Cloud infrastructure (IaaS) for multimedia applications
Swiss Media Cloud

BACKGROUND

• The classic IT infrastructure is increasingly unable to keep up with the needs of the latest generation of multimedia applications.
• A shift from isolated solutions to a cloud solution to centralize and professionalize services.
• The existing solutions were too expensive for the client. Costs should refer only to the volume actually used.

OBJECTIVES / REQUIREMENTS

• To shift from a physical infrastructure to a cloud infrastructure that is distributed across multiple locations.
• To be able to make changes and add services quickly and flexibly.
• An alternative to maintaining an internal IT infrastructure.
• Personal, client-oriented support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where users have direct contact with engineers with new media expertise.
• Location transparency. All the data and computer centres are located in Switzerland and subject to Swiss law exclusively.
• A highly-available infrastructure in two data centres located directly at Internet peering points. A top quality service for end users thanks to low latency. Distribution via Swiss computer centres.
• An automated infrastructure for high quality and efficient operation.
• A state of the art network, computing and storage infrastructure for all media use cases (online, nearline, archiving) supported by multiple redundant content delivery infrastructures (CDN).
• A scalable, flexible cloud platform for multimedia applications.
• Transparent usage reporting: Charges based on actual usage.
• The client has control over the infrastructure (self-service and automation) for greater independence and agility.

Web management interface for client - network configuration.

Web management interface for client – configure and create servers at the push of a button.

SOLUTION / FEATURES

• Self-service portal (for computing, backup, storage and network services).
• The client can select the computer centre. A computer centre can be allocated for each virtual server.
• Multi-client capability, demarcation and isolation of the various client environments. Meets the highest security requirements.
• Client-oriented service management processes (incident, problem and change processes) as well as short intervention times for service adjustments.
• Superb disaster tolerance, excellent cost efficiency, high scalability, high bandwidths for online content delivery, as well as high levels of standardization, agility and flexibility.
• The technology also distinguishes clearly between the hardware layer, cloud orchestration and the frontend layer.

• The infrastructure can be automated using an open API (DevOps, continuous deployment and integration).
• Servers (CPU, RAM, hard drive) can be prepared and scaled within minutes at the push of a button.
• Local and global load balancing (between two computer centres) for load distribution and maximum availability.
• A variety of storage levels – from high-performance storage with a short latency (SSD) to cost-effective nearline storage for multimedia archives.
• Integration with configuration management tools (Puppet, Ansible) for a full automated infrastructure.
• The infrastructure is agile and programmable, and can be scaled in seconds to respond to changes quickly.
• Identical test, integration and production environments can be mirrored easily. 

Automation: details of virtual machines on the console.

Automation: creating predefined environments using the command line tool.

BENEFITS

• Pay-as-you-go system: save time and money.
• No need to operate an in-house IT infrastructure.
• Automation and self-service for independence and agility.

  Factsheet IAAS