The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement and is protected under the
copyright laws of the United States and other countries.
U.S. GOVERNMENT USERS RESTRICTED RIGHTS: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the U.S.
Government is subject to restriction as set forth in subparagraph (b)(2) of the Technical Data and Computer
Software-Commercial items clause at DFARS 252.211-7015, or in subparagraph (c)(2) of the Commercial
Computer Software-Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19, as applicable.
Avid is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. Media Browse, ControlAir, iNEWS ControlAir, and
iNEWS are trademarks of iNews, LLC. Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS, MS-DOS, Win 32, Windows,
Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows NT Server, and the Windows operating system logo are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States of America and other countries. UNIX is a
registered trademark of X/Open Company, Ltd. All other trademarks and registered trademarks used herein
are the property of their respective owners.
Avid
6400 Enterprise Lane
Madison, Wisconsin 53719 USA
Tel: +1-608-274-8686 Fax: +1-608-273-5876
Congratulations on your purchase of iNEWS MOS Gateway, the system
that removes barriers between newsroom computing and broadcasting.
MOS Gateway uses the MOS protocol as a standard for communications
between newsroom computer systems and Media Object Servers (MOS),
such as video servers, audio servers, still stores, and character generators.
Who Should Use This Guide
This manual is written for journalists, producers, directors, writers, and
various technical personnel responsible for using the iNEWS MOS
Gateway in a broadcast newsroom. Portions of the manual provide
installation data for technicians. Other chapters provide configuration and
maintenance information for system administrators who are managing the
system.
n
It is strongly recommended that system administrators have prior
experience in or classroom knowledge of the Windows-based
systems, such as Windows XP
About This Manual
This guide will lead you through even the most complex procedures with
task-oriented instructions, illustrated for a more realistic presentation of
the actual icons and images you will encounter. The information provided
®
.
operating
here builds on basic user procedures, while adding a complete explanation
of all the tools and techniques required to create, apply, and adjust various
settings, including useful tips, shortcuts, and custom options.
The Table of Contents that precedes this preface lists all topics included in
the book. They are presented with the following overall structure:
•The Introduction helps you get oriented with beginning concepts and
general work flow and provides valuable pointers to keep in the back
of your mind as you proceed.
•The main body of the guide follows the natural flow of your work,
with clear and comprehensive step-by-step procedures.
•At the back of the book is a comprehensive Glossary, providing cross-
industry terms and definitions.
•Finally, a detailed Index helps you quickly locate specific topics.
This manual provides requirements and specifications for your system in
the following areas:
•Minimum hardware and software components
•Installation procedures
•System configuration and maintenance
•Troubleshooting
Use this manual to prepare for and set up your system on the network, after
you have purchased the MOS Gateway components according to iNews
requirements and specifications. Before installing any equipment, the site
must already have a configured network.
Symbols and Conventions
The MOS Gateway documentation uses the following special symbols and
conventions:
1. Numbered lists, when the order of the primary items is important.
a. Alphabetical lists, when the order of secondary items is important.
8
Symbols and Conventions
•Bulleted lists, when the order of primary items is unimportant.
-Indented dashed lists, when the order of secondary items is
unimportant.
tA single-step procedure or as a list of optional procedures.
Look here in the
margin for tips and
environment-specific
information.
n
c
Cross References
n
In the margin you will find tips that help you perform tasks more easily and
efficiently. You will also find information specific to a particular operating
environment.
A note provides important related information, reminders,
recommendations, and strong suggestions.
A caution means that a specific action you take could harm your
computer or cause you to lose data.
Cross references are provided throughout this manual to give readers
locations where additional—sometimes more detailed—information on a
certain topic can be found. In some cases, the chapter name and number is
provided. In others, a heading, table number of figure number is used. In
cases when the information in a chapter other than the one in which the
cross reference is located, page numbers are given along with the heading.
See “About This Manual” on page 7 for more information on what
chapters are in which sections of this manual.
Keyboard Conventions
•Ctrl+x means to press and hold down the Control key and then press
•“Type” in a command procedure means to type the command on the
•“Select” means to choose an operation on a drop-down or pop-up
another key on the keyboard, represented here by x. This is also used
for other key-combinations such as Alt+x or Shift+ x.
command line and then “press” the Enter key.
menu.
9
•“Click” means to click the left mouse button, usually in response to a
dialog box. “Right-click” means to click the right mouse button.
If You Need Help
If you are having trouble using MOS Gateway, you should:
1. Repeat the procedure, carefully following the instructions provided for
the task in this guide.
2. Refer to the documentation included with your hardware to review the
maintenance procedures or the hardware-related issues.
3. Check the Support section of Avid Web site at
http://www.avid.com for online technical publications and
additional telephone support phone numbers.
4. Maintenance Agreement contract customers can contact Avid
Broadcast Customer Support personnel at any of these 24-hour global
telephone numbers:
•1 800 869 7009in the Americas (All products, except Newsview)
•44 1256 814222in Europe, Africa, and Mid-East
•61 2 9963 2895in Asia/Pacific
Or online:
•e-mailinews-support@avid.com
•http://www.avid.com/support/contact.html
For general information, call your local Avid reseller or in North America
call the Avid Broadcast Customer Relations desk at 1-800-869-7009.
Related Information
Contact your Avid Sales representative for documentation and information
on other Avid® products, such as the iNEWS™ newsroom computer
system, Media Browse™, EditStar™, LeaderPlus™, MOS Gateway, and so
forth.
10
If You Have Documentation Comments
If You Have Documentation Comments
The Avid Broadcast Technical Publications department continually seeks
to improve its documentation. We value your comments about this manual
or other Avid-supplied documentation.
Send your documentation comments by e-mail to:
techpubs_wi@avid.com
Include the title of the document, its part number, revision, and the specific
section that you are commenting on in all correspondence.
How To Order Documentation
To order additional copies of this documentation from within the United
States, call the Avid Sales department at 1-608-274-8686. If you are
placing an order from outside the United States, contact your local Avid
Sales representative.
11
12
Chapter 1
Introduction to MOS
Gateway
This chapter contains the following major sections:
•Overview of MOS Gateway
-MOS Control Workflow
Chapter 1
Overview of MOS Gateway
The iNEWS MOS Gateway is an application that does the following:
•receives information from the iNEWS newsroom computer system as
machine control events are entered in production cues in scripts
•converts the information into commands in version 2.8 of the MOS
Protocol and directs it to specified MOS-compliant devices
•routes the status of each media object in a rundown on a MOS device
back to the iNEWS Workstation
MOS Gateway can handle multiple shows simultaneously.
MOS Control Workflow
MOS Gateway is designed to work with multiple vendors’ MOS devices.
Each MOS device can be accompanied by an ActiveX control that is
hosted by the iNEWS Workstation, or MOS item replication can be used
for devices that do not have ActiveX controls.
Replication also
provides users with the
capability to search the
MOS inventory using
iNEWS search tools.
14
Replication means that MOS Gateway v2.0 supports the Media Object
Metadata (MOM) connection with a MOS device as well as the
Rundown/Running Order (RO) connection. Each MOS device can send
MOM to a single device-specific queue, allowing iNEWS to host a copy of
a MOS device’s inventory. Each story in the device-specific queue
contains information about a different MOS item. The
MOSREPLICATION form in iNEWS determines how MOS items are
replicated to a device-specific queue—that is, whether the MOS item
appears in the story form, as a production cue in the story body, or
both—and what metadata is displayed as normal text in the story body.
MOS replication requires an iNEWS user account with write access to all
device-specific queues that will store replicated MOS items. See
“Configure iNEWS for MOS Replication (Optional)” on page 68 for more
information. Replication options are configured using the MOS
Administration tool. See “Using the MosAdmin Application” on page 91
for more information.
Overview of MOS Gateway
Windows XP /
SCO UNIX / SGI IRIX / Linux
Windows XP /
Vendor
vendor
-
specific communication
MOS Protocol
Vendor
An ActiveX control provides a live view of the media inventory on the
MOS device. The news staff can use an ActiveX control (also known as a
plugin) or replicated metadata to browse a MOS device’s inventory and
insert the appropriate information into a machine control event in the
script. See Figure1 for a visual diagram of the two paths by which a MOS
device’s media inventory may be viewed at an iNEWS Workstation.
For instance, users can copy a MOS item’s production cue marker—shown
at left—from a MOS device’s replication queue and paste it directly into
the body of an iNEWS story. For MOS items that appear in the story form,
an entire story may be duplicated from the device-specific queue into an
iNEWS rundown and then its title and body edited accordingly, such as
changing the existing title to the story’s name (slug) and replacing any text
with the story’s script.
After the news staff has entered the machine control events in the scripts,
the producer can download rundowns to the MOS device using the monitor
server in iNEWS and MOS Gateway. The downloaded rundown can be
controlled using the MOS device’s interface.
2000 / NT
iNEWS
Client hosts
ActiveX
Control
n
2000
Replication
iNEWS
Server
Figure 1MOS Control Workflow Diagram
Monitor
Server
MOS
Gateway
Vendor OS
MOS
Device
Monitor server is a utility program that checks a show’s event requests for
errors, creates composite and event lists, and sends playlists to MOS
Gateway. For more information on creating monitor servers, see “Creating
a Monitor Server for Each Show” on page 37.
15
Chapter 1
Loading a Show to the MOS Gateway
When your newsroom staff builds a show, they insert special keywords into
scripts, referred to as machine control events. These items include at least a
word to identify the specific machine or a machine type, such as CG or SS,
and some information to indicate that they want that machine to display. If
the machine is a MOS device, these machine control events are created
using the ActiveX control that came with the MOS device.
Monitor Mode - ON
When the monitor server is turned on—usually by the producer, from the
iNEWS Workstation´s Tool menu—it will read all the machine control
events in the rundown and build playlists, also known as event lists, for
each device. The monitor server performs as much error checking as it can
without communicating with any broadcast equipment.
After the monitor server is turned on, it continues to monitor the rundown,
examining every story saved for new, deleted, or updated events in the
playlist.
16
MOS Gateway is not yet involved. Playlists can be printed and distributed
to equipment operators. The devices can be controlled using traditional
methods.
Overview of MOS Gateway
Monitor Commands
(ON, LOAD, UNLOAD, OFF)
Messages
(progress, errors, warnings)
ON:
Get system info, Parse Rundown,
MOS Gateway
Retains all loaded playlists,
playlist & event status.
Distributes commands,
updated status, event
changes & messages.
iNEWS monitor
servers
ON: Watch for added,
deleted, or Modified Events
(Machine Instructions)
LOAD: send playlists and
updates to MOS Gateway
Build Playlist, Write Event List queues
Figure 2Monitor Mode - ON Diagram
Monitor Mode - LOAD
iNEWS
Clients
Enter Events
Create Rundowns,
iNEWS DB
Rundown & Event List queues
System Map & Resource queues
MOS
Devices
As air time nears and the newsroom staff completes the rundown,
someone—usually the producer or equipment operator—will instruct the
monitor server to load the playlist into MOS devices. As the rundown is
loaded in MOS Gateway, MOS Gateway loads individual playlists to the
appropriate MOS device. The MOS device begins its assigned task, such as
inserting CG text, checking for availability of video clips, and so forth.
