MAG Theory: Overview

System Overview

Virtual Database: Generation Technologies has been in the relational database business from the very beginning; we were first in the industry to support Microsoft SQL Server!  Today, our database technology is so advanced that even our competition licenses it. Unmatched is our ability to build scalable systems that utilize virtualized database technology. Each server on our system has its own local physical database for stability; however, every server operates off a common data set or virtual database.  This data is maintained through advanced replication logic, FEC, and integrity validations to ensure that data is consistent even across thousands of nodes. This technology has been proven in the field for over 5 years, and designed for satellite and terrestrial IP networks.  In addition, you can operate the system from any node on your network, or anywhere you have a broadband internet connection (with a secure VPN).

Media Agnostic: One key difference between our solutions and the rest of the market, we don’t stipulate a native format. While we certainly have recommendations, we have designed all of our components to work with nearly any digital media formats you choose. Our system tracks all media history including an unlimited number of media copies with different formats, bit rates, or loss generations to ensure the best copy is used for all operations. Why is this important? It allows us to integrate into nearly any workflow without significant cost or generational loss concerns, and ensures you can continually take advantage of the latest CODECs as they are improved and standardized.

NIM™ Core: The typical system design centers on “n” number of NIM™ Cores™. These cores are generally the centralized point of collection and distribution; however, cores can be decentralized to provide regional load distribution and physical diversity. Generally cores are implemented in a clustered configuration that includes redundant and load-balanced hardware to ensure maximum system availability. Cores are comprised of several server components that facilitate the collection, transcode, archive, edit, distribution, and protection of media (see our Record Room product for tightly integrated media encoding/ingest functionality, or our LiveWire™ product for tightly integrated news wire management features).

Edge Nodes: Affiliate servers act as an extension of the Cores. Each server is unique to the network and receives a complete database load upon initialization. From day one, each edge server has access to search and manage all distributed and archive content for which the user has privilege. Affiliates can search, preview, playout, request from archive, dub-in, contribute to the network, share with their station group, and file transfer media with their newsroom systems without software installation on any affiliate workstations. In addition, all IP network connections are initiated outbound from the Affiliate Server to eliminate firewall changes for your affiliates.

Hardware: With over 30 years of experience in broadcast news, we are very focused on system stability and longevity. To this end, we base system hardware upon enterprise grade standard Dell sever hardware, and partner with Dell to integrate all hardware at Dell’s Six Sigma build facilities. This guarantees system stability and service no other vendor can begin to match; in fact our systems arrive directly to your site built and warranted by Dell. This means, no more custom circuitry only supported by one engineer in a dark cubicle half way across the world.

Next: Quality