ViewCast Niagara 9100 Series User Manual

Niagara® 9100 Series User Guide

© 2012 ViewCast Corporation. All rights reserved.
ViewCast, Niagara SCX, ViewCast logo, SimulStream, Niagara, GoStream, Niagara logo, and Osprey

are trademarks or registered trademarks of ViewCast Corporation or its subsidiaries.
Microsoft, Windows XP, Windows, Windows Media, and Silverlight are trademarks or registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation
QuickTime, iPhone, iPad, and iPod are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
Adobe and Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc.

Disclaimer

The information in this publication remains the property of Corporation. Users may not use, reproduce, or disclose this information without
the implied consent and written approval of the company.

ViewCast Corporation makes no representations or warranties with respect to the contents or use of this manual and specifically disclaims any
express or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose. Further, ViewCast Corporation reserves the right to
revise this publication to make enhancements in the products described in this manual, at any time, without obligation to notify any person or
entity of such revisions or changes. In no event will ViewCast Corporation be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential
damages arising out of the use or inability to use the product or documentation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

ViewCast Corporation is not responsible for any third-party license fees that may occur with the use of our products by an end user including
but not limited to creating or distributing content. The user is responsible for any fees the Multimedia Patent Trust may apply for creating and
distributing MPEG content.

Warranties

For complete warranty details, refer to the specific warranty included with each product. General warranty information includes the following:
Limited Warranty: ViewCast warrants its hardware products against defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the period of

one year (12 months) from date of sale. Where specific warranties exist that provide coverage that is more substantial, notwithstanding the
warranty provisions herein, such product warranties control and preempt or supersede the warranty provisions herein.

Reseller Pass Through of Standard Limited Warranties: Resellers pass the ViewCast standard limited warranties for the products through to
the customer without modification. Any modification of a product voids the ViewCast warranties or any other existing or available warranty.

Corporate Contact Information

ViewCast collaborates and partners with various clients to integrate products into their individual environments.
Niagara Technical Support: Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone] or submit the technical support online request from the ViewCast

website.
ViewCast USA Support: Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Central Time. Typical response time is within one business day for customers

without a Priority Support Agreement.

ViewCast Corporation 3701 West Plano Parkway, Suite 300, Plano, TX 75075-7840 USA

Toll Free (U.S. only): 800.250.6622 website: www.viewcast.com

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Contents

Before You Begin ................................................................................................................ 1

Product description .......................................................................................................................... 1

Audience .......................................................................................................................................... 1

Conventions for this guide ............................................................................................................... 2

Rack mount safety instructions ....................................................................................................... 3

FCC notice ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Installing additional software .......................................................................................................... 5

Connecting to the Internet .............................................................................................................. 5

Environmental notices ..................................................................................................................... 6

Warnings .......................................................................................................................................... 7

Overview .............................................................................................................................. 9

Media system functions ................................................................................................................... 9

Install overview .............................................................................................................................. 10

Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................. 10

Package contents ........................................................................................................................... 10

System requirements ..................................................................................................................... 11

Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 11

Niagara 9100 series front panel ..................................................................................................... 12

Niagara 9100 series back panel ..................................................................................................... 14

Connecting the system .................................................................................................................. 15

Niagara 9100 series directional buttons ........................................................................................ 16

Niagara 9100 series home page ..................................................................................................... 17

Menu bar commands .............................................................................................................. 17

Niagara 9100 series browser windows flow .................................................................................. 19

Easy Setup ......................................................................................................................... 21

Web interface ................................................................................................................................ 22

Easy first time set up ...................................................................................................................... 23

Connecting to an electrical power source ............................................................................... 23

Performing the initial startup .................................................................................................. 24

Registering your product ......................................................................................................... 26

Connecting to an IP network ................................................................................................... 29

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Contents

Basic Operations ............................................................................................................... 30

Logging in ....................................................................................................................................... 30

Creating an encoder ....................................................................................................................... 32

Viewing all encoders ...................................................................................................................... 33

Starting an encoder ........................................................................................................................ 34

Stopping an encoder ...................................................................................................................... 35

Connecting an external storage device.......................................................................................... 36

Analog Inputs .................................................................................................................... 37

Adaptive Apple HTTP Live streaming encoder with analog inputs ................................................ 38

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 39

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 43

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 44

Adaptive Adobe Flash Dynamic streaming encoder with analog inputs ....................................... 46