Each MOS device sends MOS Gateway the status of the playlist, called a
running order in the MOS Protocol. Each MOS device also sends the
status of individual running order items, each one corresponding to a
machine control event.
17
Chapter 1
MOS Gateway then forwards these status messages to the monitor server.
Error messages are returned to the iNEWS Workstation used to load the
rundown. The monitor server also inserts status for video clips, such as
whether the clip is available, into stories in the rundown and event lists
located in the iNEWS database.
The MOS device operator can now take control of the MOS device and
take the show to air.
Figure3 depicts communication paths after the monitor server is instructed
to load playlists, status, and user messages.
Monitor Commands
(ON, LOAD, UNLOAD, OFF)
Messages
(progress, errors, warnings)
ON:
Get system info, Parse Rundown,
Build Playlist, Write Event List queues
(Available, Cued, etc.)
System Map & Resource queues
Playlist, Event Updates
Messages (progress, errors, warnings)
MOS Gateway
Retains all loaded playlists,
playlist & event status.
Distributes commands,
updated status, event
changes & messages.
deleted, or Modified Events
Event Status
iNEWS monitor
servers
ON: Watch for added,
(Machine Instructions)
LOAD: send playlists and
updates to MOS Gateway
After LOAD: Event Status
⇐ Device & Event Status ⇐
⇒ Playlist, Event Updates ⇒
Figure 3Monitor Mode - LOAD Diagram
iNEWS
Clients
Create Rundowns,
iNEWS DB
Rundown & Event List queues
MOS
Devices
Enter Events
18
Chapter 2
Preparing for Installation
This chapter describes the preliminary steps you must take before
installing the MOS Gateway software, including:
•Familiarizing yourself with this manual, release notes, and other
iNEWS documentation.
•Verifying required hardware and software components
This chapter contains the following major sections:
•Before You Begin the Installation Procedure
•Hardware Requirements
•Software Requirements
-Supported MOS Devices
Chapter 2
Before You Begin the Installation Procedure
Setting up MOS Gateway involves doing tasks in three places:
•iNEWS Servers (at the console)
•MOS Gateway
•MOS devices to connect to
n
You should consult the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations
Manual for specific information on iNEWS Servers, the console, or various
related system operations.
Before you begin installing the MOS Gateway software, do the following:
•Read the iNEWS MOS Gateway Release Notes for the most up-to-date
product and installation information.
•Familiarize yourself with the entire installation procedure described in
this manual.
•Ensure the installation CD is available.
Hardware Requirements
To install and run MOS Gateway, your system must have the minimum
base equipment described in Table1. For a list of qualified PCs, contact
Avid Broadcast Customer Support.
n
Minimum requirements are subject to change. For immediate updates on
hardware and software requirements, pertaining to this and all Avid
products, visit Avid’s Web site at: www.avid.com/products. MOS
Gateway information is provided as part of specifications for the iNEWS
newsroom computer system.
20
Software Requirements
Table 1Hardware Required for MOS Gateway
DeviceDescription
CPU500 MHz Intel Pentium® II
(multi-processor CPUs not supported)
Memory1 GB RAM
KeyboardStandard Windows-based keyboard
Monitor15-inch color
Video cardStandard SVGA 1024x768
Hard drive10 GB drive
Disk controllerIDE OK
MouseWindows-compatible mouse
CD-ROM drive4X CD-ROM drive
Network cardWindows-compatible 10/100 NIC
Software Requirements
There are certain minimum requirements that must be met to install and
operate MOS Gateway. They are:
•Windows 2000 operating system with Service Pack 3, or Windows XP
Professional with Service Pack 1
•iNEWS newsroom computer system (version 1.5.1 or higher)
•Internet Explorer 5.0 with Java Virtual Machine (version 5.0.3802 or
higher)
c
All iNEWS Workstations on a network using MOS Gateway 2.0 must
be running version 1.5.1 or higher of the iNEWS client software.
21
Chapter 2
Supported MOS Devices
The following is a list of supported MOS devices; however, this list is
subject to change. For the latest information, visit the Avid Web site or
contact Avid Broadcast Customer Support.
•Avid AirSPACE (CountDown)
•Chyron Aprisa (100, 250, and SSX)
•Grass Valley Group’s NewsQ Pro
•Netia Radio-Assist
•Omnibus Columbus
•Omnibus News Control
•Pinnacle FXDeko
•Proximity Xenostore (with Pinnacle FXDeko)
•Sony NewsBase
•Sundance Digital NewsLink
22
•vizrt Pilot
Chapter 3
Installing MOS Gateway
Program Files
This chapter describes the process of installing the MOS Gateway and
contains the following major sections:
•Overview of the Setup
-Adding IP Addresses on MOS Gateway Server
-Installing MOS Gateway Software
-Upgrading MOS Gateway Software
Chapter 3
Overview of the Setup
The following tasks must be performed on the MOS Gateway Server.
•Add IP addresses for the MOS Gateway and iNEWS Servers
•Install the MOS Gateway software
•Configure the MOS Gateway software
The first two tasks are described in this chapter. The configuration of the
MOS Gateway is in Chapter5.
Adding IP Addresses on MOS Gateway Server
Ideally, all MOS Gateway Servers, iNEWS Servers, and MOS devices
would have each other’s IP addresses and computer names. It is not
necessary to include IP addresses for iNEWS Workstations or other
equipment.
24
n
The monitor server communicates with the MOS Gateway software only if
the MOS Gateway Server’s IP address is added to all of the iNEWS
Servers’ /etc/hosts files. Procedures for configuring iNEWS Servers,
including adding MOS Gateway IP addresses, are located in “Adding IP
Addresses for the MOS Gateway” on page62 .
This section provides steps for adding IP addresses to the MOS Gateway
Server.
To add IP addresses to the MOS Gateway Server:
1. Use My Computer or the Windows Explorer to open the
\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc folder.
2. Double-click on the hosts file.
3. A dialog box may appear with a list of programs to use for opening the
file. Scroll down the list and select Notepad. Ensure that you uncheck
the box to “Always use this program.”
4. Click OK. The hosts file opens in a Notepad window.
Overview of the Setup
5. At the bottom of the file, add lines listing the IP addresses and
computer names for iNEWS Servers, MOS Gateway Servers, and
MOS devices. For example:
125.1.0.1NRCS-A nrcs-a nrcs-a.yourdomain.com
125.1.0.2NRCS-B nrcs-b nrcs-b.yourdomain.com
125.1.10.50MOSGWY mosgwy# MOS Gateway
125.1.10.51MOSDEV1 mosdev1# MOS device
125.1.10.60MG1 mg1# MOS Gateway Server1
125.1.10.70MG2 mg2# MOS Gateway Server2
6. Save the file and close the Notepad window.
c
When saving the newly edited file, ensure that it does not have a .txt
extension. The default options in Windows Explorer will not display
this crucial information. To change this setting, open Windows
Explorer and select Options from the View drop-down menu. In the
dialog box, check Show All Files and uncheck Hide file extension for
known file types, then click OK.
7. Repeat this procedure for each MOS device.
Installing MOS Gateway Software
This section provides information pertaining to installing MOS Gateway
on a new system. If upgrading a system already running an earlier version
of the MOS Gateway software, refer to “Upgrading MOS Gateway
Software” on page33.
To install MOS Gateway:
1. Insert the iNEWS MOS Gateway CD into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Open Windows Explorer. To do this, click the Start button and select
Windows Explorer from the menu, or press the Windows and E keys
simultaneously. The Windows key is the one with the Windows logo
on it, as shown in margin.
3. In the Explorer window, select the CD drive.
25
Chapter 3
4. Click the setup.exe file. The MOS Gateway Setup dialog box
opens.
26
5. Click the Next button. The Choose Destination Location dialog box
opens.
Overview of the Setup
6. Click Next to accept the default setting for the Destination Folder or
click Browse to set another drive and directory as the destination.
7. Select the type of setup:
•A Complete setup installs the MOS Gateway Server software, the
License Service and Remote Administration tool.
•A Remote Administration setup installs only the Remote Admin-
istration tool.
27
Chapter 3
8. Click Next. The Start Copying Files dialog box appears, allowing you
to review the your selections for the setup before initiating the copy
process.
28
9. If a change must be made, click Back to do so; otherwise, click Next to
continue.
Overview of the Setup
The Setup Status dialog box appears with a progress bar, indicating the
percentage of installation completeness.
n
10. The MOS Gateway requires the Microsoft® Java Virtual Machine, so it
is automatically installed next.
If Virtual Machine already exists on the computer, the installation program
will detect it and skip steps 10 and 11.
29
Chapter 3
11. After installation of the Java Virtual Machine is complete, the
following message will appear, notifying you the computer must be
rebooted.
Click OK. The computer will reboot and the installation program will
continue.
n
If installing the Remote Administration only—as selected in step 7—skip
steps 12 through 15.
12. If a Complete setup type was chosen in step, then Setup installs the
Microsoft Installer and XML Parser.
13. MOS Gateway installs a license server that listens on an IP port for
license requests. In the dialog box that appears, specify an IP port that
is not used by any other application on the MOS Gateway Server.
30
The default is 53211.
14. Click Next.
Overview of the Setup
The MOS Gateway License Server Key dialog box appears.
31
Chapter 3
15. If you received a license key from Avid with your purchase, you may
enter it. If not, contact Avid Broadcast Customer Support with your
customer ID and MOS Gateway Server hostname to receive one.
16. Type the name of the MOS Gateway Server, if necessary. Since this
information is typically supplied automatically by the setup program,
accept the default by clicking Next.
32
Overview of the Setup
17. After the License Server Key is entered, a dialog box appears
indicating the successful completion of the installation. Select Yes to
restart the computer, remove any disks, and click Finish.
Upgrading MOS Gateway Software
Before upgrading to a newer version of MOS Gateway software, any
previous version of the software must be uninstalled first.
c
Running the setup program on a system that already has a previous
version installed will not overwrite all the necessary files.
Additionally, version 1.0 of the MOS configuration file
(mosconfig.xml) cannot be used with MOS Gateway version 2.0.
Since the new configuration file will require editing after the
installation, print the old file as a reference before uninstalling the old
software and upgrading to a new version of MOS Gateway.
33
Chapter 3
To print the MOS configuration file:
1. Open Notepad.
n
The Notepad program may typically be launched using the Start button on
the Windows Task bar—for instance, select Start > Programs >
Accessories > Notepad. The Notepad window opens.
