Question - Relay and Broadcast Servers

dcpaq2 · 11th February 2010, 19:34

Hello Group,

With Shoutcast servers, What is the difference between a Relay server and a Broadcast server?

Thanks much

Doug

dotme · 11th February 2010, 20:28

Broadcast server = the server you connect your encoder to.

Relay server = servers that connect to broadcast servers and repeat the signal (usually for added capacity)

Brutish Sailor · 11th February 2010, 20:58

true.

If your talking about automation stations, I (and I know Im not the only one that does it) will incorrectly call the streaming server the broadcast server, and the broadcast server the relay server where everyone is connecting to.

This is incorrect, dotme is 100% correct on this, but if you heard this term from someone using a remote server automation, this might be what they are talking about.

Brutish Sailor · 11th February 2010, 21:06

(Double post)

dcpaq2 · 11th February 2010, 21:42

Thanks for the replies, Nope has nothing to do with automation stations. Just asking what the difference is between the two, there is some confusion based on what someone is telling me and I just want to check here with you guys before I go any further with discussions with the person, using or mentioning the word "relay" sets him off.

What I am trying to do is take a remote audio feed that would be connected to a slow dsl or cable connection and forward the audio to another shoutcast server that resides on a much faster connection like say an OC3 at a datacenter so that many listerners can connect at the same time to that audio feed without affecting the listening quality or bogging down the remote locations internet connection. The guy I am talking to is currently doing this. I feel that I understand how all this works but trying to communicate the right terminology to him is a bit hard and I think because of this he doesnt think I understand how it works.

I am fairly new to Shoutcast and Winamp but have successfully setup a feed but I am still learning. I would like to ask if someone could please explain in detail the differences between the two (Relay and Broadcast) that a beginner can understand. I am not good with abbreviations and etc that an expert would already know.

Thanks much

Doug

dotme · 11th February 2010, 21:51

Home broadcaster using Winamp/Encoder -> Shoutcast server in Data Center -> Listeners

That's a pretty standard config for what you're describing, and no "relay" would be necessary. The feed would be sent over the 'net to a Shoutcast server in a datacenter, where listeners connect to listen to it.

Only one stream leaves the user's location, regardless of how many listeners connect to the shoutcast server. Does this help?

I wouldn't get too hung up on terms/names for things. At the end of the day, all that really matters is a setup that works.

Brutish Sailor · 11th February 2010, 21:52

what you desire Doug is offered regularly as a service.

I would recommend broadcastingworld or radiotoolbox for a list of host.

11th February 2010, 19:34	#1
dcpaq2 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	Question - Relay and Broadcast Servers Hello Group, With Shoutcast servers, What is the difference between a Relay server and a Broadcast server? Thanks much Doug

11th February 2010, 20:28	#2
dotme Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,994	Broadcast server = the server you connect your encoder to. Relay server = servers that connect to broadcast servers and repeat the signal (usually for added capacity) Atlantic Sound Factory Licensed by LoudCity since 2005 \| Hosted by Fast Serv Stream Hosting

11th February 2010, 20:58	#3
Brutish Sailor Major Dude Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 978	true. If your talking about automation stations, I (and I know Im not the only one that does it) will incorrectly call the streaming server the broadcast server, and the broadcast server the relay server where everyone is connecting to. This is incorrect, dotme is 100% correct on this, but if you heard this term from someone using a remote server automation, this might be what they are talking about. http://www.youtube.com/user/BrutishSail0r I follow Dave St. John's swag, Like this if my videos help: http://www.facebook.com/casterhub

11th February 2010, 21:06	#4
Brutish Sailor Major Dude Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 978	(Double post) http://www.youtube.com/user/BrutishSail0r I follow Dave St. John's swag, Like this if my videos help: http://www.facebook.com/casterhub

11th February 2010, 21:51	#6
dotme Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,994	Home broadcaster using Winamp/Encoder -> Shoutcast server in Data Center -> Listeners That's a pretty standard config for what you're describing, and no "relay" would be necessary. The feed would be sent over the 'net to a Shoutcast server in a datacenter, where listeners connect to listen to it. Only one stream leaves the user's location, regardless of how many listeners connect to the shoutcast server. Does this help? I wouldn't get too hung up on terms/names for things. At the end of the day, all that really matters is a setup that works. Atlantic Sound Factory Licensed by LoudCity since 2005 \| Hosted by Fast Serv Stream Hosting

11th February 2010, 21:42	#5
dcpaq2 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies, Nope has nothing to do with automation stations. Just asking what the difference is between the two, there is some confusion based on what someone is telling me and I just want to check here with you guys before I go any further with discussions with the person, using or mentioning the word "relay" sets him off. What I am trying to do is take a remote audio feed that would be connected to a slow dsl or cable connection and forward the audio to another shoutcast server that resides on a much faster connection like say an OC3 at a datacenter so that many listerners can connect at the same time to that audio feed without affecting the listening quality or bogging down the remote locations internet connection. The guy I am talking to is currently doing this. I feel that I understand how all this works but trying to communicate the right terminology to him is a bit hard and I think because of this he doesnt think I understand how it works. I am fairly new to Shoutcast and Winamp but have successfully setup a feed but I am still learning. I would like to ask if someone could please explain in detail the differences between the two (Relay and Broadcast) that a beginner can understand. I am not good with abbreviations and etc that an expert would already know. Thanks much Doug

11th February 2010, 21:52	#7
Brutish Sailor Major Dude Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 978	what you desire Doug is offered regularly as a service. I would recommend broadcastingworld or radiotoolbox for a list of host. http://www.youtube.com/user/BrutishSail0r I follow Dave St. John's swag, Like this if my videos help: http://www.facebook.com/casterhub

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