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 47

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 51

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 52

Adaptive Microsoft Smooth Streaming encoder with analog inputs ............................................ 54

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 55

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 59

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 60

Adobe Flash H.264 encoder with analog inputs ............................................................................ 62

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 63

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 65

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 66

H.264 Presets ........................................................................................................................... 68

AVI encoder with analog inputs ..................................................................................................... 69

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 70

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 72

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 73

MPEG4 encoder with analog inputs .............................................................................................. 75

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 76

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 80

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 81

H.264 Presets tab .................................................................................................................... 83

MPEG-4 Presets tab ................................................................................................................. 84

MPEG-2 Presets tab ................................................................................................................. 85

Microsoft Windows Media encoder with analog inputs ............................................................... 86

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 87

Audio tab ................................................................................................................................. 89

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Output tab ............................................................................................................................... 90

DRM tab ................................................................................................................................... 93

Digital Inputs ..................................................................................................................... 95

Adaptive Apple HTTP encoder with digital inputs ......................................................................... 96

Video tab ................................................................................................................................. 97

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 101

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 102

Adaptive Adobe Flash encoder with digital inputs ...................................................................... 104

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 105

Adaptive encoder video stream table ................................................................................... 107

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 109

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 110

Adaptive Microsoft Smooth Streaming encoder with digital inputs ........................................... 112

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 113

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 117

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 118

Adobe Flash H.264 encoder with digital inputs ........................................................................... 120

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 121

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 123

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 124

H.264 Presets tab .................................................................................................................. 126

AVI encoder with digital inputs .................................................................................................... 127

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 128

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 130

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 131

MPEG4 encoder with digital inputs ............................................................................................. 133

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 134

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 138

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 140

H.264 Presets tab .................................................................................................................. 142

MPEG4 Presets tab ................................................................................................................ 143

MPEG2 Presets tab ................................................................................................................ 144

Windows Media encoder with digital inputs ............................................................................... 145

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 146

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 148

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 149

DRM tab ................................................................................................................................. 152

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Contents

IP Inputs ........................................................................................................................... 153

IP ingest ........................................................................................................................................ 153

Video tab ............................................................................................................................... 154

Audio tab ............................................................................................................................... 157

TS Container .................................................................................................................... 159

Streaming to a TS container ......................................................................................................... 159

Streaming ..................................................................................................................................... 162

Output tab ............................................................................................................................. 162

Encoder Groups .............................................................................................................. 165

Viewing encoder groups .............................................................................................................. 165

Creating encoder groups.............................................................................................................. 166

Starting an encoder group ........................................................................................................... 167

Stopping an encoder group ......................................................................................................... 167

Editing encoder groups ................................................................................................................ 168

Additional Settings and Features ................................................................................... 169

Configuring machine properties .................................................................................................. 169

Changing the computer name ............................................................................................... 170

Changing the login password from the factory default ........................................................ 171

Configuring alerts ......................................................................................................................... 172

Configuring network properties .................................................................................................. 173

Configuring network cards .................................................................................................... 173

Configuring IP address ........................................................................................................... 174

Configuring advanced network settings ................................................................................ 174

IP Route table ............................................................................................................................... 175

System configuration settings...................................................................................................... 176

Setting current system configuration .................................................................................... 177

Configuring email/SMTP settings .......................................................................................... 178

Configuring default directory setting .................................................................................... 179

Setting CPU thresholds .......................................................................................................... 180

Restore Niagara factory defaults ........................................................................................... 181

Viewing the activity log ................................................................................................................ 182

Viewing alerts............................................................................................................................... 183

Connecting an external storage device........................................................................................ 184

Using the Niagara SCX web interface........................................................................................... 184

SNMP ............................................................................................................................... 185

External SNMP Manager ....................................................................................................... 186

SNMP UDP Ports Used by SNMP Manager and SNMP Agents .................................................... 186

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

UDP Port for SNMP Requests ................................................................................................ 186

UDP Port for SNMP Traps ...................................................................................................... 186

Install ViewCast SNMP Agent Service .......................................................................................... 187

Installing for the first time ..................................................................................................... 187

Installing new version of ViewCast SNMP Agent Service ...................................................... 190

Install and Configure Supero Doctor III Agent Service ................................................................. 192

Configure Supero Doctor III SNMP Agent Service ........................................................................ 193

Disable health monitoring for devices not in use ................................................................. 193

