Cisco IP Fabric Media Solution for Sony IP

Live Live Production System

Last Updated: November 5, 2020
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Cisco Solution for IP Fabric for Media with Sony IP Live Production System ............................................................................ 5

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Audience ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Purpose of the Document .................................................................................................................................................... 5

Problem Statement .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

Solution Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Technology Overview .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Components ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7

Cisco IP Fabric for Media ................................................................................................................................................. 7

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches ................................................................................................................................. 7

Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) ................................................................................................................. 7

Sony IP Live System Manager (LSM) ............................................................................................................................... 8

Solution Design ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Designing the IP Fabric for Media ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Flow Orchestration with Sony LSM and Cisco IPFM ........................................................................................................... 14

Case Study: All IP Studio Deployment with Cisco and Sony ............................................................................................... 14

Solution Validation ................................................................................................................................................................. 16

Multicast Replication Performance Test ............................................................................................................................. 16

Delay Under Xpt Changes .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Failure Tests ...................................................................................................................................................................... 16

Reference Architecture .......................................................................................................................................................... 20

Physical Topology .............................................................................................................................................................. 20

OSPF Topology.................................................................................................................................................................. 21

PTP Topology .................................................................................................................................................................... 22

DCNM Topology ................................................................................................................................................................ 23

Multicast Performance Topology........................................................................................................................................ 24

Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Executive Summary
Cisco Validated Designs (CVDs) are the foundation of systems design and the centerpiece of facilitating
complex customer deployments. The validated designs incorporate products and technologies into a broad
portfolio of Enterprise, Service Provider, and Commercial systems that are designed, tested, and fully
documented to help ensure faster, reliable, consistent, and more predictable customer deployments.

Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Inc. (Sony) and Cisco announced a new global collaboration to create
IP networking technologies for 4K/HD live production applications in the broadcast, media, and
entertainment industries. The agreement between the two companies gives customers worldwide expanded
range of flexible, proven, and reliable IP systems.
Cisco Solution for IP Fabric for Media with Sony IP Live Production
System

Introduction
There is a massive transition underway in the Media and Entertainment industry, where the broadcast
facilities are moving from the legacy SDI infrastructure to a flexible IP infrastructure for all studio and remote
productions. Cisco IP Fabric for Media, in partnership with Sony Imaging Products and Solutions Inc.(Sony)
provides an end-to-end solution to enable this transition.

Sony and Cisco announced a new global collaboration to create IP networking technologies for 4K/HD live
production applications in the broadcast, media, and entertainment industries. The agreement between the
two companies gives customers worldwide an expanded range of flexible, proven, and reliable IP systems.

Sony is a leading manufacturer of live production systems offering 4K/HD system cameras, production
switches, and servers. In recent years, Sony has fully supported the IP transition, delivering 4K/HD studio
systems, OB trucks, and remote production solutions for the broadcast live production market. In addition,
Sony has led industry efforts for AV over IP standardization, working with JT-NM, SMPTE, VSF, AMWA, and
AIMS.

Cisco is a leader in flexible and reliable IP networking and has developed Cisco IPFM solution, including the
Nexus 9000 series switches and Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) for the media and entertainment
markets.

Audience
The audience for this document includes, but is not limited to; broadcast operators, sales engineers, field
consultants, professional services that are designing an IP infrastructure for production.

Purpose of the Document

This document consists of systems and solutions that are designed, tested, and documented to facilitate and
improve customer deployments. These designs incorporate wide range of technologies and products into a
portfolio of solutions that are developed to address the business needs of our customers.

Problem Statement
With the LIVE production moving to IP, there is a requirement for an IP infrastructure that can provide a
reliable, nonblocking, scalable, and secure fabric that can deliver SMTPE ST 2110 uncompressed streams
from the sources to the destinations. There must be little or no change to the end operator workflow as they
transition their infrastructure from SDI to IP.

