The rapid evolution of live media networking has brought it closer to converged networking, where robust and efficient communication is paramount. While protocols such as MILAN/AVB, Dante and AES67 are staples, significant opportunities exist to enhance live media networking by adopting architectural blueprints, tools, and widely used protocols from the Information Technology (IT) sector. This workshop explores the specific requirements of live media networking, identifies potential learnings from IT workflows, and examines how other industries, particularly broadcast and video markets, have successfully integrated IT principles to propose technical recommendations. Live media networking, encompassing audio, video, and control signals, demands high precision, low latency, and synchronization. Unlike traditional IT networks, which prioritize data integrity and security, live media networks must ensure seamless real-time transmission without compromising quality. The workshop will delve into these specificities, highlighting the challenges unique to live media and how they differ from typical IT networking scenarios and the use of Time Sensitive Networking (TSN).. A significant challenge in this transition is the learning curve faced by sound technicians. Traditionally focused on audio-specific knowledge, these professionals now need to acquire IT networking skills to manage complex media networks effectively. This gap in expertise necessitates a new role emerging in the industry: the "Live Media Network Manager," a specialist who bridges the knowledge gap between traditional sound engineering and advanced IT networking. A key focus area will be examining IT architectural blueprints and their applicability to live media networking. IT networks often leverage scalable, redundant, and resilient architectures to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. By adopting similar principles, live media networks can achieve greater reliability and scalability. The workshop will discuss how concepts such as network segmentation, redundancy, and failover mechanisms from IT can be tailored to meet the stringent requirements of live media. Additionally, we will explore the tools and protocols widely used in IT that can benefit live media networking. Network monitoring and management tools, such as SNMP and Syslog, offer comprehensive insights into network performance and can aid in proactive maintenance and troubleshooting. Furthermore, protocols like QoS can be adapted to prioritize media traffic, ensuring that critical audio and video streams are delivered with minimal delay and jitter. The workshop will also draw parallels from the broadcast and video markets, which have already embraced IT-based solutions to enhance their networking capabilities. These industries have developed technical recommendations and standards, such as SMPTE ST 2110 for professional media over managed IP networks, which can serve as valuable references for the live media domain. By examining these examples, participants will gain a broader perspective on how cross-industry learnings can drive innovation in live media networking. This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the specific needs of live media networking and present actionable insights from IT workflows and other industries. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to leverage IT principles to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of live media networks, paving the way for a more integrated and future-proof approach.