Enabling health monitoring for devices not in use ............................................................... 194

Configure ViewCast SNMP Agent Service .................................................................................... 195

Configuring community names ............................................................................................. 195

Configuring permitted SNMP managers ............................................................................... 196

Configuring trap destinations ................................................................................................ 198

Configuring SNMP Agent contact and location (optional) .................................................... 200

Use UDP Port Other Than 161 for SNMP Requests ..................................................................... 201

ViewCast SNMP Agent Logging .................................................................................................... 201

Disable IIS Logging for ViewCast Encoders Web Service ............................................................. 202

ViewCast SNMP Agent MIB Files .................................................................................................. 204

Retrieving IP and MAC Addresses of the Encoder System .......................................................... 204

SNMP Examples ........................................................................................................................... 204

Query of system information (SNMP GET Example) ............................................................. 204

Start/stop an encoder through SNMP ................................................................................... 205

Start/stop all encoders per group through SNMP................................................................. 205

Start/stop all encoders in the system through SNMP ........................................................... 205

Start SNMP trap listener ........................................................................................................ 206

Appendix A: DRM for Windows Media ........................................................................... 207

Importing a DRM profile .............................................................................................................. 207

Appendix B: H.264 Advanced Settings .......................................................................... 213

H.264 Presets ............................................................................................................................... 213

Settings ........................................................................................................................................ 214

MPEG-4 Presets ........................................................................................................................... 216

Settings ........................................................................................................................................ 217

MPEG-2 Presets ........................................................................................................................... 220

Settings ........................................................................................................................................ 221

Appendix C: Mapped Network Drive Setup ................................................................... 225

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Contents

Appendix D: System Menu (LCD Display) ..................................................................... 233

System status menu ..................................................................................................................... 233

CPU ........................................................................................................................................ 233

Memory ................................................................................................................................. 233

HDD ....................................................................................................................................... 233

Operating System .................................................................................................................. 233

Network I/F ............................................................................................................................ 233

Monitor status menu ................................................................................................................... 234

CPU&Mem Used .................................................................................................................... 234

Up Time ................................................................................................................................. 234

Index ................................................................................................................................ 235

viii ViewCast

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Before You Begin

Thank you for purchasing the ViewCast Niagara 9100 series streaming media system. The Niagara 9100
is a high-density/high-performing multiple encoder platform for service providers, broadcasters, and
enterprises. The Niagara 9100 can be configured for a variety of video and audio inputs including HD SDI,
component, Y/C, composite video with balanced, unbalanced, embedded, and AES/EBU audio. The
Niagara 9100 models include:

 Niagara 9100-8A – Eight analog inputs

 Niagara 9100-2D – Two digital inputs

 Niagara 9100-2IP – Two IP inputs

 Niagara 9100-8AR – Eight analog inputs, redundant power (available soon)

 Niagara 9100-2DR – Two digital inputs, redundant power (available soon)

 Niagara 9100-4IPR – IP inputs, redundant power and redundant IP (available soon)

For the latest ViewCast product information and news, visit www.viewcast.com.

Product description

You can configure the Niagara 9100 with up to eight independent channels. The Niagara 9100 series
systems support live Adaptive streaming to Adobe® Flash Media Server and Apple® (iPhone® and iPad®
mobile digital devices), Adobe Flash® H.264, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, and Microsoft® Windows Media
(Silverlight®) standard and high definition, Microsoft Live IIS Smooth Streaming, as well as container
support for 3GPP and 3GPP2.

You can configure your system by attaching a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the system (see Easy
Setup).To control your system from another networked computer, use the client interface for remote
management software. The web interface allows you to set many other system parameters for your
Niagara system.

Figure 1. ViewCast Niagara 9100 series

Audience

The audience for this publication includes anyone who uses or administers the Niagara 9100. They
should have a basic technical understanding of streaming media. This user guide provides information
on the Niagara 9100 series only.

ViewCast 1

Before You Begin

Convention

Description

Example

Bold text

Characters to enter when
referenced in a procedure. The
name of fields or keys to press.

In the example, enter DTMF as
the group type.
Press Enter to save your
changes.

Note:

Provides supplemental
information.

Note: The prompt may not

display if …

IMPORTANT!

Provides important data that
affects how the system or software
responds.

IMPORTANT! You must install

Niagara SCX prior to
configuring SCX options…

CAUTION!

