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Fox Sports Net

Apr 1, 2001 12:00 PM, by Steve Lewis

NOC

The FSN Network Operations Center could have been situated almost anywhere given the relatively small footprint of technology that actually manages and monitors the distributed technology components of FSN's peer-to-peer network. The NOC was built near other Fox broadcast operations in Los Angeles with the main components consisting of an equipment center and control room that houses the video/control display wall and operations consoles. A key consideration to the 24/7 operation is the FSN control and monitoring of all systems and locations comprising the FVN. The NOC uses a series of comprehensive software management tools designed into consoles in the main NOC room and displayed on a sophisticated monitor wall.

Master Control display

The custom monitor wall and operators consoles designed by CEI incorporate a combination of 9- and 14-inch broadcast monitors, flat panel computer displays, and eight 50-inch LCD Rear Projection Displays. The display systems are integrated with a multi image display system that allows the NOC operators to dynamically select a variety of video sources and control monitoring maps to be presented on the 50-inch LCD displays. Prearranged combinations of inputs can be alternatively displayed or blended on the LCD rear projection screens to support simultaneous viewing of picture quality, individual component health status, or ongoing communications connections and traffic. CEI worked with FSN operators to design flexibility into the control room's consoles, monitor wall and monitor bridge fixture, and developed control software to streamline operations. FSN operators are provided efficient access to the NOC's extensive technical systems, analysis tools, signals, and communications controls.

In order to keep track of the numerous program sources that appear on the presentation displays, a source identification system was incorporated into FSN's under monitor displays. Information to drive the source ID displays is derived from the routing and control switching systems. The NOC's control software polls the status of the various technology systems and presents color-coded alerts with specific FSN systems and locations identified. These alerts are superimposed on a national map thus aiding the FSN monitoring process. Color-coding (Green, Yellow or Red) as well as audible alarms immediately cue the operators to a telecommunications connection or equipment failure. The alarm and control management tools help the operators prioritize the multitude of activities being monitored across the widely dispersed but highly interdependent systems.

Monitoring and software controls

The monitoring system for the TCP/IP network is built around the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and uses Hewlett Packard's Open View software system. FVN's in-band monitoring and control signals utilize the same ATM network connections and systems as the programming. The following software monitoring tools help FSN to identify nonperforming systems, efficiently address operations issues, and timely facilitate smooth network operations:

As part of an end-to-end solution, FOX Sports Net utilizes Tandberg Television's new control software, Cortex, to support system control, monitoring, scheduling, resource and bandwidth allocation. With its client-server based architecture and comprehensive feature set, the Cortex software solution enables FOX Sports Net to implement the centralized monitoring and control procedures required for the extensive switched video network
The NOC also uses ForeView software from Marconi to manage the distributed ATM systems and network devices that link servers, workstations, and telecommunication circuits distributed throughout the country. The FSN operators are presented with location maps illustrating the operational status and health of the widely distributed ATM and TCP/IP network technology that comprises the Fox Video Network.
CEI designed and developed a Panja (AMX)-based control system that monitors the health and controls the operation of each regional site's rack of broadcast technology. Any interruption of signal flow will provide a visual alarm on the national map that is displayed within the Fox NOC.

While the NOC in Los Angeles monitors and maintains control over the performance of the national network, each regional sports bureau can and will create its own communications sessions with the other locations of the Fox Sport Network. The flexible peer-to-peer communications arrangement enables the FSN partners to share programming material without direct and constant intervention of the LA NOC operations staff.

With the implementation of this ATM/SVC video network, the FSN controls its own feeds, manages its own resources and bandwidth allocation. An immediate advantage of this arrangement is that it eliminates delays associated with scheduling and booking feeds from a third party provider. Further, FSN has realized significant cost savings associated with the ATM network compared to the transmission costs of a traditional satellite or point-to-point fiber network. By having a combination of dedicated ATM/IP bandwidth capacity, encoders and decoders, and a network control system all operational 24/7 from the NOC in Los Angeles, FOX Sports Net has more flexibility, reliability and control while simultaneously lowering total operational costs.

Above all, FSN is pleased about its current cost advantages and the performance of its ATM-based Fox Video Network. As FSN's experience grows, it is anticipated that additional Fox signals and programming will migrate to the FVN such as event backhaul and other more critical content distribution tasks. FSN's future operational efficiency will also increase due to the expected availability of increasingly lower cost IP network bandwidth services in the market.

The reality of broadcast operations today is that you must do more and better with less, and that is a good description for FSN's upgraded facilities.

Steve Lewis is director of sales and marketing for Communications Engineering, Inc.

Equipment list

Bureau Locations

APC Matrix UPS System
EVERTZ small SDI Router
MARCONI/FORE ATM Switch
MARCONI/FORE Ethernet Switch
IKEGAMI 9" Color Video Monitor
IMAGE VIDEO Under Monitor Display
LEITCH Xplus
LEITCH Frame and Signal Processing Systems
TANDBERG VAM ClipCourier
TANDBERG MPEG encoders
PANJA (AMX) Systems
ROSS encoders
TEKTRONIX Serial Digital Component Monitor
WOHLER monitors
RTS TW Communications System

NOC

BEST POWER Axxium UPS System
CEI Monitoring & Control
CEI Custom Display and Monitor Wall
CEI Monitoring & Control Console
EXTRON Computer Video Distribution System
MARCONI/FORE ATM and Ethernet Switches
HAFLER Power Amplifier
IKEGAMI 9" & 14" Color Monitors
IMAGE VIDEO Under Monitor Display
LEITCH Xplus
LEITCH Frames and Signal Processing Systems
LINK Genflex D/A Sync Generators
McCURDY Audio Metering
MIRANDA Multi Image Display Systems
TANDBERG MPEG Encoders
PANJA (AMX) Systems
ROSS encoders
VIEWSONIC Flat-panel LCD displays