Ravenna (networking)
Ravenna is a technology for real-time transport of audio and other media data in IP-based network environments, which was introduced to the public on Sep. 10, 2010 at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.[1][2] Ravenna can operate on most existing network infrastructures using standard networking technology. Performance and capacity scale with network performance. Ravenna is designed to match broadcasters' requirements for low latency, full signal transparency and high reliability. Fields of application include (but are not limited to): in-house signal distribution for broadcasting houses and other fixed installations, flexible setups at venues and live events, outside broadcasting support, and inter-studio links across wide area network links and production facilities.
Standard protocols
Ravenna is an IP-based solution. As such it is based on protocol levels at or above layer 3 of the OSI reference model. All protocols and mechanisms used within Ravenna are based on widely deployed and established standards:
- Streaming is based on the well-established RTP / RTCP protocols with payload formats defined by various RFCs (i.e. RFC 3550, RFC 3551 et al.).
- Both unicast and multicast are supported on a per-stream basis.
- Stream management and connection is achieved through SDP or RTSP protocol.
- QoS is based on DiffServ mechanism
- Device configuration and discovery is executed through the use of DHCP / DNS services or zeroconf mechanisms.
- Low-level device configuration is accomplished through independent web services via http protocol.
- Time synchronization is maintained via PTPv2 (IEEE 1588-2008).
Open technology
Ravenna is an open-technology standard without a proprietary licensing policy. A first-draft version of the Ravenna specification[3] is publicly available. The development is jointly executed within the RAVENNA Partner Group under the leadership of ALC NetworX GmbH, Munich. Current Ravenna partners include:
- AEQ (Spain)
- AETA (France)
- Archwave (Switzerland)
- Calrec (UK)
- Coveloz Technologies (Canada)
- Digigram (France)
- DirectOut (Germany)
- Genelec (Finland)
- Infomedia (China)
- Lawo (Germany)
- Merging Technologies (Switzerland)
- Neumann (Germany)
- Orban (USA)
- Qbit (Germany)
- Schoeps (Germany)
- SciSys (Germany)
- Sonifex (UK)
- Sound4 (France)
- Telos Systems (USA)
- WorldCast Systems (France)
- and others[4]
Standardization activities
Ravenna contributes to the standardization efforts within AES SC-02-12-H X192 - High-performance streaming audio-over-IP interoperability.[5][6] As a result of the X192 Task Group work, the AES67-2013 standard for audio applications of networks - high-performance streaming audio-over-IP interoperability was published on September, 11th, 2013.[7] Ravenna is already compatible with AES67, since all relevant mechanisms, protocols and formats used for synchronization, transport and payload mandated by AES67 are fully supported.
See also
References
- ↑ "RAVENNA revealed". ibc e-daily. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
- ↑ "ALC and Lawo launch IP distribution system". Pro Sound News Europe. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
- ↑ "RAVENNA Operating Principles - Draft 1.0". ALC NetworX. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
- ↑ "RAVENNA Partner Companies".
- ↑ "Ravenna Submitted for Standardization". Radio World. 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2011-07-12.
- ↑ Paul McLane (2012-08-08). "Why Axia and Ravenna Hooked Up". Radio World. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
- ↑ "AES67-2013, Networks, audio-over-IP interoperability". AES Standards News Blog. 2013-09-11.