Provides information to help avoid
possible damage to hardware or a
system crash (without data loss).

CAUTION! Use case sensitive

commands to keep from
destroying…

WARNING!

Provides information to ensure
you avoid potential injury, death,
or permanent system damage.

WARNING! Do not touch

exposed wires.

Conventions for this guide

This guide uses the following document conventions to help you identify different types of information.

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Operating Temperature

The operating ambient temperature of a rack environment may
be greater than room ambient if installed in a closed or multi­unit rack assembly. Therefore, you should install the equipment
in an environment compatible with the maximum ambient
temperature of 40° C.

Reduced Air Flow

You must not compromise the airflow required for safe
equipment operation when you install the equipment in a rack.

Mechanical Loading

Mounting of the equipment in the rack should be such that you
do not cause a hazard due to uneven mechanical loading.

Circuit Overloading

Consider the connection of the equipment to the supply circuit
and the effect that the overloading of the circuits might have on
current protection and supply wiring. You must also consider and
use the equipment nameplate ratings when you address this
concern.

Reliable Grounding

You must maintain reliable earth grounding of rack-mounted
equipment. Pay particular attention to supply connections other
than direct connections to the branch circuit (such as using
power strips).

Rack mount safety instructions

ViewCast 3

Before You Begin

FCC notice

WARNING! You must connect this device and peripherals using shielded cables to comply with

FCC radio emission limits.

WARNING! Modifications to this device not approved by ViewCast Corporation could void the

FCC-granted authority for you to operate the device.

WARNING! The Niagara 9100 series complies with the limits for a Class A digital device

pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when you operate the equipment in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and may radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area will likely cause harmful
interference. In this case you must correct the interference at your own expense.

Note to CATV Installer: Pay special attention to Section 820-40 of the NEC that provides guidelines

for proper grounding. It particularly specifies that you must connect the cable ground to the
grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical.

WARNING! Equipment installation must comply with local and national electrical codes.

4 ViewCast

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Installing additional software

Niagara systems run an embedded version of the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system (OS), which is a
sub-set of the normal retail version. The Microsoft License agreement limits the use of the system to
what the machine is designed to do.

The Microsoft Update process is turned off by default to prevent interruptions during live streaming
events. It is also not advised to use a Windows 7 installation CD to add features to the system or the
system may fail.

You may load additional software on the system; however, ViewCast does not support this additional
software. You also need to ensure the primary drive is not full or the system will fail. In the event of a
problem, you may need to perform a Factory Restore, which returns the system to the original software
load. You may save the current encoder profiles and reload them when the Factory Restore is complete.

You can perform a Factory Restore at any time. This process returns the system to the software load
that came with the system. Perform a Factory Restore if the system becomes unstable due to installed
applications, viruses, etc. Please refer to the user guide for instructions.

ViewCast Support can provide assistance should the system fail to start. In most cases, you can restore a
system to operation without returning it to ViewCast. There is a fee in the event a user returns a system
due to applications the user installed or if the system failed because the primary partition (drive C) is
full.

Connecting to the Internet

Never connect a Niagara system directly to the Internet. ViewCast recommends taking precautions
against unwanted access such as installing Niagara systems behind a router or firewall. The speed of the

router or switch should match or exceed the speed of the system’s network card. See your network

administrator for recommendations.

ViewCast 5

Before You Begin

Product Disposal
Information:

Dispose of this product in accordance with local and
national disposal regulations (if any) including those
regulations governing the recovery and recycling of Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

RoHS Compliant:

ViewCast Corporation commits to compliance with the
European directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain
Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic
Equipment, Directive 2002/95/EC, the RoHS directive.

This product supplied to the European Union does comply
with the RoHS directive. ViewCast certifies that this
equipment shipped to the European Union conforms to
the 2002/95/EC directive.

For current RoHS statement, see www.viewcast.com.

Environmental notices

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Warnings

Only trained and qualified personnel should install, replace, or service this system.

Do not attempt to open the case of the system. If you do so, you incur a high risk of electrical shock that
may cause damage to the system or personal physical injury or death to you and/or others. No user­serviceable parts exist inside the system. If you open the system case or make unauthorized changes to
the case, ViewCast voids your warranty.