2. Select File > Open.
3. Navigate to the configuration file, which is an XML file located at:
C:\Program Files\Avid\MOSGateway
4. Do one of the following to print the mosconfig.xml file:
tSelect File > Print.
tPress Ctrl+P.
To uninstall MOS Gateway:
tUse the Add/Remove programs feature in the Windows Control Panel.
After all previous versions of the software is uninstalled, upgrade by
installing the latest version of MOS Gateway, according to the procedure
in “Installing MOS Gateway Software” on page25.
After the new version of software is installed, complete the upgrade by
using the printed copy of your old configuration file to edit the new default
mosconfig.xml file with your site’s <mosDevice> information. See
“Editing the Configuration File” on page78 for more information.
34
Chapter 4
Setting up the iNEWS Server
After MOS Gateway is installed, you must set up the iNEWS Server to use
MOS Gateway. This chapter provides the procedures for setting up the
servers.
This chapter contains the following major sections:
•Configuring iNEWS Servers
-Configuration Summary
-Configuration Details
Chapter 4
Configuring iNEWS Servers
There are certain tasks that must be performed on the iNEWS Servers at
the console, and at an iNEWS Workstation. If you have ControlAir™
(formerly known as iNEWS Broadcast Control System or BCS), much of
this work may already be done. These tasks must be completed to
download playlists and updates to MOS Gateway.
This chapter assumes:
•Your site has a fully functioning network.
•Your newsroom computer system servers are operational and running
the iNEWS Server software, which supports the MOS protocol.
•The iNEWS Servers are connected to a console multiplexor, to which
Customer Support technicians have dial-in access.
•The person performing the installation has attended an iNEWS,
AvidNews, or NetStation system administration course or has
equivalent experience. This includes having a working knowledge of
ed, the UNIX line editor, a familiarity with the iNEWS client
software, and selecting servers at the console.
n
It is highly recommended that you have an iNEWS Newsroom Computer
System Operations Manual available while conducting procedures found
in this chapter. Selecting servers is explained in Chapter 2 of the
operations manual and the UNIX line editor is explained in Chapter 10.
Configuration Summary
The set-up procedure has the following steps: Each step is explained
further in “Configuration Details” on page37 .
1. Creating a Monitor Server for Each Show (page 37)
2. Creating Composite and Event List Queues (page 44)
3. Set Up Queue and Story Forms (page 48)
4. Edit the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story (page 51)
5. Assigning Forms to Queues (page 53)
36
6. Create an Entry in the SYSTEM.MAP Story (page 55)
7. Adding IP Addresses for the MOS Gateway (page 62)
8. Updating the iNEWS System Dictionaries (Optional) (page 64)
9. Configure iNEWS for MOS Replication (Optional) (page 68)
Configuration Details
The following steps do not include setting up external devices, such as
character generators and still stores, which play broadcast events. Refer to
the manufacturer’s documentation provided with the device for more
configuration details.
The configuration procedure comprises the following steps:
Step 1: Creating a Monitor Server for Each Show
Monitor server is a utility program that checks a show’s event requests for
errors, creates composite and event lists, and sends playlists to MOS
Gateway.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
This section assumes
rundown queues for the
shows being monitored
already exist. If not,
create them before
continuing. Refer to the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual for
more information.
n
A monitor server must be assigned device and mailbox
numbers—typically, these numbers are the same. A device number is
chosen for monitor server so iNEWS recognizes the server as a valid
device. The device number must be entered in the system’s configuration
file. The mailbox number must be assigned to both the show’s monitor
server and its rundown queue.
A mailbox is an activation mechanism for a server (utility) program, so if a
queue has a mailbox number matching a server program, then that server
is the one activated or “awakened” whenever something happens to the
queue. See Chapter 14 in the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System
Operations Manual for more information on mailboxes and other server
programs.
37
Chapter 4
The mailbox enables iNEWS to notify the monitor server of changes made
to a rundown queue while a show is monitored. The monitor server then
updates composite and event lists, as well as any playlists, if necessary.
To create and configure a monitor server:
1. Check the iNEWS configuration file (/site/config) and choose
the next available device number for the monitor server, from the
range of 3-digit numbers reserved for use by your system’s server
programs, such as 201 to 300.
Valid standard mailbox
numbers are 1 through
4096. For more on
mailboxes, see “Using
Mailboxes” in Chapter
14 of the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer
System Operations
Manual.
n
2. Verify whether this same 3-digit number is available as a mailbox
number by doing the following:
a.Use the
the mailbox number you have chosen.
For instance, to check mailbox 266, type:
list mailbox=266 c
Information similar to the following appears:
DEV DEVICE_TYPE COMPUTER CCU PRINTER SPEED OPTIONS DEVNAME
For other list command options for determining mailbox assignments of
queues and servers, see “Using the list Command to View Assigned
Mailboxes” on page43 .
b. If you see the device configuration header (as shown in step 2a)
with no information below it, then no device has that mailbox and
you can use that number. However, if configuration information
for a device appears below the header, that device has the same
mailbox as the one you chose. Therefore, choose another mailbox
number and repeat step 2a.
list console command to ensure no other device is using
n
38
If the mailbox number is already being used, and you must choose another,
you may want to try another device number for the monitor server as well.
Typically, mailbox numbers match server program device numbers,
although this is not required. However, the mailbox number you select
must be assigned to the queue monitored by the server program. Multiple
queues can share the same mailbox number. See “Assigning the Mailbox
to the Rundown Queue” on page 42 for more information.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
3. Add the monitor server to the /site/config file on each iNEWS
Server—such as server A and server B in a dual server system— by
doing the following:
c
Changing the
configuration file
requires the use of ed,
the UNIX line editor.
See Chapter 10 of the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual for
more information.
Always back up the /site/config file before making any changes.
See “Changing the Configuration File” in Chapter 11 of the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual for more information.
a.At the console, select all iNEWS Servers. Instructions for how to
do this is provided in Chapter 2 of the iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System Operations Manual .
b. Use the ed command to open and edit the configuration file, by
typing:
ed /site/config
1259
After you press Enter, the editor responds by displaying a number,
as shown, indicating the file size expressed as the number of
characters, including spaces and returns.
c.Add the monitor server’s device number to the servers line in
the host definition for the iNEWS Server that will run the monitor
server program. For instance:
servers 261 263 265 267
The device number 267 is added to the servers line in this
example.
n
Divide your server programs evenly among your iNEWS Servers to
distribute the load they put on your system. For instance, put odd
numbered programs on server A and even numbered ones on server B.
Additionally, ensure that you also add the configuration line for the
monitor server to alternate host definitions for your iNEWS Servers. This
ensures it can run on the surviving computer should one of your iNEWS
Servers stop functioning. A sample configuration file is provided in
AppendixB; it includes pointers indicating where in the file information is
added, as described in this procedure.
39
Chapter 4
Do not confuse the
configuration line,
which starts with
server, and the
servers line
mentioned in 3c(page
39), which lists device
numbers.
d. Add a configuration line for the monitor server in the host
definition belonging to the iNEWS Server that will run the server
program. This line begins with the word server and contains the
mailbox number assigned to the monitor server.
The format for server programs’ configuration lines are:
server <device#> <type> <mailbox> <device name>
ParameterDescription
device #The device number assigned to the server
program. This 3-digit number must also be
listed in the servers line in a host
definition.
typeThe type of server program, such as
monitor. Others include: action,
distribution, parallel, keyword,
seek, and so forth.
mailboxThe mailbox the server program uses. Valid
standard mailbox numbers are 1 through 4096.
This number typically matches the server
program’s device number.
40
device nameTo give the monitor server a device name,
enter that name here (up to 8 characters). If
not, enter a hyphen.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
Comments appearing
after the semicolons (;)
are optional.
Do not use an
uppercase (W) in step
3e. See Chapter 10 in
the iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual for
more information.
The following are sample configuration lines for various server
programs:
server256action256actphon ;action svr
server257distribution 257devname1 ;dist server
server258parallel258devname2
server259keyword259key1 ;keyword server
server260seek260seek ;seek server
server261ftsseek261- ;fts searches
server262ftsindex262- ;fts indexing
server263print263- ;print server
server264monitor264- ;monitor server
server265monitor265- ;monitor server
server266monitor266- ;monitor server
server267monitor267- ;monitor server
e.When you finish making changes to the configuration file, save
your changes by typing:
w
f.When you press enter, a number will appear, such as 1279,
indicating the file size. You can then exit the UNIX line editor by
typing:
q
n
4. (Optional) Test your configuration changes. See “Testing the Site
Configuration File After Changing” in Chapter 11 of the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual for more
information.
After editing the configuration file (/site/config), it should be backed up to
tape. For more information about backing up site files, see the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual.
Before the monitor server can be used, two more tasks must be completed:
•Reconfiguring the system to incorporate the new device (monitor
server) into your system’s operation.
•Adding the monitor server’s mailbox to the rundown queue it will be
monitoring.
41
Chapter 4
These tasks are covered in the next two sections.
Reconfigure the System
You do not need to stop
anything to reconfigure
the system.
To reconfigure the system:
1. At the console, select the master computer (typically server A).
2. Type su to log in as superuser and type the superuser password.
3. Type:
NRCS-A# offline
4. Type:
NRCS-A# configure
5. When the prompt returns, bring the system online again by typing:
NRCS-A# online
A message similar to the following will appear:
A Wed Oct 3 00:18:58 2001 msg System being configured
6. After you see the System being configured message, exit
from superuser mode. (Ctrl+D)
Unlike other utility programs, it is not necessary to start a monitor server
when you add it to the configuration file. It starts when someone uses the
monitor on or monitor load command for the rundown queue to
which you have assigned the monitor server.
Assigning the Mailbox to the Rundown Queue
Mailboxes are assigned
to queues in the same
way other database
traits are—using the
Queue Properties
dialog box. See
Chapter 5 in the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer
System Operations
Manual for more
information.
42
After you choose the monitor server’s mailbox number and verify that it is
not used by another device, you must also assign it to the show’s rundown
queue, being monitored by the monitor server.
For instance, the rundown queue in the following procedure is
SHOWS.6PM.RUNDOWN , and the mailbox being assigned is number 267.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
To assign a mailbox to the rundown queue:
1. Log in as a system administrator—that is, with a superuser
account—to an iNEWS Workstation.
2. Navigate to the rundown queue, such as the queue named Rundown
located in the SHOWS.6PM directory.
3. Right-click on the queue and select Properties from the pop-up menu.
The Queue Properties dialog box will appear.
Using the list Command to View Assigned Mailboxes
Variations of the list command can be used at the console to determine
mailbox assignments for specific devices, queues, and so forth.
