Introduction
What is Helix?
Audience for this Guide
How This Guide Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Manual
Terminology
Typographical Conventions
Default Locations and Values
Additional RealNetworks Resources
1 New Features
New Features in Helix Universal Proxy
RTSP Cache Data Acquisition
RTSP Splitting
SureStream Aware Splitting
Windows Media
MPEG
RealMedia Variable Bit Rate
Custom Logging
Redundant Proxies
Upgrade Issues
Compatibility with Server Versions
Default Installation Directory
2 Overview
Understanding Helix Universal Proxy
Media Types
How Helix Universal Proxy Delivers Media
Live Stream Delivery
On-Demand Content Delivery
Helix Universal Proxy Features
Pass-through
Pull Splitting
Cache
Requirements for Each Helix Universal Proxy Feature
Additional Features
Helix Administrator
Limiting Network Traffic
Proxy Routing
Monitoring Helix Universal Proxy in Real Time
Tracking Helix Universal Proxy Activity
Working with Clients
Interaction with Helix Universal Server
Controlling Client Access
Denying Client Access
Tracking Activity
Cache Requests
When Helix Universal Proxy Will Not Conserve Bandwidth
Protocols, Transports, and Packet Formats
3 Installation and Quick Start
Installing Helix Universal Proxy
Upgrading in a Different Directory
Reinstalling Helix Universal Proxy in the Same Directory
Running Helix Universal Proxy
Starting Helix Universal Proxy
Starting on Windows
Starting on UNIX
Using Command Line Options
Stopping Helix Universal Proxy
Shutting Down on Windows
Shutting Down on UNIX
Configuring Helix Universal Proxy as a Windows Service
Removing Helix Universal Proxy from the Services List
Running Multiple Helix Universal Proxys on One Windows NT System
Using Helix Administrator
Starting Helix Administrator
Navigating the Interface
Helix Administrator Sections
Proxy Setup
Security
Logging and Monitoring
Restarting Helix Universal Proxy
Queuing Changes for a Later Restart
Importing Manual Changes on UNIX
License File Information
Quick Start for Helix Universal Proxy
Step 1: Use RealOne Player to Play Content from a Helix Universal Server
Step 2: Start Helix Universal Proxy
Windows NT Operating System
UNIX-Based Operating Systems
Step 3: Monitor Helix Universal Proxy Activity
Step 4: Configure RealOne Player To Use Your Helix Universal Proxy
Step 5: Play Content Again
Step 6: Monitor Helix Universal Proxy Again
4 Proxy Setup
Basic Proxy Features
Pass-through
Cache
Changing the Size of the Cache
Pull Splitting
Pull splitting with RealSystem Server version 8
Multicasting
Defining Communications Ports
Binding To An IP Address
Using Localhost
Capturing All Addresses
Binding to Specific Addresses
Modifying IP Addresses
Managing Bandwidth
Proxy Routing
Redundant Proxies
Administering Both Helix Universal Proxy and Helix Universal Server
Running Other Applications and Helix Universal Proxy on the Same System
Change the HTTP Port Value
Set IP Binding List
Setting UNIX Features
Setting User and Group Names
Setting Processor Count
5 Client Configuration
Overview
Configuring RealOne Players to Contact Helix Universal Proxy
Configuring Windows Media Players to Contact Helix Universal Proxy
6 Firewalls
How Firewalls Work
Protocol Layers
Transport-Layer Protocols
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
User Datagram Protocol (UDP)
Application-Layer Protocols
Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)
Progressive Networks Audio (PNA)
Microsoft Media Services (MMS)
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Packet Formats
RealNetworks Data Transport (RDT)
Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP)
Communicating with Software Behind Firewalls
Communicating with Clients Behind Firewalls
Specific Protocols and Port Settings
Allowing Pull Splitting to Work Through Firewalls
Working with Multiple IP Addresses
Firewall Configurations (For Firewall Administrators)
Firewall Types
Application-Level Proxy Firewall
Transparent Proxy Firewall
Packet Filter Firewall
Stateful Packet Filtering Firewall
Network Address Translation Firewall
SOCKS Firewall
Summary of Firewall Types
Best Firewall Arrangements
Locating Helix Universal Proxy Near the Firewall
Ports Used by RealNetworks Products
Helix Universal Proxy Default Ports
Media Player Default Ports
Helix Universal Server Default Ports
Modifying Shared UDP Port Ranges
7 Proxy Routing and Redundant Proxies
Proxy Routing
Notes on Deploying This Feature
Rules for Routing
Proxy Routing and Helix Universal Proxy Features
Customizing Proxy Routing Settings
Working With Redundant Proxies
Understanding Redundant Proxies
Setting Up Redundant Proxies
8 Multicasting
Overview
Protocols Used for Multicasting
Defining Multicasting
Setting Up the Network for Multicasting
Allocating Addresses and Port Numbers in Helix Universal Proxy
Determining Required Addresses and Port Numbers
Configuring Back-Channel Multicasting
9 Bandwidth Management
Overview
Maximum Client Connections
Maximum Proxy Bandwidth
Maximum Gateway Bandwidth
Limiting Access to Multicast Reception
10 Access Control
Overview
Access to Helix Administrator
Access Rule Methods
Granting Access to Helix Administrator
Creating Specific Access Rules
11 Authentication
Overview
Compatible Client Versions
When to Use Authentication
Understanding Authentication
Databases
Authentication Realms
Authentication Protocols
Authenticating Helix Administrator Users
Authenticating Users Requesting Content
Setting up Databases
Step 1: Optionally, Create a New Database
Step 2: Verify or Add Your Database in Helix Universal Proxy
Setting up Realms
Setting up Authentication
Step 1: Enable the Authentication Feature.