Install the system away from any heat sources. This remains vital to the safety of the product users. Do
not install the system near any heat sources such as:

 Radiators

 Heat registers

 Stoves

 Other heat-producing equipment

WARNING! Installing the system near heat sources could result in personal injury or death.
WARNING! Never insert objects of any kind into the system through any system openings, as the

objects may touch dangerous voltage points, short out parts, and result in a risk of fire or
electrical shock.

Do not stack the system atop or below other electronic devices as this can cause heat build-up and
vibration of the system. These conditions can damage the system thereby voiding the limited warranty.

Do not install the system in any area where the temperature is less than 5°C or more than 40°C. Transfer
from temperature extremes may cause condensation. Let the system remain unplugged at room
temperature for at least 45 minutes before connecting it.

Use an outlet with surge suppression or ground fault protection when using the system. Unplug the
power cord from the wall outlet, disconnect the network connection, and disconnect the lines between
the system and the video source for added protection:

 During a lightning storm

 During dangerous weather conditions

 When the encoder remains unattended or unused for long periods

Reduce the risk of fire or electric shock. Do not expose the system to any rain or moisture. Exposing the
system to rain or other types of moisture could result in system damages. Do not place any liquids on or
near the system. If you place liquids in any form on or near the system, do so at your own risk, for you
incur a high risk of electrical shock that could occur and cause damage to the system.

WARNING! Exposing the system to rain or other types of moisture could result in physical injury or

death. Any liquids on or near the system may result in electrical shock and personal injury or
death.

ViewCast 7

Before You Begin

Refer all servicing to authorized service personnel. You must have authorized personnel only service any
damaged system. Relevant damage may occur with but is not limited to the following:

 An unplugged or damaged power supply cord

 Spilled liquid on the system

 Fallen objects in or on the system

 System exposure to rain or other moisture or liquid

 Failure to perform as described in the User Guide

 A dropped system

ViewCast assumes no liability or responsibility for any damaged system that clients continue using.

Use only attachments, accessories, or equipment specified by the manufacturer with the system. Using
accessories or attachments not recommended by the encoder manufacturer voids the Limited
Warranty.

Do not attempt to service the system yourself. If you open or remove covers, you may be exposed to
dangerous voltage. Such action voids the Limited Warranty. Refer all servicing issues to authorized
service personnel only.

The plug-socket combination that serves as the main disconnecting device must be accessible at all
times.

Protect the power cord from anyone walking on it and being strained or pinched particularly at plugs,
electrical receptacles, and the point where the power cord exits the system.

Do not use adapter plugs or remove the grounding prong from the power cable.

Use only the type of power source indicated on the marking label on the back panel of the unit to
operate the system. Unplug the system power cord by gripping the plug and removing it from the power
source. Do not pull the cord to remove the power source from the system.

Do not plug the system into a wall outlet that contains an overload of electrical cords or power
strips/extension cords. This type of overload may result in fire or electrical shock risks.

Always handle the system carefully. Always avoid excessive shock and vibration to the system. Excessive
shock or vibration can damage the system.

WARNING! Excessive shock or vibration to the system may result in electrical shock and personal

injury or death.

8 ViewCast

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Overview

Before you can use your Niagara 9100 series streaming media system, you first need to set up and
configure it. This chapter is dedicated to providing you with the details and step-by-step instructions you
need to make your installation as quick-and-easy as possible.

All you need to get started are the four following requirements:

 AC power source (100 - 240 V)
 Your audio and video source (such as a camera, video player, or other audiovisual output device)
 A streaming media server or hosting provider
 IP connection and/or Internet connection

The Niagara 9100 series are easy-to-use streaming systems that allow you to:

 Connect to a compatible browser on a dynamic host configuration protocol/domain name server (DHCP/DNS)

network.

 Configure and connect your audio and video source to the Niagara system.
 Select your output formats and streaming settings.
 Enter your streaming server information.
 Start streaming your media.

Use the web interface for setting options and controlling your Niagara system from another networked
computer, as well as options that are more advanced.

Note: Read the information in this section before connecting the system to the power source.