4. Click on the Maintain tab.
5. Select the Standard radio button located in the Mailbox section.
6. Type in the mailbox number, such as 267.
7. Click OK to save changes.
43
Chapter 4
Since multiple queues can share the same mailbox, you can list all queues
and directories in the database that are using a certain mailbox, such as
267. To do this, type: list mailbox=267 d
To find out which monitor server mailboxes are assigned:
tType: list c monitor
The system displays configuration information for your system’s monitor
servers, similar to the following:
DEV DEVICE_TYPE COMPUTER CCU PRINTER SPEED OPTIONS DEVNAME
S264 monitor A N264
S265 monitor B N265
S266 monitor A N266
S267 monitor B N267
NRCS-A:
The mailbox number assigned to each monitor server appears in the
PRINTER column and begins with the letter, N.
44
To see if any servers are assigned a certain mailbox number, use the
following format: list mailbox=<mailbox number> c
For instance, to check whether mailbox 267 is assigned to a server
program, type: list mailbox=267 c
Step 2: Creating Composite and Event List Queues
The monitor server scans stories for machine control events and builds lists
of these events, which can be referenced or used to transmit data to
production devices, such as character generators (CGs) or still stores.
These lists, known as composite and event lists, are valuable resources for
a show’s director and production device operators. An event list contains
details for a specific MOS device, while a composite list contains status
information for all devices connected through MOS Gateway.
You may want to create only composite and/or event lists for certain
production devices, such as MOS Gateway. If you do not create list queues
for some devices, the monitor server will not create lists.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
For these lists to exist, queues for them must be created—if they do not
already exist—and they must be “mapped” to the monitor server so it
knows where to put composite information and event lists. This step in the
procedure explains how to create queues. For more on mapping, see
“Create an Entry in the SYSTEM.MAP Story” on page55 .
To create and configure the composite and event list queues:
1. At an iNEWS Workstation, log in as a system administrator—or user
with authority to create queues in the iNEWS database.
2. Navigate to and select the directory (folder) created to hold the queue
you want to create.
3. Do one of the following:
tClick Tools > New Queue.
tRight-click on the folder in the Directory panel, and select New
Queue from the pop-up menu.
45
Chapter 4
A new queue appears under the folder you selected and at the end of
any list of existing queues. The title, New-Queue, is highlighted, so
you can rename it.
46
n
4. Type the name of the new queue, such as COMPOSITE or CG1.
The pathname of each device’s event list queue is a combination of the
event list directory and the device manager’s name. For instance, if you
want an event list for the 6PM show that has a character generator called
CG1, you may select to place the event list queue in the SHOWS.6PM
directory (as shown above). The pathname would be SHOWS.6PM.CG1.
Using the same example, the pathname for the composite list queue would
be SHOWS.6PM.COMPOSITE .
5. Press Enter to save the new queue name.
The newly created queue will inherit database traits of its parent
directory initially. You can open the new queue by double-clicking on
it. For more information about queues and their database traits, see
Chapter 5 in the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations
Manual.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
6. To have monitor server display information in these lists properly,
each queue must have a 1-line display and be assigned the proper
queue form. Assigning these forms is covered in “Assigning Forms to
Queues” on page53.
To set the display of any queue, such as a composite or event list
queue:, log in as a system administrator at an iNEWS Workstation, and
do the following:
a.Navigate to and right-click on the composite or event list queue in
the Directory panel.
b. Select Properties from the pop-up menu. The Queue Properties
dialog box appears.
c.Select the User Interface tab.
d. Set Preview Lines to the number of lines you want displayed in the
Queue panel.
e.Click OK to save changes.
47
Chapter 4
7. To ensure that you can use the queues effectively, remove the inverted
database trait and apply the refresh database trait to them. This can be
done by removing the check mark from the Inverted check box on the
User Interface tab of the Queue Properties dialog box at any iNEWS
Workstation.
For more information about assigning database traits to queues, see
Chapter 5 of the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations
Manual.
8. Assign a write security group to your event and composite list queues
to ensure that only the monitor server makes changes to the composite
and event lists. It is recommended that you restrict writing access of
these queues to superusers.
For more information on how to assign write groups to queues, see
“Group Traits for the Database” in Chapter 6 of the iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System Operations Manual .
After the composite and event list queues are created, the monitor server
must be created—as described in step 1 on page 37—and mapped to them.
This will enable the monitor server to determine the queue where the
composite list should be placed and the directory where the event list
queues are located. The procedures for mapping the monitor server to
composite and event list queues are explained in “Create an Entry in the
SYSTEM.MAP Story” on page55 .
48
Step 3: Set Up Queue and Story Forms
Add MOS Gateway fields to existing rundown queue and story forms in
iNEWS. These fields are explained in Table1.
n
For a field to exist in a queue form, it must also exist in a story form. Refer
to Chapter 8 in the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations
Manual for details on creating or modifying forms and other form field
types.
The relationship of fields pertaining to time calculations, such as RUNSTIME and MOS-DURATION, is explained further in “Calculating
Duration in Time Fields” on page50.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
Table 1iNEWS Form Fields for MOS Gateway
Field TypeDescription
MOS-ACTIVEThis field is required on the story form so a queue can display whether a
MOS item, such as a Media Browse video event, is attached to a script; this
is typically done by dragging and dropping the MOS item into the story form
from an ActiveX plugin. The read-only field holds a short code representing
certain attributes of a MOS item. If empty, no MOS item is attached.
MOS-TITLEThis read-only field is used to display a brief description—or title—of the
MOS item inserted from a plugin as a primary machine control event in the
story form. It is optional.
MOS-SUBEVENTThis field is used to display additional descriptive information only if the
MOS item is inserted as a primary machine control event in the story form. It
is optional.
MOS-DURATIONThis field is used by iNEWS to display the duration time of a MOS item
attached to a script through the story form. Whether any time appears in the
field depends on configuration settings in the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story
created and stored in iNEWS. The field is optional and its contents are only
used in calculations if the RUNS-TIME field is also present in the story
form. See “Calculating Duration in Time Fields” on page 50 for more
information.
EVENT-STATUSThis read-only field displays, in the rundown, the availability and play status
of a machine control event or any MOS item, as reported by the production
device involved. For instance, a video event could be reported as N/L (not
loaded) or OFFLINE, CUED,PLAYING, or STOPPED, among other things.
In forms for rundown and event list queues, only the status of a video event
can be displayed. In Machine Control Terminal (MCT) and ControlAir
Workstation forms, this field can also contain the status of CG and still store
events. It is optional.
ITEM-CHANNELThis read-only field is necessary only if a separate field is used to assign
channels—via the Assign Channel dialog (Shift+Alt+C) in iNEWS—for
playback of MOS items. It is optional.
RUNS-TIMEThis field displays the sum of time in the MOS-DURATION field and all
Runs times within the story, including those from MOS items inserted in the
story body. It is optional, but recommended when the MOS-DURATION
field is also present in the Story Form panel. See “Calculating Duration in
Time Fields” on page 50 for more information.
49
Chapter 4
Calculating Duration in Time Fields
Some form fields in iNEWS are dependent on others. This is primarily
evident in the relationship between the RUNS-TIME field and the MOSDURATION field. Figure1 provides a visual outline of how input in
certain form fields directly affects what appears in others.
Figure 1Relationships of Time-based Fields
In Figure1, three MOS items are inserted into the Story panel of the
iNEWS Workspace. Only one—MOS item C in the example—can be
dragged and dropped into Story Form panel; any additional items must be
dragged and dropped into the Story Text or Instruction panels. When a
50
Configuring iNEWS Servers
MOS item is inserted into the story, the time associated with that item may
be inserted too—either appearing in the MOS-DURATION field for an
item dragged to the Story Form panel, or as a Runs time shown in a
machine control event in the Instruction panel. Whether a MOS item’s
time is inserted is determined by settings defined in the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story. See “Edit the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story” on page 51 for more
information.
If both MOS-DURATION and RUNS-TIME fields are used in the Story
Form panel, then the RUNS-TIME field will display the calculated sum of
time appearing in the MOS-DURATION field and all Runs times from the
Instruction panel. The TOTAL-TIME field will show the calculated sum of
values from the RUNS-TIME, AUDIO-TIME, and TAPE-TIME fields.
n
Users may manually enter times in the TAPE-TIME field. The time
appearing in the AUDIO-TIME field is the estimated read time of the text
in the Story Text panel, as calculated by the iNEWS system, according to
reading speeds defined by the system administrator.
Step 4: Edit the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story
The SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story contains a section of information, known
as the DeviceTable, which consists of two columns:
•The first column has the MOS device’s mosID—reported by the
vendor's ActiveX control. It must match the <mos> value in the
mosconfig.xml file, which is installed on the MOS Gateway
Server.
•The second column has an iNEWS device name associated with the
mosID to display in machine control events in the story body. It must
match the <amcp> value in the mosconfig.xml file.
The following is an example of a SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story with a single
device listed in the DeviceTable:
If the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story does not exist, it must be created in
iNEWS as the first story in the MOS-Map queue in the System directory.
51
Chapter 4
The SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story may also be used to set up whether times
related to MOS items are displayed in the Queue panel (rundown) or Story
Form panel. It may be configured for all MOS devices or on an individual
basis.
For sites that do not want MOS item information displayed—in the RUNSTIME or MOS-DURATION fields—the system administrator must edit
the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story.
To block the display of time information from all MOS devices:
tAdd the following line to the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story in iNEWS:
ReplaceTime=NO
n
c
The line should precede the start of the DeviceTable in the story. If the
ReplaceTime value is set to NO, it will apply to all devices listed within
the DeviceTable.
To exclude time information from a single device, while allowing the
display of similar input for other devices:
1. In the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story, set the ReplaceTime value to
YES.
2. Append <noDur> to the line associated with the single device,
located within the DeviceTable.
The <noDur> tag must not be used at sites with workstations running
a version of iNEWS earlier than 1.5.1. Earlier versions of iNEWS do
not recognize the tag as a command to suppress the display of
duration information, but identify it as a channel for the MOS device,
whether the device uses channels. Users on iNEWS Workstations
running versions earlier than 1.5.1 may see <noDur> appear in the
channel list when loading the monitor server.
52
Configuring iNEWS Servers
In the following example, no duration time will be displayed for the
NewsQPro device.
ReplaceTime=YES
TABLE-START DeviceTable
;MOSID AMCPDeviceName
sony sonyem
MOSGATE qamosgw chan1 chan2 chan3
PILOT pilot
AIRSPACE airem
VERTIGO vertigo
NewsQPro NQPro <noDur>
NETIAMOS netia
TABLE-END
Step 5: Assigning Forms to Queues
After you create queues to hold the composite and event lists, you must
assign forms containing MOS Gateway fields to each queue.
n
For instance:
•Assign a form designed to display composite list information to
SHOWS.6PM.COMPOSITE
•Assign a form designed to display the information in a character
generator’s event list to SHOWS.6PM.CG1
Your system includes default forms—located in the SYSTEM.FORMS
directory—for composite, still store, character generator, and video event
list queues. If upgrading to iNEWS from a previous product version, such
as NetStation, you must update forms for composite and event list queues,
including rundown forms.