Step 2: Select a Specific Realm
Step 3: Select a Specific Database
Step 4: Optionally Identify Permitted Sites
Step 5: Optionally Allow Users to Log On From Multiple Locations
Working with User Names and Passwords
Adding a User
Removing a User
Browsing All User Names
Changing a Password
Changing RealSystem 5.0 Authentication Passwords
12 Proxy Monitor
Viewing Helix Universal Proxy Activity
13 Access and Error Logs
Understanding Log Files
Access Log
Logged Information
Media Player Statistics
Error Log
Log File Rolling
Access Log File Format
Logging Style
Logging Style 0
Logging Style 1
Logging Style 2
Logging Style 3
Logging Style 4
Logging Style 5
Access Log Fields
Client Address
Timestamp
File Name and Protocol
HTTP Status Code
Bytes Sent
Client Information
Client Identifier
Statistics Results
File Information
Resend Information
Stream Components
Start Time
Server Address
Average Bit Rate
Packets Sent
Presentation ID
Proxy Information
GET Statements
On-Demand Content
Live Broadcasts
Client Statistics
Statistics Type 1
Statistics Type 2
Statistics Type 3
Timestamp
Elapsed Time
Action
Statistics Type 4
Stream Number
Stream Information
Transport
TurboPlay
Duration
Clip End
Information Recorded by Helix Universal Server
Customizing the Access and Error Logs
Modifying the Access Log
Modifying the Error Log
14 Custom Logging
Understanding Custom Logging
The Helix Universal Proxy Registry
Registry Variables
Global Variables
Template Types
Report Formats
Using Session Templates
Choosing a Watch Type
Selecting the Output Format Type
Defining Output Methods
Console
File
Using Log File Rolling
HTTP Post
TCP Broadcast
UDP Broadcast
Pipe and System Log on UNIX
Windows NT Event Log
Creating Logging Templates
Sample Templates
Using the Preconfigured Templates
Errors Template
Extended Logging Template
Server Stats Template
Creating a Client Statistics Log
Connection Statistics Boilerplate and Variables
Disconnect Statistics Boilerplate and Variables
Report Output
15 Troubleshooting
Overview
General Troubleshooting Steps
Step 1: Make sure Helix Universal Proxy is running.
I can't start Helix Universal Proxy at all.
When I click the Helix Universal Proxy icon, the command window appears briefly but then disappears.
Helix Universal Proxy is running, but many features have stopped working.
Look in the error log for messages.
Step 2: Follow the network routing.
Helix Universal Proxy-to-Helix Universal Server Connections
Client-to-Helix Universal Proxy Connections
Using TELNET to Test Connections
Step 3: Ensure that clients are configured correctly.
Step 4: Check remaining areas.
Step 5: Work with your system or network administrator.
Troubleshooting Helix Administrator
How do I figure out which port number to use for Helix Administrator?
How do I look up my user name and password?
I can't start Helix Administrator.
I receive Javascript errors.
Troubleshooting Pull Splitting
Origin Transmitter-to-Helix Universal Proxy Connections
Helix Universal Proxy-to-Client Connections
Troubleshooting Multicasting
Checking Helix Universal Proxy
Special Issues with the Configuration File
Connecting with the Client
Troubleshooting Access Control
Troubleshooting Caching
Cache setting in the Configuration File
Issues related to Helix Universal Proxy
Issues related to Helix Universal Server
Troubleshooting Proxy Routing
Contacting RealNetworks Technical Support
Information Needed by the RealNetworks Technical Support Department
Determining the Helix Universal Proxy Version
A Configuration File
Configuration File Basics
Alternate Configuration Files
Security
Backup Configuration File
Configuration File Text Editing Guidelines
Helix Administrator Exit
Multiple Proxies
Correct Syntax
Helix Universal Proxy Restart
Configuration File Syntax
XML Declaration Tag
Comment Tags
List Tags
Variable Tags
B Address Space Bit Masks
Understanding Basic IP Address Construction
Using a Bit Mask to Identify an Address Space
Slash Notation
Address Space Size
Bit Boundaries
Determining Bit Boundaries
Working with 0-Bit and 32-Bit Masks
C Authentication Data Storage
Understanding Authentication Data
Using Text Files for Authentication Data
Users Directory
Logs Directory
Using a Database for Authentication Data
Users Table
Access_log Table
Setting Up Other Types of Data Storage