Scala 5 Networking Overview

Scala 5 Networking Overview

This white paper presents an overview of the key components and networking considerations associated with typical Scala 5 or YourChannel Standard (powered by Scala) digital signage networks.

White Paper

There are three key components in an average Scala network:

Correlative YourChannel / Scala 5 Designer Digital Signage - Narrowcasting

Role

Allows design and maintenance of InfoChannel display content.

Operating System

Windows XP, Vista, 7

Communicates with

Content Manager

Communicates via

HTTP (TCP port 80 or 8080)

Correlative YourChannel / Scala 5 Content Manager Digital Signage - Narrowcasting

Role

Provides a central repository for all display content, manages scheduling of content, monitors Player health and provides web-based content management system to allow collaborative design of content.

Operating System

Windows Server 2003 / 2008 (recommended) or Windows XP

Communicates with

Users contributing display content, administrators, back-end data sources

Communicates Primarily via

HTTP (TCP port 80 or 8080) - for user and administrative tasks

Communicates with Backend Data Sources (optionally) via

XML, RSS, HTML, FTP, CIFS, others

Correlative YourChannel / Scala 5 Player Digital Signage - Narrowcasting

Role

Directly attached to one or displays. Responsible for playback of display content.

Operating System

Windows XP, Vista, 7

Communicates with

Content Manager

Communicates via

HTTP (TCP port 80 or 8080)

Optimized Network Bandwidth Requirements

Scala minimizes network load by locally caching content at each player. New content is sent once from the Designer to Content Manager. In turn, Content Manager sends this new content once to each player scheduled to play the content. If subsequent changes are made to this content, only the modified elements are resent to the players—not the entire content. e.g. If a template’s message of the day is only changed, only the changed text will be retransmitted.

All Scala digital signage components communicate via standard IP networking standards. Scala can be easily integrated into your existing corporate network or a separate/dedicated Scala network can be deployed.

Configuration	Pros	Cons
Integrated Network All digital signage components are directly connected to the corporate network. No VLANs or firewalling is configured.	Supports large-scale deployment of digital signage network. Allows a high-degree of staff collaboration of content changes. Allows a high-degree of integration with backend data feeds. Allows complete monitoring and management of the solution.	Requires IT coordination for planning and implementation. Requires IT assistance, IP addressing and security compliance.
DMZ Network A dedicated VLAN is provisioned off of the corporate network to connect all digital signage components. User access to the digital signage network is optionally firewalled.	Supports large-scale deployment of digital signage network. High-degree of segregation between digital signage and corporate traffic. Allows a high-degree of staff collaboration of content changes. Allows a high-degree of integration with backend data feeds. Allows complete monitoring and management of the solution.	Requires IT coordination for planning and implementation. Requires IT assistance for provisioning the VLAN, IP addressing and security compliance.
Private Network A dedicated/parallel network is deployed to connect all digital signage components.	Supports large-scale deployment of digital signage network. Completely segregates digital signage and corporate network traffic. No integration concerns for IT.	All content changes and management must be made from the digital signage network. Cannot be accessed from corporate network. Limited backend data integration.
Stand-Alone Designer workstation is directly attached to one or more displays presenting identical content.	Low cost. Simple configuration. No integration concerns for IT. Completely segregates digital signage and corporate network traffic.	Supports only a small number of displays. All content changes must be made at the same workstation. Playback is disrupted during Designer content updates. Limited backend data integration.

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