To assign a form to a queue:
1. At an iNEWS Workstation, navigate to the queue you want in the
Directory panel.
2. Right-click on it. A pop-up menu will appear.
53
Chapter 4
3. Select Properties. The Directory/Queue Properties dialog box will
appear.
n
n
Access to the Directory/Queue Properties dialog box and its appearance
vary, depending on certain circumstances. See Chapter 5 of the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual for more information.
4. Do either or both of the following:
•Use the Queue drop-down list on the Forms tab to select the form
you want to apply to the directory as queue form database trait.
•Use the Story drop-down list on the Forms tab to select the form
you want to apply to the directory as story form database trait.
5. If you made changes to an existing form, you must select the Update
existing stories to use story form. When this check box is selected,
iNEWS changes the story form assignment for previously existing
stories with the queue.
6. Click OK to save changes and apply the new queue/story form
settings.
Users should log off and sign back on to view the new queue/story form
settings.
54
Configuring iNEWS Servers
You must assign a queue form and a story form. The queue form
determines the look of the queue. The story form determines how an
event request is displayed when you double-click it.
For instance, to assign the standard composite list queue form to the
SHOWS.6PM.COMPOSITE queue, select mcs-composite from
the Queue drop-down list in the Queue Properties dialog box. To
assign a story form to this composite list, select mcs-composite
from the Story drop-down list in the Queue Properties dialog box.
n
The forms will only appear in the drop-down lists if they exist in the
database. For information about how to create your own forms or modify
existing forms, and about database traits, see the iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System Operations Manual .
Step 6: Create an Entry in the SYSTEM.MAP Story
The map story is a standard iNEWS database story and is always the first
story in the SYSTEM.MAP queue. It can be opened and edited like any
other iNEWS database story; however, access to it is typically limited to
system administrators who already have access to the System directory.
When you create a show’s map story entry, you will usually specify that
monitor server create and maintain event and composite lists when
someone monitors the show.
n
On a small system, the work required to update composite and event lists
could affect overall system performance. In these cases, specify in the
show’s SYSTEM.MAP story entry that monitor server should not create
composite and event lists, or that it create one and not the other.
After creating the show’s monitor server, add an entry for the show to your
system’s map story. This entry specifies to the show’s monitor server the
location of the show’s rundown queue, and composite and event lists.
Without this information, the monitor server will not create lists.
The map story entry also specifies the list of groups that can monitor a
queue, and when the monitor server turns itself off.
55
Chapter 4
To add an entry for the show in the map story:
1. Open the SYSTEM.MAP story, which contains a separate entry for
each show that will be produced using MOS Gateway or
ControlAir.
n
ControlAir is another Avid product that works with the iNEWS newsroom
computer system to control production devices, such as character
generators, still stores, and video playback machines.
Figure2 shows three sample entries in a SYSTEM.MAP story.
Each show’s map story entry must begin with a line called an entry header.
The entry header must be followed by a device list.
The entire entry header must be in a single paragraph in the map story,
and is limited to 255 characters. Any text that does not fit within this limit
is not read by the monitor server. If your site’s rundown, event list, and
composite list queue names are very long, you might have to shorten the
names to get them to fit.
You must specify the parameters in the entry header in the order indicated
in Table2 .
57
Chapter 4
Table 2Entry Header Parameters
ParameterDefinition
Rundown QueueThe full pathname of the show’s rundown queue.
Event List Directory(Optional) The directory in which event lists are
stored. The monitor server combines information
you put here with the device name. For instance, if
you specify SHOWS.6PM here and you have a still
store machine called “ss1,” the monitor server puts
the still store’s event list in SHOWS.6PM.SS1. It is a
good idea to use the same directory that holds the
show’s rundown. If you do not use this field, put a
dash here.
Composite List Queue(Optional) The queue in which the show’s
composite list is stored. It is a good idea to put the
composite list in the same directory as the show’s
rundown queue. If you do not use this field, put a
dash here.
58
Group of Users(Optional) Put a security group in this field so that
only superusers and people assigned to that group
can monitor the show.
Put a dash here if you do not want to restrict who
can monitor the show.
Consider using different security groups for each
show in a series of back-to-back shows to prevent
one show’s producer from starting or stopping
another show’s monitor server.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
Table 2Entry Header Parameters
ParameterDefinition
Quit TimeThe time you want the show’s monitor server to
turn itself off. You can enter this time as either a
time of day or a duration.
Enter the time of day in 24-hour format. For
instance, type 1915 to have the monitor server
turn itself off at 7:15 PM.
Enter a duration by typing D before the value. For
instance, enter a duration of one hour and 30
minutes as D130. (These values are not case-
sensitive.)
3. List the devices used by the show.
You must follow the entry header with a device list that identifies
production devices for which you want the show’s monitor server to
process event requests. See Figure4.
n
The production device name—which is shown as sony@mosgwy in
Figure4contains two parts. The first part that precedes the at (@) symbol
must match the <amcp> value in the mosconfig.xml file; in the
example, the value is sony. The second part of the name must match the
hostname of the computer with MOS Gateway’s IP address, as identified in
the /etc/hosts file on the iNEWS Server. In the example, the hostname
is mosgwy. A complete sample of the /etc/hosts file is provided in
AppendixB. See also step 7 on page 62 for more information on that file.
See Chapter5 for more information on the MOS configuration file, called mosconfig.xml.
The ControlAir Workstation form for that show, or
the MCT form for that
Figure 4Sample Device List
The address range
you want to use
(CGs and still stores
60
The last parameter of a device list line—Drive, Directory/User#, and so
forth—is defined in Table3.
Table 3Device List Line Parameters
ParameterDefinition
Parameters for Character Generators:
DriveSelect the disk drive you want the machine to use. If
you leave this field empty, the machine uses its
default drive.
Directory/User#Select the directory you want the character generator
to use.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
Table 3Device List Line Parameters (Continued)
ParameterDefinition
Address/StackSpecify a range of addresses in this field. The
monitor server uses this range to store the forms it
builds. To specify a range of addresses, enter the
starting address, followed by a space and the ending
address. For instance, to reserve addresses 1 through
199, type 1 199 in this field.
The range of numbers must be large enough to hold
all character-generated graphics—also known as
supers—that monitor server is likely to build for the
show. Also, ensure you do not select a range that
conflicts with the addresses the character generator
uses to store its permanent supers or CG forms.
Parameters for Still Stores:
DriveSelect the disk drive you want the machine to use. If
you leave this field empty, the machine uses its
default drive.
Directory/User#If your still store machine has user numbers, use this
field to specify the user number you want to use for
that show.
Address/StackSpecify the stack you want the still store to use in
this field.
Parameters for Video Machines:
Channel AssignmentThis parameter specifies whether the iNEWS system,
the ControlAir Workstation, the device manager, or
the video (cart) device assigns channels. Use these
codes:
0 to have channels assigned by device
1 to have channel assigned by iNEWS
2 to have channels assigned by device manager
3 to have channels assigned by ControlAir
Workstation
61
Chapter 4
Table 3Device List Line Parameters (Continued)
ParameterDefinition
Parameters for MOS Devices:
None at PresentPut a dash (-) in this field.
4. Save the map story.
5. Test monitor the show to ensure map story entries are functioning
correctly.
The monitor server only examines the show’s map story entry when a user
turns it on, so any changes to the show’s map story entry will not take
effect until then. Changes made to the show’s map story entry after the
show is monitored do not take effect until the next time the show is
monitored.
For this reason, you should monitor the show after creating or modifying
the show’s map story entry to test the changes you make. Monitoring the
show allows the monitor server to check your work and ensures smooth
operation when you produce the show.
62
Step 7: Adding IP Addresses for the MOS Gateway
To enable monitor server to communicate with MOS Gateway, the IP
address of the MOS Gateway Server must be added to all iNEWS Servers’
/etc/hosts files.
Ideally, all MOS Gateway Servers and iNEWS Servers would have each
other’s addresses and computer names. See “Adding IP Addresses on
MOS Gateway Server” on page 24 for more information. The following
procedures explain how to add the MOS Gateway IP addresses to the
iNEWS Servers.
n
To maximize reliability and minimize latency, MOS Gateway should be
installed on the Mirror Net of the iNEWS hosts, and static IP addresses
should be used in /etc/hosts files. This will avoid dependence on
DHCP or DNS servers.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
c
These steps require the
use of ed, the UNIX
line editor. For more
information, see
Chapter 10 of the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual.
n
Always back up the /etc/hosts file before editing.
To add IP addresses to all iNEWS Servers’ /etc/hosts files:
1. Select all servers at the console. Instructions for how to do this is
provided in Chapter 2 of the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System
Operations Manual .
2. Type su to log in as superuser and type the superuser password.
3. Type ed /etc/hosts
This command launches the UNIX line editor, and positions the cursor
at the end of the /etc/hosts file, which contains a list of IP
addresses, computer names, and comments, such as:
125.1.0.1NRCS-Anrcs-a nrcs-a.yourdomain.com
125.1.0.2NRCS-Bnrcs-b nrcs-b.yourdomain.com
A sample /etc/hosts file is provided in AppendixB.
4. Add addresses to the file by doing the following:
a.Type a and press Enter to append information to the file.
b. Enter IP addresses, computer names, and comments, such as:
125.1.10.50MOSGWY mosgwy #MOS Gateway machine
(backup MOS
Gateway)
c.Type a period (.) to stop appending information to the file.
d. (Optional) Type p to print the appended file and verify your
changes.
e.Save the file by typing w.
f.Quit ed by typing q.
The following example shows the UNIX line editing commands used
in step 4 along with explanations (appearing in parentheses after the
command):
a
125.1.10.50 MOSGWYmosgwy# MOS Gateway
125.1.10.60 MG1mg1# MOS Gateway Server1
125.1.10.70 MG2mg2# MOS Gateway Server2
.
p
(begins append mode)
(ends append mode)
(prints appended file)
63
Chapter 4
Do not use an
uppercase W.
w
362
q
(saves changes by writing the file to the disk)
(ed responds by displaying file size)
(quits the edit session)
Step 8: Updating the iNEWS System Dictionaries (Optional)
Machine Control System (MCS) dictionary files in iNEWS can be
modified to customize the appearance of status indicators from various
devices. Dictionary files are located in the /site/dict directory.
For instance, an Omnibus device, connected to iNEWS, shows a video
play-back status of “OnAir,” but the status field in the show rundown on
iNEWS shows “Play” instead. If the system administrator wants the two
status indicators to match, the MCS dictionary file in iNEWS must be
modified. This will “translate” the iNEWS status wording so that it
corresponds to what appears on the actual device.
Editing the /site/dict/mcs Dictionary File
In the following procedure, as an example, the term “Play” is changed to
“OnAir” in the dictionary.
