Redundant/High Availability Setups

You can create a redundant/failsafe streaming setup by creating two identical hardware configurations on two separate computers, each with its own input feed, and streaming the output of both to the Triton Digital Network. The Triton Media Relay will either accept one of the streams and ignore the other or accept both, depending on the configuration selected (see High Availability (HA) Streaming, below). If one of your computers fails, or if one of the feeds is broken, the Media Relay will switch over to the other stream. If you can't install two machines, you can still benefit from some level of redundancy with dual streams on one machine, as described below.

Ideally, you would use two identical machines with identical configurations, so it doesn't matter which one is streaming through the network. However, if one of the machines is less capable, or on a less reliable connection, you can use it strictly as a backup machine using the Backup Mode, as explained below. You can also use backup mode if you prefer to always use one particular machine as the primary stream source.

For best redundant security, the two systems should be located on separate power lines, network cables, and ISPs.

You must inform Triton Digital if you decide to set up a redundant system so we can make the appropriate configuration on our side. For best results, work with your Triton Digital Client Success Manager or Solution Specialist when setting up a redundant system.

High Availability (HA) Streaming

High Availability (HA) streaming describes a configuration in which multiple streams are available simultaneously in order to provide uninterrupted service to listeners in the even of a break in connection anywhere between and including the station and the Triton streaming infrastructure. It works by running multiple streams from the source (various configurations are available), serving multiple listeners, where any given listener is only connected to one stream at a time. But if there is a break in the connection (from the station or within the Triton network), the listener is immediately and seamlessly connected to one of the other streams.

Dual streaming is achieved by one (or both) of the following methods:

Dual Station Manager setups at the station, each sending single or dual streams.
Single Station Manager setup at the station, sending a dual stream.

Dual streaming requires Station Manager 5.1 or higher.

HA Configurations

There are various possible configurations that can take advantage of HA streaming.

HA Level 1: Single Station Manager, dual stream.
HA Level 2: Multiple Station Managers, single stream.
HA Level 3: Multiple Station Managers, dual stream.

Each configuration offers different levels of redundancy and require different levels of bandwidth usage. The configuration you choose depends on your Station Manager setup and your listener quality expectations. High value stations should consider the top tier solution (HA Level 3), while smaller or lower value stations might find a lower tier solution provides a suitable balance of redundancy and bandwidth cost.

The descriptions in the grid below outline the essentials of the four main configurations. They assume you are using Triton Digital's Station Manager as your encoding and streaming solution. Other configurations are possible, but you should consult with your Triton Digital Client Success Manager for details.

	Multiple Station Managers	Single Station Manager
Dual Stream	HA Level 3 Provides the greatest level of redundancy, and therefore the smoothest listener experience in the event of a stream break. Both Station Manager and Media Relay have HA. Requires Station Manager 5.1 or higher to enable dual streaming. Requires high bandwidth; enough to carry at least four streams from the station to the Triton Network. Best results when each Station Manager is using a different ISP/Route. Best for: High value stations where listener experience is most important and bandwidth exists to support this configuration.	HA Level 1 Provides a good level of redundancy, and usually a smooth listener experience in the event of a stream break. Requires Station Manager 5.1. or higher to enable dual streaming. Uses less bandwidth than HA Level 3. Best for: Mid-level stations where good listener experience is important but balanced against bandwidth cost. Stations where a dual Station Manager setup is not possible or desired.
Single Stream	HA Level 2 Provides a good level of redundancy, and usually a smooth listener experience in the event of a stream break. Both Station Manager and Media Relay have HA. Does not require Station Manager 5.1. Uses less bandwidth than HA Level 3. Best for: Mid-level stations where good listener experience is important but balanced against bandwidth cost. Stations that are able to run a dual Station Manager setup but have not yet upgraded to Station Manager 5.1.	(Not HA) This is not a HA configuration! It is shown here for comparison purposes only. Provides a basic level of redundancy, and might in some cases require listener to manually reconnect in the event of a stream break. Does not require Station Manager 5.1. Uses the least amount of bandwidth. Best for: Lower-tier stations where bandwidth cost is prioritized.

Multiple Station Managers

Single Station Manager

Dual Stream

HA Level 3

Provides the greatest level of redundancy, and therefore the smoothest listener experience in the event of a stream break.
Both Station Manager and Media Relay have HA.
Requires Station Manager 5.1 or higher to enable dual streaming.
Requires high bandwidth; enough to carry at least four streams from the station to the Triton Network.
Best results when each Station Manager is using a different ISP/Route.

Best for:

High value stations where listener experience is most important and bandwidth exists to support this configuration.

HA Level 1

Provides a good level of redundancy, and usually a smooth listener experience in the event of a stream break.
Requires Station Manager 5.1. or higher to enable dual streaming.
Uses less bandwidth than HA Level 3.

Best for:

Mid-level stations where good listener experience is important but balanced against bandwidth cost.
Stations where a dual Station Manager setup is not possible or desired.

Single Stream

HA Level 2

Provides a good level of redundancy, and usually a smooth listener experience in the event of a stream break.
Both Station Manager and Media Relay have HA.
Does not require Station Manager 5.1.
Uses less bandwidth than HA Level 3.

Best for:

Mid-level stations where good listener experience is important but balanced against bandwidth cost.
Stations that are able to run a dual Station Manager setup but have not yet upgraded to Station Manager 5.1.

(Not HA)

This is not a HA configuration! It is shown here for comparison purposes only.
Provides a basic level of redundancy, and might in some cases require listener to manually reconnect in the event of a stream break.
Does not require Station Manager 5.1.
Uses the least amount of bandwidth.

Best for:

Lower-tier stations where bandwidth cost is prioritized.

HA Setup

To set up HA streaming, contact Triton Digital Customer Support once you have upgraded to Station Manager 5.1 or higher. The support team will do the necessary configuration changes on our side, and will guide you through the process of enabling and using HA streaming for your station(s).

Backup Mode

Station Manager 5.1 introduces Backup Mode, in which you can configure a second Station Manager machine to run a simultaneous backup stream along with the primary machine. The second machine functions as a temporary backup in the case of a break in the stream, such as if the primary machine goes down or there is an interruption within the Triton Streaming Network.

Backup Mode is not the same as a multi-Station Manager setup that you would use for High Availability (HA) streaming. In that case, both machines and Station Manager configurations are the same, with equal capabilities, and the Triton Digital infrastructure uses whichever stream is optimal at any given time, switching easily to the other if there is an issue.

Backup Mode, on the other hand, is useful for when you have a second Station Manager setup that is less capable or less reliable than the primary one, such as a setup that is running on an older machine or in a different location with a less reliable connection or less monitoring. With Backup Mode, the Triton Digital infrastructure always prefers the primary stream, and only falls back to the backup stream if there is an issue with the primary stream. Once the system detects that the primary stream is back up and stable, it switches back to the primary stream.

Backup Mode is an inexpensive way to achieve better stream availability to listeners without committing to a full HA setup.

The backup machine must still meet the Station Manager minimum requirements. Backup mode is not available on Telos appliances.

Enabling Backup Mode

As of Station Manager 5.1.2, enabling backup mode (or disabling it) causes Station Manager's stations to re-start in order to refresh their connections to the streaming server.

To enable Backup Mode:

Go to your second Station Manager machine (the backup), and go to File > Settings.
In the window that appears, select This Station Manager is a Backup Server.
Click Save.
The stations re-start in order to refresh their connections to the streaming server.

This machine is now set as the backup Station Manager.