Media system functions

Although it has many features and capabilities, the Niagara series streaming media systems perform the
following functions:

 Supports both Multi-Program Transport Stream (MPTS) and Single Program Transport Stream (SPTS).
 Accepts digital standard definition (SD) or high definition (HD) SDI video and a variety of digital and analog audio

inputs depending on the configuration of your system

 Encodes the signals into digital IP video formats
 Delivers the IP audio and video content over an IP network and can save an archival copy

ViewCast 9

Overview

System

 Niagara streaming media system

Power Cables

 One of the following:

o North America power cable (110 vac)
o International power cable (220 vac)
o UK power cable (220 vac)

Hardware

 1 pair rack slide rails

Guides

 Package insert (end-user license agreement)
 User guide (on CD in PDF format)

Software

 Niagara product CD

Install overview

You must complete the following primary tasks to install the Niagara system:

1. Address and comply with all prerequisites.

2. Connect the Niagara system using its power source.

3. Connect the video source (camera or video recorder) to the system.

4. Connect the system to an IP network.

5. Configure the Niagara system.

Prerequisites

Before installing and connecting the Niagara system, ensure you comply with the following
prerequisites:

 All packaged items are undamaged and in working order.
 Your environment meets all system requirements.
 Safety instructions, notices, and warnings detailed in Before You Begin including:

o Rack Mount Safety Instructions

o FCC Notice

o Environmental Notices

o Warnings

Package contents

Completely unpack all contents from the box and inspect each item for damage. Ensure that you have all
the components listed below:

If any components are missing or damaged, do not continue with the installation. Contact the ViewCast
reseller from which you purchased your Niagara system for assistance in obtaining any missing parts or
for parts replacement.

10 ViewCast

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

System requirements

Ensure your computer meets the following system requirements.

 Browser interface  Any Firefox or Internet Explorer (IE)-based computer, workstation, or laptop

that interfaces to a dynamic host configuration protocol/domain name server (DHCP/DNS)­compatible network

 User Interface  High-speed Internet and dial-up users

Specifications

 Multi-core processors

 500 GB SATA HDD

 1U rack mount system (1RU x 17” W x 25.6” D)

 41 lbs (18.6 Kgs)

 560 W power supply

ViewCast 11

Overview

A.

The LCD display shows the system menu and allows you to perform basic functions.

B.

Press this button to Cancel a system menu action.

C.

Press this button to Enter or accept a system menu action.

D.

Directional buttons enable you to maneuver through the system menu (see Niagara 9100
series ).

E.

LED light illuminates when you press the UID (unit identifier) button on the rear of the
chassis. This function is for easy system location in large stack configurations.

F.

Indicator light flashes when there is network activity on LAN1 or LAN2.

G.

Indicator light flashes when there is SATA and/or USB port activity.

H.

Light indicates power is being supplied to the system’s power supply units. This LED should

normally be illuminated when the system is operating.

I.

Locks the cover on the Niagara 9100. (Key is included.)

J.

Press this button to release the front cover from the Niagara 9100.

Note: If you remove the front cover and then place it back, the LCD display will no longer

show the system menu. To restart the LCD display, you can reboot the system or using a
monitor connected to the system:

1. Click the Windows start icon.

2. Click All Programs  Startup  LCDMainUI.bat. The system menu displays.

K.

Hard-drive bays. Pull the lever to release the bay.

WARNING! The hard drives are not hot swappable. Trying to hot swap can damage the

system.

L.

Dual USB ports allow the export of files to USB storage devices, installing updates or
firmware, or connecting USB devices.

M.

Press this unit identifier (UID) button to illuminate the LED on both the front and rear of the
machine. The LED remains lit until you push the button a second time.

N.

Universal information LED light:

Niagara 9100 series front panel

You should familiarize yourself with the front panel controls for the Niagara 9100 series. Remove the
front panel to access additional functionality such as USB ports and the power button. Figure 2 and the
table below illustrate the buttons and lights that constitute the front panel functions.

Figure 2. Niagara 9100 series front panel

12 ViewCast

Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

 Fast blinking red – fan failure
 Slow blinking red – power failure
 Solid red – CPU overheat
 Solid blue – Local UID button depressed
 Blinking blue – IPMI-activated UID

O.

Press the reset button to reboot the system.

P.

The main power button is used to turn off the power supply to the server system. Turning off
system power removes the main power but keeps standby power supplied to the system.

ViewCast 13

Overview

A.

Provides system power.

B.

Use this port to connect a PS/2 mouse.

C.

Use this port to connect a PS/2 keyboard.

D.

Use these ports to connect USB control devices, such as a USB memory device, keyboard,
and mouse.

E.

Use this port for an IPMI LAN connection.

F.

A COM1 RS232

G.

Use this auxiliary VGA output port to connect an external VGA monitor so you can view the
operating system interface.