To edit the dictionary file:
This procedure uses the
UNIX line editor. For
more information, see
Chapter 10 of the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual.
64
1. Select all servers at the console, so changes you make are made to
each server’s copy of the file. See “Selecting One or More Servers” in
Chapter 2 of the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual for more information.
2. Open /site/dict/mcs for editing by typing:
ed/site/dict/mcs
3. Navigate to the line with the word you want changed, such as “PLAY”
by typing:
/PLAY
The console will respond with a display similar to the following:
A_CAPLAY/PLAY
In the above example, PLAY appears twice in the line.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
n
n
Do not use an
uppercase (W) in step 5.
See Chapter 10 in the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual for
more information.
When navigating in the file, remember the UNIX line editor is casesensitive. So, typing either /Play or /play will not locate a line with
“PLAY.”
4. Substitute the new word, such as “OnAir,” for the second occurrence
of the existing word, PLAY, by typing:
s?/PLAY?/OnAir
The console will respond with a display similar to the following:
A_CAPLAY/OnAir
The question marks are necessary to prevent the editor from substituting
“OnAir” in place of the first occurrence of the word, “PLAY.” For
instance, typing s/PLAY/OnAir would result in the edited line
appearing as
/A_CAOnAir/PLAY.
5. When you finish making changes to the dictionary file, save your
changes by typing:
w
6. When you press enter, a number will appear, such as 1279, indicating
the file size. You can then exit the UNIX line editor by typing:
q
n
c
See Appendix C in the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations
Manual for more information about Dictionary files.
If you change your existing MCS dictionary files, you must apply those
changes by running the makemctab command at the iNEWS console;
however, any monitor servers that are running at the time the command is
entered will not apply the changes. The monitor servers must be stopped
prior to running the makemctab command.
A system administrator who knows the device numbers for monitor
servers can choose to stop just those programs; however, it should be
done only during off-peak hours, when the monitor servers are not
used to monitor on-air shows.
65
Chapter 4
To update your iNEWS dictionaries:
The prompt endings
change from a colon
(:)—indicating a
system operator
login—to a pound sign
(#)—indicating a
superuser login.
1. Select all servers.
2. At the console, type su to become a superuser and type the superuser
password. The prompts will appear as follows:
NRCS-A: su
Password:
NRCS-A#
For security reasons, the console does not display the password you
type.
3. Idle the system, by doing the following:
a.Type offline to take the system offline.
The
offline
command prevents users from logging in.
b. Type broadcast followed by the message warning users
already logged in that processes will be stopped. Include the time
the system will be shut down. Here is an example:
NRCS-A: broadcast WARNING!Log out in 5 Min.
The
broadcast
command broadcasts a message to all users logged in
at present.
4. At the specified time, select one server and type the command list s to check who is still logged in and which server programs are still
running.
command displays the device controlling the session, the
user account used for the session, and the server servicing the session.
In the example, the first line starts with an S, indicating a server
(utility) program, such as a monitor server. The 3-digit number after
the S is the device number.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
5. Select all servers.
6. Type logout all to log out all users. If a user is editing a story,
this saves the file and logs out the user.
7. Type list s again to check for connect session users.
The
logout all
currently in a connect session.
NRCS-A: list s
T101 stevens A
R801 stevens A
If any users are still logged in, notify them of the shutdown by some
other means, such as by telephone.
console command does not log out users who are
c
If a user is in a connect session when you shut down the system, the
user’s workstation stops, the session is disconnected, and any unsaved
work is lost. Ensure any connect session users have logged out before
you continue the shutdown procedure.
8. Type stop all to stop all server programs, including monitor
servers.
9. Type maketab -i to build command and message tables and
translate dictionaries for the iNEWS newsroom computer system.
10. Type makeccutab -i to build the command and error message
table for the PCU dictionaries and then display how much space is
unused in them.
11. Type makemctab -i to translate dictionaries used by monitor
servers.
12. Type restart all to start all server programs, including monitor
servers.
13. Type online to bring the iNEWS system back online, allowing users
to log back in.
67
Chapter 4
Step 9: Configure iNEWS for MOS Replication (Optional)
MOS replication requires some configuration on the iNEWS Server that
includes:
•Adding a COM session to the iNEWS Server license. Contact Avid to
purchase the COM session and have Customer Support add it to your
iNEWS Server license.
•Creating an iNEWS user account for MOS replication.
•Creating a write group for MOS replication.
•Creating device-specific queues to store replicated MOS items.
•Ensuring the correct database traits and forms are assigned to the
queues.
•Ensuring that write permissions are assigned to the group containing
only the MOS replication user account for all device-specific queues
that will store replicated MOS items. All other iNEWS users should
have read-only permission to those queues.
n
For more information
about creating iNEWS
user accounts, see
Chapter 4 of the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual.
68
Other configuration required for MOS replication, which must be done on
the MOS Gateway Server, is explained in Chapter5. See “Using the
MosAdmin Application” on page 91 for more information.
To create an iNEWS user account for MOS replication:
1. Log in to an iNEWS Workstation, using an account capable of creating
new users on the system.
2. Select Tools > Options > Users.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
3. Click New User. The Add New User dialog box appears.
4. In the User ID field, enter the login name of the user account, such as
MosReplication.
n
c
The User Name is optional and may be the same as the User ID. There is
no need to assign Home, Destination, or Mail queues to a MOS replication
user account. The User ID and password created in iNEWS must match
exactly those values entered in the <ncs> group of the MOS configuration
file. See “The <ncs> Group” on page 83 for more information.
5. Click Password to set the password for logging in.
Because the Force Change option for passwords is selected by default
for all new users, and MOS replication is an automated process, that
option must be removed after creating the account. See step 8.
6. Ensure Kill All Stories in the Queue Features section is checked.
7. Click Add.
8. Reopen the user account’s preferences and remove the Force Change
password option by doing the following:
a.Select Tools > Options > Users.
b. Type in the User ID and click Search.
69
Chapter 4
c.When the results appear, double-click on the name to open and
modify the preferences.
d. Uncheck the Force Change check box.
e.Click OK.
To create a write group for MOS replication:
For more information
on creating groups in
iNEWS, see Chapter 6
of the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer
System Operations
Manual.
n
1. Choose a name for the group, such as mosreplication.
2. Ensure the chosen name is not already used by the system by using a
variation of the gtraits command at the iNEWS console.
For instance, type:
NRCS-A# gtraits list mosreplication
mosreplication is not a user or group name
In the example, the system response indicates that mosreplication is
not being used; you should receive a similar response before
proceeding.
3. Use the gtraits add command to enter the new group name into
the iNEWS system.
For more information about using the iNEWS console, see Chapter 2 of the
iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Operations Manual. For more
information about the iNEWS Workstation and the panels of the iNEWS
Workspace, see the iNEWS Newsroom Computer System Training Manual.
4. Add only the MOS replication user account to the group, by doing the
following:
a.At an iNEWS Workstation, log in as a system administrator—that
is, use an account capable of accessing the System directory.
b. Navigate to the System folder in the Directory panel.
c.Open the Groups queue.
d. Create a new story by selecting File > New Story or using the
70
Insert key.
In the Queue panel, a blank row appears in the group list, and a
blank story appears in the Story panel of the iNEWS Workspace.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
e.Type the new group name, such as mosreplication, in the
Title (Slug) field of the Queue panel or in the corresponding field
in the Story Form panel.
f.Press Enter.
g. Click inside the Story Text panel and type the group name and
membership list in the following format:
group mosreplication
mosreplication
h. Select File > Save Story.
The above procedure creates a story, stored in SYSTEM.GROUPS, that
bears the group name and contains the membership list for that group.
The iNEWS system will refer to the story anytime its group is applied
to security measures or other system features.
To create device-specific queues for MOS replication:
For more information
on creating directories
and queues in iNEWS,
see Chapter 5 of the
iNEWS Newsroom
Computer System
Operations Manual.
1. Log in as a system administrator—using a superuser account—unless
you have write-access to the parent directory and queues. This ensures
that you have full access to the iNEWS database.
2. In the Directory panel, navigate to the folder in which you want to
create the device-specific queues. If it does not exist, create it, using
the Tools > New Folder menu option.
3. Do one of the following:
tSelect Tools > New Queue.
tRight-click on the folder in the Directory panel, and select New
Queue from the pop-up menu.
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Chapter 4
A new queue appears under the selected folder and at the end of any
existing queues in that folder. The title, New-Queue, is highlighted so
you can rename it.
4. Type the name of the device-specific queue, such as VIDEO.
5. Press enter to save the new queue name.
n
For more information
about configuring
database traits of
directories and queues
in iNEWS, see Chapter
5 of the iNEWS
Newsroom Computer
System Operations
Manual.
72
The newly created queue will inherit the database traits of its parent
directory initially. You can view the new queue’s properties by rightclicking on it and selecting Properties from the pop-up menu. All queues
created in iNEWS to store replicated MOS items must have the Batch
Allowed database trait and appropriate queue and story forms. Ensure
these settings are correct by configuring the queue’s properties, as
explained in the following procedure. If all device-specific queues for MOS
replication are located in the same folder, the properties may be set at the
directory level.
To configure properties of MOS replication device-specific queues:
1. Log in as a system administrator—using a superuser account—unless
you have write-access to the parent directory or queue. This ensures
that you have full access to the iNEWS database.
2. In the Directory panel, navigate to the queue and right-click on it.
3. Select Properties from the pop-up menu.
Configuring iNEWS Servers
n
To configure database traits for all queues in a directory, right-click on the
parent folder instead of an individual queue and then select Properties
from the pop-up menu. Make any necessary configuration changes and
ensure the check box labeled Apply changes to all subdirectories and
queues is selected before clicking OK.
The dialog box that appears will vary depending on whether you rightclicked on a directory or a queue.
4. On the Forms tab of the Directory/Queue Properties dialog box, ensure
the correct Queue and Story forms are selected. For MOS replication,
this is usually a form called MOSREPLICATION.
n
The MOSREPLICATION form is a queue located in the SYSTEM.FORMS.M directory of iNEWS. It contains three stories that
define the format by which MOS items are replicated—to the story form, to
the body of the story, or to both. If the MOSREPLICATION form and its
stories do not exist in the iNEWS database, the iNEWS system
administrator must create them, using information provided in
AppendixB. See “MOSREPLICATION Form” on page 127 for more
information.
73
Chapter 4
5. On the Groups tab, ensure the MOS replication group is selected as the
Write Group.
n
If the appropriate group does not appear as an option in the list, it must be
created in SYSTEM.GROUPS; the procedure for creating the group is on
page 70 .
It is not necessary to assign any Read or Notify groups; leave them set
to !<none>.
74
Configuring iNEWS Servers
6. On the User Interface tab, ensure that Refresh and Batch Allowed are
selected.
