Helix Proxy

Real offers two software-based proxy products, Helix Proxy which enables you to reduce bandwidth costs for content entering your network and the Helix Proxy — Reverse which enables you to increase server performance. Helix Proxy is intended for deployment on a corporate intranet, acting as a gateway that services internal RealPlayer requests for streaming media that is hosted on Helix Servers inside or outside of the network. Helix Proxy can also be used by service providers looking for a solution to place at a POP such that they can manage requests for content originating outside their network.

Helix Proxy is software you install on a network or ISP gateway that aggregates and handles client requests for live and on-demand media streamed from externally hosted Helix Servers. Helix Proxy reduces network traffic by eliminating redundant requests for streaming media.

Key Benefits

Reduce bandwidth costs - By eliminating redundant data transmission between the server and proxy, you require less bandwidth to receive the same amount of content. Lower bandwidth usage translates into savings to your bottom line.

Manage the network - Cap inbound and outbound bandwidth, ensuring that mission-critical applications are not adversely affected by streaming activities.

Control content - Helix Proxy authenticates every client request at the origin, so control of the content always stays at the origin server.

Security - Helix Proxy masks the IP address of your internal users.

Improve end-user playback - By caching and splitting content closer to the end-user, Helix Proxy reduces transmission problems that degrade the quality of the playback experience.

How The Helix Proxy Works

The first step in the Helix Proxy process happens when a RealPlayer or RealPlayer Enterprise, requests a digital media file on an externally hosted Helix Server — for example an employee wants to watch video on CNN.com.

This request is directed through the Helix Proxy, which forwards the request to the Helix Server where the digital media files are stored.

The Helix Server verifies the file’s existence, and that the RealPlayer is authorized through IP addresses or content authentication to access the content. If the Helix Server denies the request, it does not stream the requested file, and neither does the Helix Proxy.

Helix Proxy has three different ways of sending data to clients and automatically chooses the most efficient method possible, based on the type of content requested and the network configuration.

Passthrough - No bandwidth conservation is in effect, but all streaming media (both on demand and live) requests go through Helix Proxy.

Pull Splitting - For live requests, Helix Proxy "shares" the stream among the clients who request it.

Cache - For on demand requests, Helix Proxy stores the streaming media data for later viewing by other clients.

Helix Proxy

Helix Proxy eliminates redundant requests for content hosted on external Web sites by caching on-demand content and splitting live content on your network.

Please contact sales for pricing - enquiries@streaming.co.uk or call 01844 337353

Helix Proxy - 30-day trial

Evaluate: Available free for 30 days

Helix Proxy is intended for deployment on a corporate intranet, acting as a gateway that services internal RealPlayer® requests for streaming media that is hosted on Helix Servers inside or outside of the network. Helix Proxy can also be used by service providers looking to manage requests for content originating outside their network.

Helix Reverse Proxy

You may also choose to deploy proxy-cache technology to accelerate the performance of centrally deployed Helix Servers. In this scenario, you will surround one or more Helix Servers in a data center with Helix Proxy - Reverse. You will then use a Layer Four Switch to load balance requests between the Helix Servers and the Helix Proxy - Reverse, therefore, offering a proxy-cache alternative to Helix Servers for increasing capacity.

Please contact sales for pricing - enquiries@streaming.co.uk or call 01844 337353

NB. All pricing is excluding VAT and shipping costs and is subject to RealNetworks and Streaming's Terms and Conditions of Sale. For details of any applicable price support please e-mail enquiries@streaming.co.uk or call Rob Thomas on 01844 337353