INKT news is really HUGE this morning and people are only starting to realize it.
Wednesday May 5, 8:30 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Inktomi Announces Adoption of Industry's First Streaming Media Cache
SAN FRANCISCO--(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 - news), 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 - news), chello broadband n.v., and SoftNet's (NASDAQ:SOFN - news) 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®, RealVideo®, 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® 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.
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