7. Click OK to save changes and apply settings.
n
Selecting and/or unselecting check boxes in the Directory/Queue
Properties dialog box does not apply changes immediately. Only step 7
does that.
75
Chapter 4
76
Chapter 5
Configuring MOS Gateway
MOS Gateway must be configured to communicate with various MOS
devices. This requires changes to be made in both the iNEWS Server and
MOS Gateway.
This chapter contains the following major sections:
•MOS Gateway Configuration File
-Editing the Configuration File
-Configuration File Components Explained
•Adding MOS Devices to the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story
•Moving the Configuration File
Chapter 5
MOS Gateway Configuration File
MOS Gateway must be configured with information about each MOS
device that will connect to it. This is done by editing the MOS Gateway
configuration file, which is installed on the MOS Gateway Server.
During installation, the configuration file, which is named
mosconfig.xml, is placed, by default, in the following location:
C:\Program Files\Avid\MOSGateway
n
c
The actual location may vary since the name of the folder—MOS
Gateway—and its location in the iNEWS directory can be changed during
the installation.
Before editing the configuration file, it is highly recommended that you
make a backup copy.
Editing the Configuration File
The MOS Gateway configuration file is saved as a Unicode file, not a
standard ASCII text file. You must use an editor that can process Unicode
files to edit it. The Windows Notepad executable program
(notepad.exe ) will edit Unicode files, so its use is recommended for
editing the MOS Gateway configuration file.
n
While MOS Gateway is running, the configuration file is locked by the
MosConfigService. Before editing the configuration file, ensure that MOS
Gateway is stopped. For more information on the MosConfigService and
procedures on stopping and starting MOS Gateway, see “Stopping and
Starting MOS Gateway” on page79.
To edit the configuration file:
1. Open Notepad.
n
78
The Notepad program may typically be launched using the Start button on
the Windows Task bar—for instance, select Start > Programs >
Accessories > Notepad. The Notepad window opens.
2. Select File > Open.
3. Navigate to the configuration file at:
C:\Program Files\Avid\MOSGateway
4. Make the changes you want to the file. For more information on what
can or should be modified in the file, see “Configuration File
Components Explained” on page80.
5. When you are done, select File > Save.
Stopping and Starting MOS Gateway
After editing the MOS Gateway configuration file, you must restart all
MOS Gateway services that run on the MOS Gateway Server. Those
services—in the order they should be started—are:
MOS Gateway Configuration File
See “MOS Gateway
Components” on
page100 for more
information.
n
Graphics for the
following procedure
show views similar to
those of Windows 2000
and Windows XP
operating systems.
Steps may vary slightly,
depending on the OS.
•MOSConfigService
•MOS Gateway Logger
•MOS Gateway License Server
•MOSReplicationService
•MOSRouterService
•MOSAdminService
When stopping services manually, the order is reversed. For instance,
MOSAdminService must be stopped before MOSRouterService, and so
forth, with the last service being MOSConfigService.
To stop and restart services:
1. At the MOS Gateway Server, click the Start button on the Windows
Task bar.
2. Select Settings > Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
3. Open Adminstrative Tools, then Services.
79
Chapter 5
The Services dialog box will appear.
4. Select the MOSConfigService.
5. Select Action > Stop.
This will stop all MOS Gateway services in the proper order.
6. Restart the services by selecting the MOSAdminService, then select
Action > Start.
This will start all MOS Gateway services in the proper order.
7. Click Close.
Configuration File Components Explained
In this section, lines of the MOS Gateway configuration file are shown in
groups; each group of lines is a section of the file that can or should be
modified to configure the MOS Gateway to work with MOS devices at
your site. The section pertaining to replication with a newsroom computer
system is located between lines with <ncs> and </ncs>. The section
pertaining to devices is located between lines with <listDevices> and
</listDevices>. Each group describing a particular MOS device is
located between lines with <mosDevice> and </mosDevice>. The
information that should be modified appears in bold. An explanation of
how to modify the information follows each group.
n
80
If only one MOS device is used, all other <mosDevice> groups should
be removed. This helps reduce the MOS Gateway’s workload.
The DIRECTORY_GOES_HERE should be changed to the directory in
which the MOS Gateway will save its log files.
The COUNT_GOES_HERE should be changed to the maximum number of
log files that the MOS Gateway will create before recycling them.
The SIZE_GOES_HERE should be changed to the maximum size each
log file can be, such as 1000000 (which equals about 1MB).
n
Socket logging can
affect performance, so
it should not be left on
all the time.
Specify values that will not overflow the available storage space. For
instance, if you set the maximum file count to 100 and the maximum file
size to 1000000 bytes, ensure that you have 100 MB of free space in the
logging directory.
The WINDEBUGTRACE_YESNO should be changed to YES if logging
should be sent to the global Win32 debug subsystem. This is useful if the
system has a Win32 debugger that can display statements in real time.
The SOCKET_ONOFF should be changed to ON if socket level log files are
required. Socket logging logs all incoming socket messages in network
byte order. The logs are used when a device is sending data that the MOS
Gateway cannot handle. Each connected device and port has its own socket
log, created in the logging directory, as indicated by the MOS
configuration file.
The file name of the log is created using the mosID of the device to which
MOS Gateway is connected and a string that represents the connection
type, according to the following format:
[mosID][space][LM|UR][space][NCSInit|MOSInit].bin
•LM means "Media Object Metadata port"
81
Chapter 5
For example:
VideoDevice LM MOSInit.bin
CGMos UR NCSInit.bin
SSDevice2 LM NCSInit.bin
The <tcpPorts> Group
<tcpPorts>
</logging>
The MOS_OUT_UPPER_PORT_GOES_HERE should be changed to the
port on which the MOS Gateway will send running order MOS commands.
The recommended value is 10541.
•UR means "Running Order port"
•NCSInit means the MOS Gateway made the connection
The MOS_OUT_LOWER_PORT_GOES_HERE should be changed to the
port on which the MOS Gateway will send media object metadata MOS
commands. The recommended value is 10540.
The MOS_IN_UPPER_PORT_GOES_HERE should be changed to the
port on which the MOS Gateway will receive running order MOS
commands. The recommended value is 10541.
The MOS_IN_LOWER_PORT_GOES_HERE should be changed to the
port on which the MOS Gateway will receive media object metadata MOS
commands. The recommended value is 10540.
Running order connections are referred to as upper ports in MOS protocol.
Media object metadata connections are referred to as lower ports in MOS
protocol. Port settings apply to MOS devices intended for use with MOS
Gateway. All MOS devices must use these same ports to connect to MOS
Gateway.
The NCS_ID_GOES_HERE should be changed to the NCS ID of the
iNEWS Server to which devices will be replicating MOS
objects—typically, this ID is identical to the iNEWS Server’s host name.
The HOST_GOES_HERE should be changed to the network host name of
the iNEWS Server to which devices will be replicating MOS objects.
Verify that the server with this host name can be pinged from the MOS
Gateway Server.
The ALLOW_YESNO should be changed to YES if devices are to replicate
data to queues on the newsroom computer system. If this line does not
appear in the configuration file, the default is YES. If set to NO replication
is prevented and MOS objects are dropped at the MOS Gateway.
n
The USER_GOES_HERE should be changed to the User ID that the
replication service will use to replicate MOS objects to the iNEWS Server.
This user must exist on the newsroom computer system and have write
permissions to the queues to which the devices will replicate their data.
The PUT_PASSWORD_HERE should be changed to password set for the
user identified on the <REPLICATIONUSERNAME> line. It must also
match the one set for that user on the newsroom computer system.
For more information on configuring the iNEWS newsroom computer
system to support MOS replication, see “Configure iNEWS for MOS
The MOS_ID_GOES_HERE should be changed to the MOS ID reported
by the MOS device. This ID identifies the MOS device to the MOS
Gateway and is used in MOS items placed in an iNEWS rundown to
indicate which MOS device receives the items.
n
Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation provided with the device for
more configuration details, such as the MOS ID.
The iNEWS_DEVICE_GOES_HERE should be changed to the iNEWS
device name for the MOS device. It is the same name that appears in the
SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story located in the iNEWS database. See “Edit the
SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story” on page51 and “Adding MOS Devices to the
SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story” on page95 for more information.
The NETWORK_NAME_GOES_HERE should be changed to the network
(host) name of the MOS device. Contact your network administrator for
this information.
The <roSlugMaps> Group
The <iNewsRunning
OrderName> tags
should be on the same
line in the actual file,
not wrapped as appears
here.
The group allows the name of a running order sent to a particular MOS
device to be different than the running order’s name in the iNEWS Server.
This is useful in cases where the MOS device provides a small space for
the running order name, such as the text on a button. If the entire group is
missing or a particular name for a rundown is missing, MOS Gateway will
84
send to the MOS device a default running order name, consisting of the
iNEWS Server name followed by a forward slash (/) and the iNEWS
rundown’s full queue name. For instance, if the server’s name is NRCS and
the rundown queue is SHOW.11PM.RUNDOWN, then MOS Gateway will
send the running order name as: NRCS/SHOW.11PM.RUNDOWN.
The INEWS_RO_NAME string should be changed to the iNEWS running
order name.
The MOS_RO_NAME string should be changed to a MOS device’s running
order name.
The <handlesEmptyStories> Group
<handlesEmptyStories>YESNO</handlesEmptyStories>
The YESNO should be changed to YES if the MOS device manages stories
with no items the same way it handles stories that do have items. Some
MOS vendors do not handle stories with no items as the MOS Protocol
specifies; for these devices, YESNO should be set to NO.
MOS Gateway Configuration File
For instance, Table4 gives the standard settings for two MOS devices.
Table 4handlesEmptyStories
MOS DevicehandlesEmptyStories Setting
®
Sony
MAV ServerNO
™
OmniBus
ColumbusYES
If the <handlesEmptyStory> parameter is absent from the file, the
system defaults to YES.
The YESNO should be changed to YES if the MOS device supports the
roStoryMoveMultiple MOS command; when set to YES, MOS
Gateway will use the roStoryMoveMultiple command to move
stories in the running order. The default is YES.
The YESNO should be changed to YES if the MOS device supports the
roItemInsert , roItemDelete, and roItemReplace MOS
commands; when set to YES, MOS Gateway will use those commands to
move items in stories. The default is YES.
The <prependPageNumber> Group
<prependPageNumber>YESNO</prependPageNumber>
The YESNO should be changed to YES if the iNEWS story’s page number
is prepended to the story title—commonly known as the slug.
The <prependSeparator> Group
<prependSeparator>-</prependSeparator>
The hyphen (-) should be changed to the chosen character used to separate
the story title and the page number. The default is a hyphen.
The iNEWS Server expects one of ten event status codes to be returned as
the status of a MOS item. Since the MOS Protocol specifies a string as the
status of a MOS item in the roItemStat MOS command, MOS
Gateway must map these strings to the iNEWS event status codes.
