Testbed Demonstrates How the Open Caching APIs Can Work Between Content Providers, CDNs, and Operator Networks

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#streaming--The Streaming Video Alliance (the Alliance), a global technical association developing solutions to address critical challenges in delivering a high-quality video experience at scale, has achieved a new industry milestone with its Open Caching Testbed Initiative, demonstrating the interoperability of the Alliance’s Open Caching APIs between multiple providers. With Disney Streaming acting as content origin, Broadpeak and Telefonica implemented several of the Open Caching specifications to demonstrate that the Open Caching concept and technology operate as intended and can connect caches from multiple entities involved in delivering streaming video content. This testbed also validates the Open Caching concept and the Alliance’s specifications.

“The open caching interoperability testbed represents some of the groundbreaking work our members are committed to at the Alliance,” said Jason Thibeault, Executive Director at the Streaming Video Alliance. “I applaud the Open Caching Working Group for their dedication to bringing this full circle from initial concept to a real-world implementation with potential to have a lasting impact on the streaming industry.”

With the support of the Configuration API and Capacity API project groups, the Alliance’s Open Caching Working Group has collected recommendations on how to cover specification gaps in a forthcoming document, Open Caching API Implementation Guidelines. This document defines the steps to build an Open Caching Network from scratch, and the testbed demonstrates the end-result.

The primary challenge the document and the testbed solve is providing a clear path for creating interoperability between different caching systems hosted by different companies within the streaming video ecosystem: content providers, CDNs, and Network Operators (ISPs). Through the collaboration of a content owner (Disney Streaming), a CDN Service Provider (Broadpeak), and a Network Operator (Telefonica), the testbed— based on the forthcoming guidelines document— demonstrates how a real-world Open Caching Network can be set up from scratch. This launch of the testbed represents an initial Open Caching Network architecture. The testbed will continue to expand with new Open Caching APIs as they are codified from specifications documents. It will also provide Alliance member companies an environment to test implementations with already validated systems.

The testbed setup for this first proof of concept included the following vendors:

• Broadpeak acted as an upstream CDN (uCDN) delegating the user requests to a downstream CDN (dCDN).
• Telefonica acted as the dCDN, responding to user requests for content.
• Disney Streaming acted as content origin.

“We’re very pleased with the testbed results, the first of more to come based on the newly defined Open Caching APIs. There are additional Alliance member companies ready to participate in trials and contribute to further developments on this front,” said Guillaume Bichot, Head of Exploration at Broadpeak and one of the Project Leads of the Alliance Open Caching Testbed. “While there’s more work to be done, we’re making solid progress and executing on our mission to provide a shared testing environment that grows along with the new OC specifications and permits members to start an open caching development from the ground up.”

“Telefonica has the vision of achieving real CDN interconnection so that Network Operators can distribute third party content in their own networks. The best way to achieve it is by co-leading this project of enhancing Open Caching specifications,” said Francisco Cano, Head of Telefonica CDN Architecture, Evolution & Optimization. “As an Open Caching system is comprised of different elements in different companies (Content Providers, CDNs and Network Operators), this testbed allows member companies to address its development with less effort and test it with others already present, contributing to the generalization of Open Caching as the reference for delivering third party content in our networks.”

More technical details about the Open Caching API testbed can be found on the Open Caching microsite at https://opencaching.streamingvideoalliance.org.

The testbed will be available according to a schedule of availability that will be provided to Alliance member companies. Only Alliance member companies will be able to access the testbed at this time.

Newly Elected Board Members Announced, Including First Woman to Join the Alliance Board

Alicia Pritchett, Strategic Account Executive, Media & Entertainment of Fastly, is the newest member of the Alliance Board and the first woman to serve in this capacity. Chris Hock, Head of Business Strategy and Development, Media & Entertainment at Adobe, has served on the board previously and was re-elected.

For more information on the Alliance Board of Directors visit https://www.streamingvideoalliance.org/leadership/board/.

Alliance to Host West Coast STREAMup in August

Now in its second year, the STREAMup series continues with its next meetup planned for August 31, 2021, from 12:00 to 1:30pm PT. The event is specifically scheduled to accommodate the streaming community on the West Coast, but open to all who would like to join.

To learn more: https://www.streamingvideoalliance.org/meetup/west-coast-2021/

Members of the Alliance include companies from across the streaming video ecosystem such as network operators, technology providers, service providers, and content owners. Current members are: Adobe, AfrolandTV, Agile Content, allt, Amazon, ATEME, Brightcove, Broadpeak, Buurst, CBC, Charter Communications, Cisco Systems, Citrix, Comcast, CommScope, Compira Labs, ContentArmor, Conviva, Datazoom, Deutsche Telekom, DidjaTV, Disney Streaming, Dolby, Eluvio, Equus Compute Solutions, Ericsson, EXFO, Fastly, Friend MTS, Globo, Harmonic, Hughes Satellite Systems, INKA Entworks, Intel, InterDigital, Interra Systems, Irdeto, KIOXIA, Liberty Global, Limelight Networks, Lumen Technologies, Mainstreaming, Nagra, NCTA, Neustar, Nice People at Work, NS1, NTT, Optus, Orange, Panasonic Avionics, Penthera, Plex, Qwilt, ServiceNow, Siden, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Sky, SSIMWAVE, ST Engineering iDirect, Stackpath, Starz, Streaming Global, StriveCast, Synamedia, Telefonica, Telestream, THEO, TNO, Touchstream, Unified Streaming, Varnish Software, Vecima Networks, Verimatrix, Verizon, ViacomCBS, Viasat Inc., WebKontrol, and Western Digital Corp.

The Alliance also sees participation from other brands owned by, or associated with, member companies which include Globecast, Hulu, NBCSports, Paramount, Peacock, PlutoTV, Prime Video, Twitch, Verizon Media, Viaccess-Orca, and Virgin Media.

For more information on the Alliance, the Working Groups, or to inquire about becoming a member, visit www.streamingvideoalliance.org.

About the Streaming Video Alliance

The Streaming Video Alliance is a global technical association addressing critical challenges in streaming video. By educating the industry on the technical nature of the issues, providing a neutral forum for collaboration across the video ecosystem, and publishing documentation that defines technical solutions, the Alliance is helping to improve the streaming video experience at scale. Over 75 companies including network operators, content rights holders, OTT platforms, service providers, and technology vendors – representing some of the biggest names in global streaming – participate in bi-weekly working group activities and quarterly face-to-face meetings. For more information, please visit www.streamingvideoalliance.org.

Amber Winans Bhava Communications 510-575-0492 SVA@Bhavacom.com