Inktomi Announces Adoption of Industry's First Streaming Media Cache
WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 1999 9:18 AM EST
- BusinessWire
SAN FRANCISCO (May 5) BUSINESS WIRE -May 5, 1999--
Broadband Internet and Content Distribution
Providers to Adopt Traffic Server Media Cache, Enabling Broad-Scale Distribution of RealNetworks'
Streaming Media
Inktomi Corp.(NASDAQ:INKT), developer of scalable Internet infrastructure software, today announced
new customers and support for the Traffic Server(TM) Media Cache Option, the industry's first and only
streaming media cache available today. @Home Network (NASDAQ:ATHM), chello broadband n.v., and
SoftNet's (NASDAQ:SOFN) ISP Channel have purchased the new Media Cache and are preparing for
deployment across their networks worldwide, enabling widespread and efficient distribution of streaming
audio and video based on RealSystem(TM)G2.
In addition, Sandpiper Networks, Inc., has announced plans to adopt the Media Cache Option for use in
its Footprint(SM) content distribution network. Bandwidth-savings, improved playback quality, and the
ability to reach larger audiences are driving the deployment of this new technology.
The Media Cache Option is an add-on component to Inktomi Traffic Server that tightly integrates
RealNetworks' RealSystem(TM) G2 media delivery technology with the Traffic Server network cache
platform. By extending caching support to RealAudio(R), RealVideo(R), and the complete range of
RealSystem G2 media types, as well as SMIL-based presentations including these media types, the
Media Cache Option reduces bandwidth costs and improves the end-user experience for live and
on-demand audio, video, and multimedia presentations. Combining RealNetworks' expertise in
streaming media with Inktomi's expertise in network caching technology, the co-developed Media
Cache Option greatly reduces bandwidth and infrastructure costs for service providers, provides a more
compelling experience for their customers, and enables cost-effective delivery of broadband content.
@Home Network, the leading provider of broadband Internet services via the cable infrastructure with
more than a half million subscribers, has built Traffic Server into their unique high-speed network. Media
caching will enable @Home to build out a media delivery system that is cost-effective for the reliable
delivery of higher-quality video over high-speed connections.
"Caching supports @Home's network strategy to push data closer to the user," said Raj Vaswani,
Senior Scientist, @Home Network. "Our distributed network architecture is a perfect fit with caching.
"Deploying the Traffic Server Media Cache Option within our network will allow us to provide more
compelling live and on-demand content to our customers with higher-quality delivery and greater
reliability than previously possible."
chello broadband n.v., a leading European broadband Internet provider, will also deploy the Media Cache
Option. "Streaming media caching will deliver real-time audio and video files at higher speed and quality
while reducing our network infrastructure and bandwidth costs," said Sudhir Ispahani, Managing
Director, Technology and Operations for chello broadband. "Streaming media caching is the most
efficient way to increase streaming media audiences while managing distribution costs, especially when
dealing with trans-Atlantic bandwidth constraints."
Sandpiper Networks, Inc., a leading provider of content delivery services, plans to integrate the Media
Cache Option with its Adaptive Content Distribution technology. The companies have signed a
non-binding letter of intent as a prelude to establishing a broad strategic alliance. Sandpiper's service
offering, Footprint, speeds the delivery of Web content by avoiding network congestion and serving
content closer to end-users.
Sandpiper has built one of the world's largest Content Delivery Networks (CDN), and will use the Media
Cache Option to deliver RealSystem G2 content to larger audiences with greater reliability and
performance than possible with standard delivery architectures. "We're very committed to using Traffic
Server and the Media Cache Option to help ensure that our customers receive the most scalable
solution with the highest quality-of-service," said Leo Spiegel, president and CEO of Sandpiper.
"Caching is a proven component of our Adaptive Content Distribution technology, and caching
streaming media content is a logical extension of that strategy."
SoftNet's ISP Channel, a leading provider of broadband Internet services for small and mid-sized cable
operators, is incorporating Traffic Server into their unique high-speed satellite and cable network. Traffic
Server and the Media Cache Option will further enable ISP Channel to increase its cost-effective media
delivery system for the reliable delivery of higher-quality video over high-speed connections. According
to Dr. Lawrence Brilliant, president and chief executive officer of SoftNet Systems, Inc., "Streaming
media support, based on Traffic Server and the Media Cache Option, will provide our customers with an
enhanced multimedia experience, and the capability to handle the next generation of streaming audio
and video content."
Inktomi announced its partnership with RealNetworks last fall and the Traffic Server Media Cache Option
is the culmination of the co-development effort. "Enabling the efficient and widespread distribution of
compelling new sources of Web-based information is one of our highest priorities," said Paul Gauthier,
chief technology officer of Inktomi. "Our mission is to create scalable Internet infrastructure products.
The Media Cache Option allows us to extend our lead in this market with a cost-saving solution for
caching the growing percentage of Internet traffic that is streaming media. Implementing support for
RealSystem G2 allows our customers to directly improve the user experience for over 60 million
RealPlayer(R) consumers."
"We are very excited to see the rapid market acceptance of the Traffic Server Media Cache," said Mark
Bretl, VP of Media Systems at RealNetworks. "With over 400,000 sources of streaming media content
using RealNetworks technologies, this product will reduce bandwidth costs and enhance scalability for
all our customers and provide a better experience for users of the RealPlayer."
About Traffic Server
Inktomi Traffic Server is a carrier-class network cache platform designed to help Internet infrastructure
and content providers scale their networks. Traffic Server helps ISPs, backbone networks, and hosting
providers deliver enhanced quality of service, increased bandwidth efficiency, and a broad range of
value-added services. By leveraging Traffic Server's robust and flexible software APIs, customers and
third party software providers can develop sophisticated new services that enhance user loyalty and
build strategic differentiation.
About Inktomi
Based in San Mateo, Calif., Inktomi (pronounced INK tuh me), develops and markets scalable software
designed for the world's largest Internet infrastructure and media companies. Inktomi's products include
the world's largest search engines, online comparison shopping solutions, and carrier-class network
cache software.
Inktomi works with leading companies including @Home Network, America Online, chello broadband,
CNET, CNN, GeoCities, Intel, RealNetworks, Sun Microsystems, and Yahoo!. The company has offices
in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.inktomi.com.
Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including
those statements regarding the adoption and deployment of Traffic Server and the Traffic Server Media
Cache Option. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted and reported results
should not be considered an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties
include, among others, the Company's limited operating history, history of losses and expectation of
future losses, substantial dependence on Traffic Server, uncertainty of market acceptance, rapid
technological change and substantial competition. For more information and additional factors that
could affect the business and financial results see "Factors Affecting Operating Results" contained in
Inktomi's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 12, 1999.
Note to Editors: Copyright (c) 1999 INKTOMI CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved. Inktomi, Traffic
Server, Scaling the Internet and the tri-colored cube logo are all trademarks of Inktomi Corporation.
RealSystem, RealAudio, RealVideo, and RealPlayer are either trademarks or registered trademarks of
RealNetworks, Inc. All other company and product names referenced herein are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective holders.
pb/sf* dc/sf
CONTACTS: Inktomi Corp, San Mateo
Kevin Brown, 650/653-2825 kevin@inktomi.com
or Access Communications, San Francisco
Wendi Taylor, 415-904-7070 ext. 272 wtaylor@accesspr.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL EUROPE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMED COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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