streaming Media Services

Windows Media Services is an optional role server that must be downloaded and installed from Microsoft. You can find the appropriate download package by browsing to http://www.microsoft.com/downloads and searching for Windows Media Services for Windows Server 2008. The site will provide information about installing the Streaming Media Services server role using Server Manager. To begin the process, open Server Manager, right-click Roles, and select Add Roles. The Streaming Media Services role will appear in the list. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. Adding the Streaming Media Services server role by using Server Manager

The Streaming Media Services Role includes the following role services:

• Windows Media Server This option installs the basic Windows Media Services service and the Windows Media Services console. You must select this option to be able to stream audio and video to clients from the local server.

• Web-Based Administration Windows Media Services also includes an optional Web-based configuration and management Web site that provides the same functionality as the default Windows Media Services console. This component requires the Web Server (IIS) server role to be enabled on the local computer.

• Logging Agent This component works with Web servers to capture information about audio and video streams. It requires the Web Server (IIS) server role. If you install it on the same computer as the Windows Media Services role service, you will need to change the HTTP port the Default Web Site or the Logging Agent uses to avoid a binding conflict.

The Select Data Transfer Protocols page provides options for which protocols will be enabled by default. If you have previously installed the Web Server (IIS) server role and have a Web server that is bound to HTTP port 80, you will be unable to select the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) option. (See Figure 2.) You will be able to reconfigure and enable HTTP after the role addition process has completed.

Figure 2. Configuring data transfer protocol settings for the Streaming Media Service server role

In addition to these role services, the Windows Media Services console provides features for testing access to content by using Windows Media Player. To make Windows Media Player available for use, you must install the Desktop Experience feature, using Server Manager. This feature is optional, however, and is not necessary if you do not plan to test media streaming on the local computer running Windows Server 2008.

After you have installed the Streaming Media Services server role on the computer, you can use Server Manager to view additional details. To do this, expand the Roles object and select Streaming Media Services. (See Figure 3.) Any errors that have been written to the Windows event logs are displayed in the Events section. The Resources And Support section provides numerous recommendations related to the configuration and deployment of streaming media.

Figure 3. Viewing information about Streaming Media Services in Server Manager