H.

Dual Ethernet ports provide redundant connections to your network.

I.

Press this unit identifier (UID) button to illuminate the LED on both the front and rear of
the machine. The LED remains lit until you push the button a second time.

J.

Connect the video and audio.

Niagara 9100 series back panel

Figure 3 illustrates all connectors and other components of the Niagara 9100 series back panel. The
connectors vary depending on the Osprey capture card installed. Figure 3 depicts the Niagara 9100-2D
model.

Figure 3. Niagara 9100 series back panel

Depending on the Niagara 9100 series model, the back may have additional components. For example,
Figure 4 depicts the Niagara 9100-4IPR with redundant power supply and IP connectors.

Figure 4. Niagara 9100-4IPR

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

1.

Connect the appropriate video and audio connectors (item J on Figure 3).

2.

Connect the power AC adaptor (item A on Figure 3). For redundant models, two AC power
connectors are available (Figure 4).

3.

Attach the system to the network input (item H on Figure 3).

4.

Press Power (item P on Figure 2).

Connecting the system

The following steps refer to a direct connection to the Niagara 9100 series systems only.

Note: The redundant models include hot swappable power supply modules.

To connect the system:

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Overview

1.

Press any of the four-directional buttons until the desired status menu displays.

2.

Press Enter. The status displays.

Note: Press Cancel to return to the main menu.

Niagara 9100 series directional buttons

The Niagara 9100 series directional buttons (Figure 5) are located on front panel. The buttons direct the
system menu that is also on the front panel. The menu allows you to view the status of the system and
monitor. The system menu displays automatically when the Niagara 9100 is booted up. See Appendix D:
System Menu (LCD Display) for a complete reference guide to the functions available through the system
menu.

Figure 5. Directional buttons

To use the directional buttons:

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Menu

Command

Function

Home

 View general administrative information about

the Niagara system.

 Use the menu bar commands.

Encoders

 All Encoders – View the encoder profiles.
 Groups – Manage specific encoder groups that

have one or more encoders assigned.

Configuration

 Machine Properties – View details on the

machine properties including the network
name, serial number, and all software versions
installed.

 Alerts – Modify the settings to control how the

system manages application alerts that occur
during normal operations or streaming.

 Network Properties – View information on the

network properties and addresses for both NIC
ports and modify these properties.

 IP Route Table – Add or delete IP destinations.
 System Configuration – Modify the system

configuration including setup for email alerts
from the Niagara system whenever it

Niagara 9100 series home page

The home page (Figure 6) is the first page presented after you log into the Niagara SCX remote
management software. From this page, you can access the different windows for configuring,
controlling, and monitoring the activities and alerts of the Niagara system.

Figure 6. Series home page

Menu bar commands

The home page menu bar allows you to use the commands described in the table below.

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Overview

Menu

Command

Function

encounters an operation error.

Status

 View Activity Log – View all system activities

including the time and date of each event.

 View Alerts – View all alerts including the time

and date of each alert.

Maintenance

 Product Registration – Register your Niagara

system to protect your investment.

Log Out

 Log out of the system and return to the login

screen.

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Niagara 9100 series browser windows flow

Figure 7 shows the interrelationship and flow of the available configuration windows you may use to
configure the Niagara 9100 system.

Figure 7. Niagara 9100 series browser windows

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Overview

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Niagara 9100 Series User Guide

Easy Setup

You should perform most setup and operations by accessing the web interface from a computer that
resides on the same network as your Niagara system.

The web interface provides the ability to control your Niagara system remotely from a computer that can
be rooms or continents away from the system if both your Niagara system and the computer have
Internet access to communicate with each other.

The easy setup option explores the optimal configurations for the novice user to set up the Niagara system
easily and quickly. Easy set up includes actions you can perform on your Niagara system using the web
interface to include configuring the following:

 Encoder settings

 Groups

 Network properties

 Machine properties

 System properties

 System alerts

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Easy Setup

Web interface

The web interface presents a logical flow of configuration information for the encoding system. Refer to
Figure 7 for a diagram and menu bar commands, which include:

 Home

 Encoders

o All Encoders including Encoder Properties
o Groups

 Configuration

o Niagara Properties
o Alerts including Settings
o Network Properties
o IP Route
o System Configuration

 Status

o Activity Log
o Alerts

 Maintenance

o Product Registration

 Log Out

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