Furthermore, different MOS devices use different strings to mean the same
concept. The <statusTranslations> group specifies which string to
map to each event status code.
n
There can be multiple strings that map to the same event status code, in
which case, the relevant line of the <statusTranslations> group is
duplicated and each string recorded.
For instance: <statusCued>READY</statusCued> and
<statusCued>ON LINE</statusCued> may both appear in the
<statusTranslations> group for a particular MOS device. Status
codes vary with each MOS device, so refer to the manufacturer’s
documentation provided with the device for more configuration details.
The UNKNOWN_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device
reports if it is unable to determine the presence or absence of the MOS
item media.
The UNAVL_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device reports
if the MOS item media is absent.
The AVAIL_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device reports
if the MOS item media is present and ready to play.
The INCOMP_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device
reports if the MOS item media is partially present. An example is media is
being transferred from another machine and the transfer is not complete.
The CUEING_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device
reports when a request to cue a MOS item has been received.
The CUED_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device reports
when the MOS item media has been cued.
The P_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device reports when
a request to play a MOS item has been received.
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Chapter 5
The PLAYING_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device
reports when the MOS item media is playing or on-air.
The PAUSED_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device
reports when the MOS item media is paused.
The STOP_STR should be changed to the string the MOS device reports
when the play of the MOS item media has been halted.
group are configured by
the MosAdmin application, so there is no need to manually edit them in the
MOS Gateway configuration file. See “Using the MosAdmin Application”
on page91 for more information. The procedure for configuring
replication is provided on page 93.
The MOS item settings are optional since not all MOS devices have them,
but if used the ProgID values must be manually entered in the MOS
Gateway configuration file. If they are not defined in the configuration file,
then users will be unable to right-click on a production cue or story form to
open the ActiveX controls. For examples of the most commonly used
ProgIDs, see Table5 on page89.
If the settings are manually edited, then MOS Gateway services must be
stopped and restarted. See “Stopping and Starting MOS Gateway” on
page79 for more information.
The TRIGGER_TYPE may be set to MANUAL or SCHEDULED.
MOS Gateway Configuration File
The REP_TIME should be set to the time of day when MOS replication
should occur. This line is only necessary if the trigger is set to scheduled
replication.
The TRUE_FALSE value should be set to TRUE if all stories are to be
cleared from the queue in the iNEWS database before replication is
performed. If set to FALSE stories will not be cleared from the database
before MOS replication occurs.
The PATH_TO_QUEUE should identify the device’s queue to which Media
Object Metadata (MOM) is replicated. Each device must have a unique
queue; devices cannot share the same queue.
The XXX.XXX.XXX should be replaced with the ProgID of the ActiveX
Browser.
The YYY.YYY.YYY should be replaced with the ProgID of the ActiveX
Editor.
The ZZZ.ZZZ.ZZZ should be replaced with the ProgID of the ActiveX
Player.
Table5 shows the most common values for MOS item ProgIDs:
Table 5ProgIDs
AirSPACE
BrowserAvid.AirSPACEBrowser.1
EditorAvid.AirSPACEEditor.1
Aprisa
BrowserASTILLSTOREMOSACTIVEX.SSItemBrwsrCtl.1
EditorASTILLSTOREMOSACTIVEX.SSItemEditorCtl.1
PlayerASTILLSTOREMOSACTIVEX.SSItemPlayerCtl.1
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Table 5ProgIDs
GVG News Q Pro
BrowserGVG.XMOSCtrl.1
Omnibus
BrowserOmnibusODCLauncher.Launcher
EditorOmniBusItemEdit.Edit
Thunder
EditorThunderX.ThunderXCtrl.1
VizRT
BrowserVCPAxFiller.VCPTemplateFiller
EditorVCPAxFiller.VCPTemplateFiller
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MOS Gateway Configuration File
Using the MosAdmin Application
The MosAdmin application provides a graphical user interface (GUI) that
can be run locally or remotely to configure replication options for all
devices connected to the MOS Gateway.
n
Some configuration for replication must be done on iNEWS Servers. That
is explained in “Configure iNEWS for MOS Replication (Optional)” on
page68 in Chapter4.
To launch the MosAdmin application:
1. Double-click the MosAdmin’s shortcut icon—shown at left—located
on the desktop.
The MosAdmin window appears, with two tabbed options:
• Status – See Figure5.
The Status tab is a read-only tab showing incoming MOS objects,
being replicated from the MOS device to the iNEWS Server. This
information is also logged into text files by the MOS Gateway Logger.
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Figure 5MosAdmin Status Tab
•Replication–See Figure6” on page93.
The Replication tab shows a list of devices—obtained from the
mosconfig.xml file—and the current replication configuration
settings for each device.
Before the Replication tab may be viewed, a dialog box appears,
prompting the user for a password.
Type in the password, which should be the same one defined in the
MOS configuration file and used by the MOSReplication user
account in iNEWS.
n
The password is required to help prevent unauthorized use of the
MosAdmin application.
On the Replication tab, the trigger can be set to either schedule
replication at a set time every day or to perform replication manually
by clicking a button. Changing this setting alters what appears in the
Trigger column of the MosAdmin application and in between the
<trigger> and </trigger> tags in the configuration file.
A check box can be set to clear all stories from the queue in the
iNEWS database before performing replication. This check box
determines whether TRUE or FALSE appears in the Clear column of
the MosAdmin application, and in between the <clearQueue> and
</clearQueue> tags in the configuration file.
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MOS Gateway Configuration File
A Path text field specifies the queue in the iNEWS database to which
media object metadata will be replicated. The queue’s pathname
appears in the Directory column of the MosAdmin application and in
between the <path> and </path> tags in the configuration file.
Figure 6MosAdmin Replication Tab
To configure replication for a device:
1. Select the device from the list on the Replication tab in the MosAdmin
window.
2. Select the trigger type—either manual or scheduled. If scheduled is
selected, continue to step 3; otherwise, skip to step 4.
3. Set a replication time—this is the time replication is set to occur each
day, if the scheduled trigger type is selected.
4. Select the Clear Queue check box to clear the iNEWS queue before
replication. Checking the box is recommended.
5. Type the path to the device’s queue—created on the newsroom
computer system—where the replicated MOS objects will be placed.
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n
The path must be unique to that device because each device must have its
own queue for storing replicated MOS objects. Devices cannot share the
same replication queue.
The <roChannels> Group
<roChannels>
<roChannel>
</roChannel>
<roChannel>
</roChannel>
<roChannel>
</roChannel>
</roChannels>
A MOS device may have one or more channels. Users can specify a
channel to use for producing the show when they load a show to a MOS
device.
Channel names within the iNEWS Workstation are restricted to seven
characters or less; however, this limit does not apply to all MOS devices.
So, it is possible that channel names will vary accordingly. For this reason,
there is a group of lines in the MOS Gateway configuration file that maps
the iNEWS channel name to the channel name accepted by the MOS
device. The group consists of one or more <roChannel> lines, each
containing values on an <iNewsChannel> line and a
<MOSDevChannel> line.
The INEWS_CHAN string should be changed to a channel name no more
than seven characters long. This string is also inserted in the
SYSTEM.MOS-MAP table; for more information, see “Adding MOS
Devices to the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story” on page95 .
Adding MOS Devices to the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story
The MOS_CHAN string should be changed to a channel name for the MOS
device.
Adding MOS Devices to the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP Story
The iNEWS system must associate the MOS ID of a MOS device with an
iNEWS device name. This is because machine control commands in a
story must be associated with an iNEWS device name, so the monitor
server can load them to the correct device. The iNEWS Workstation uses
the association to create machine control commands from MOS items that
it receives from the ActiveX control associated with the MOS device.
The iNEWS system administrator creates the association by creating a
table in the SYSTEM.MOS-MAP story, located in the System directory of
the iNEWS database. The table has the following form:
The table contains at least two columns of names separated by white space.
The first column is the MOS ID of a MOS device; this must match the
name that appears for that device in the MOS Gateway configuration file
between the <mos> and </mos> tags.
The second column is an iNEWS device name, which can have no more
than eight characters; this must match the name that appears for that device
in the MOS Gateway configuration file between the <amcp> and </amcp> tags. See “The <names> Group” on page84 for more
information.
The table need not contain more than two columns if users are not allowed
to specify the channel on which the MOS device broadcasts the show.
However, if users are allowed to specify the channel, all available channels
for the MOS device must be listed in additional columns on the line for that
MOS device. If channels are specified, then when a user loads the show,
the workstation will display the options listed in columns 3, 4, 5, and so
forth. The user selects one on which to broadcast the show.
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Moving the Configuration File
MOS Gateway is configured by filling in values in the MOS Gateway
configuration file. A default copy of this file is installed in the same
directory as MOS Gateway executable files.
n
A sample copy of the MOS Gateway configuration file appears in
AppendixB. See “MOS Gateway Configuration File” on page78 for more
information.
MOS Gateway looks for an environment variable in the Registry of the
MOS Gateway Server to discover where the file is located.
To change the location of the MOS Gateway configuration file:
1. Click the Start button on the Windows Task bar.
2. Select the Run option.
3. Type regedit in the dialog box that appears.
The Registry Editor window will appear.
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Moving the Configuration File
4. Navigate to the following folder (also called a key):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SOFTWARE\
Avid Technology\
MOSGateway
5. Right-click on the ConfigFile value in the right side of the Registry
Editor window (under the Name column).
6. Select Modify from the pop-up menu.
7. Replace the existing file path with the one for the new MOS Gateway
configuration file.
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Chapter 6
Troubleshooting
This chapter contains information to help you recover from various types
of system failures. This chapter contains the following major sections:
•MOS Gateway Components
•Where to Look For Errors
-Error Categories
Chapter 6
MOS Gateway Components
MOS Gateway consists of three services (utility programs):
•The MOS Gateway Logger, which creates log files
•The MOS Gateway License Server, which controls the licensing of
MOS Gateway
•The MOS Gateway Router, which routes messages between iNEWS
Servers and MOS devices
•The MOS Gateway Replication Service, which controls the replication
of MOS objects from a MOS device to the iNEWS Server
•The MOS Gateway Administration Service, which is the delegate
between the MosAdmin utility and the MOS Gateway Router Service
•The MOS Gateway Configuration Service, which reads and writes to
the MOS Gateway configuration file
MOS Gateway consists of two utilities:
•LicenseManager, which sets and retrieves the license string
•MosAdmin, which displays incoming MOS objects, being replicated
from the MOS device to the iNEWS Server, and provides a graphical
user interface for configuring replication. See “Using the MosAdmin
Application” on page91.
Where to Look For Errors
Each MOS Gateway service writes errors in one of two places:
•Log files located in the Log File directory, as specified in the MOS
Gateway configuration file
•The Application log of events
Log files are text files, which can be opened with Notepad. To view these
files, open Windows Explorer and navigate to the directory where MOS
Gateway was installed.
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