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Solution Architecture

The Hive Streaming solution is comprised of four general components:

  1. Browser-based software (the HIVE plug-in)

  2. HIVE Cloud Services

  3. HIVE Web Applications

  4. Installable, endpoint-based software (the HIVE Agent)

Browser-based software

Hive Streaming extends the capabilities of partner video platforms via self-contained components commonly referred to as "Video Player Plugins" or simply the "HIVE Player Plugin".  

HIVE Player Plugins are delivered to partners as JavaScript libraries that are then included inside the partner's application.  The HIVE Player Plugin is loaded by the web browser when a viewer loads the video event webpage.  No installation is required by the partner or end-customer.

The Hive Player Plugin acts as bridge between the partner video application and the Hive Streaming video distribution solution.  Functions of the HIVE Player Plugin Include: 

  • Communicating with an installed HIVE Agent

  • Collecting player statistics and user behavior observed through the web browser

In the case of HIVE WebRTC (browser-based) video distribution, a HIVE Agent is not required.  In this case, the HIVE Player Plugin performs additional functions, including: 

  • Resolving the HIVE Ticket with the HIVE Cloud Services (authenticating the viewer)

  • Downloading video fragments from the partner's video CDN (as a leader)

  • Sharing downloaded video fragments with other HIVE WebRTC-enabled endpoints watching the video

  • Posting snapshots of playback metrics to the HIVE Cloud Services 

HIVE Cloud Services

HIVE Cloud Services are a collection of web services supporting various business functions, including statistics collection, discovery of other HIVE endpoints and connection setup.

All HIVE Cloud services are hosted as secure applications in Microsoft Azure. HIVE Cloud Services respond only to secure HTTPS requests.

HIVE partners must use a unique security token to connect to HIVE Cloud Services. HIVE-supported endpoints (both HIVE WebRTC and HIVE Agent-based) must present a valid HIVE Ticket or Client Certificate to connect to a HIVE Cloud Service.

Key HIVE Cloud Services:

  • HIVE Ticketing Service: HIVE’s video platform partners invoke the HIVE Ticketing Service to notify HIVE of a video requiring HIVE analytics or distribution; HIVE endpoints (both HIVE WebRTC and HIVE Agent-based) must authenticate against the Ticketing Service before streaming video

  • HIVE Tracker Service: maintains a registry of HIVE-supported endpoints authorized to view a video, facilitating quick connection setup between nearby endpoints

  • HIVE Snapshot Service: HIVE-supported endpoints report viewer statistics to the Snapshot Service regularly during video streaming

Other HIVE Cloud services automate customer account provisioning, facilitate Silent Testing and support Agent AutoUpdate functionality.

HIVE Web Applications

The HIVE Web Applications provide management functionality.  Do not host video.  The HIVE Web Applications support authentication and SSO via Azure AD.  Optionally, a “local” login may be setup if the customer does not utilize Azure AD.  Hosted in Microsoft Azure.

HIVE Portal

HIVE Portal is the main control panel for Hive Streaming solutions.  

The HIVE portal includes:

  • Functionality related to Hive enabled Video Platforms, such as HIVE usage, live and historical reporting of videos and linking to HIVE Insights

  • Tools to manage a HIVE Agent deployment, including hosting of downloadable HIVE Agent installer packages

  • Auxiliary functionality, including user management, audit logs and links to HIVE Support and the HIVE Knowledge Base (HKB).

HIVE Insights

HIVE Insights, described above, is Hive Streaming's flagship reporting application.  HIVE Insights, along with the HIVE Cloud Services and other HIVE web applications is hosted in Microsoft Azure.

HIVE VI (Video Insights)

HIVE VI, described above, Is Hive Streaming's powerful business insights blah blah engine.  HIVE VI data Is hosted In Microsoft Azure.  Dashboards for consuming HIVE VI data are implemented In Microsoft Power BI and may be accessed via the Power BI web or desktop applications.

Documentation portals

The HIVE Knowledge Base (HKB) and Partner Portal are hosted on the Atlassian Confluence Cloud platform, customer and partner logins are approved after review.

Installable, endpoint-based software

The Hive Agent can be deployed and managed using standard software distribution methods. The unobtrusive software is installed on end-user devices and acts as a transparent HTTP proxy between the streaming server and the Webcast platform. 

As simultaneous participants join the meeting the Hive Agent creates a dynamic software defined network. Media streams are then shared between users on the network, instead of being requested from the Internet. This process is seamless to the viewing audience and completely managed by Hive Streaming’s video distribution algorithm. 

It is not uncommon for network administrators to see bandwidth savings of 95-99% on live broadcasts. 

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