Solution Summary
The Non-blocking Multicast process on Cisco NX-OS adds bandwidth awareness to the PIM. This provides
an IP fabric which is reliable and adds the ability to authorize endpoints and flows. Sony, with its Sony IP Live
System Manager (LSM) controller can control sources and destinations (endpoints). The operator routes all
signals using the control panel which communicates with the LSM. LSM in turn, instructs the destination to
join or subscribe to the new source using IGMP. The network, leveraging Cisco Non-blocking Multicast
(NBM), sets up a nonblocking path from the source to the destination.
Technology Overview
This section provides a brief introduction of the various hardware and software components that are used in
this solution.

Components
The following components are required to deploy this solution:

 Cisco IP Fabric for Media

 Cisco Nexus 9000

 Cisco Data Center Network Manager

 Sony IP Live System Manager

Cisco IP Fabric for Media

The Cisco IP Fabric for Media (IPFM) solution consists of a flexible spine and leaf architecture or a single
modular switch topology. The solution uses Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches with the Cisco Non-blocking
Multicast (NBM) algorithm (an intelligent traffic management algorithm) and the Cisco Data Center Network
Manager (DCNM) Media Controller. The Cisco DCNM Media Controller can integrate with various broadcast
controllers using open APIs. The solution provides a highly reliable (zero drop multicast), highly visible, highly
secure, and highly available network.

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches deliver proven high performance and density, low latency, and
exceptional power efficiency in range of form factors. The series also performs line-rate multicast replication
with minimal jitter. Each switch can operate as a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) boundary clock and can
support the SMPTE ST 2110 and AES67 profiles.

Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM)

Cisco NBM provides multicast transport and security with host and flow policies. Cisco DCNM works with
Cisco NBM to provide visibility and analytics of all the flows in the fabric. Cisco DCNM can also be used to
provision the fabric, including configuring the IGP (OSPF), PIM, and MSDP using Cisco IPFM templates and
power-on auto-provisioning (POAP). Cisco DCNM can further be used to manage host and flow policies and
ASM range, unicast bandwidth reservation, and external link for multi-site.

Cisco DCNM uses NX-API to push policies and configurations to the switch, while the Cisco NBM process
uses the NX-OS streaming telemetry to stream state information to Cisco DCNM (Figure 1). Cisco DCNM
collects information from individual switches in the fabric, collates them, and presents how flows traverse
across the fabric. The configuration in Figure 2 shows the required configuration on the switch to enable
telemetry.

To summarize, Cisco DCNM can help with:

 Fabric configuration using POAP to help automate configuration

 Topology and host discovery to dynamically discover the topology and host connectivity
  Flow and host policy manager

 End-to-end flow visualization with flow statistics

 The API gateway for the broadcast controller

 Network health monitoring

DCNM and NBM Interaction

Figure 1: Cisco DCNM and the Cisco NBM Process

Figure 2: Cisco DCNM Discovering Topology and Endpoints

Sony IP Live System Manager (LSM)

The PWS-110NM1 IP Live System Manager Station comes with the IP Live System Manager (LSM)
software that allows you to set up, control, and reconfigure an IP live production system. The LSM
 software provides a variety of functionalities in IP systems as broadcast controller such as router oper-
ation, source name management and tally signal management, that is similar to the video routers.
Control buttons and its layout can be flexibly configured as per the discretion of the user. It is also
compliant to the AMWA NMOS specs such as IS-04 and IS-05 for multi-vendor device management
and control.

Features include: 

 An IP-based A/V routing application: this software aggregates device configuration and generates a
virtual A/V router which can be controlled by users on the system
 A configuration management tool for all devices connected to the system: use this to quickly reconfig-
ure the production system for different production scenarios or for customized configuration of indi-
vidual devices
 A tally/alias name management tool for all UMDs and tally indicators connected to the system: use this
to support tally system including multiple production switcher (i.e. XVS) as tally master
 A network management tool: this ensures IP video transmission with broadcasting quality, using QoS
technology
 A fully featured application which includes interoperability, security, redundancy, and maintenance
functionality1

Figure 3: PWS-110NM1 with JT-NM

1
For more details on the JT-NM Tested program in March 2020 and test results, please go to https://jt-
nm.org/jt-nm_tested.
Figure 4: Sony IP Live System Manager (LSM) Graphical User Interface

Figure 5: PWS-110NM1 Matrix Graphical User Interface

Figure 6: PWS-110NM1 Topology Graphical User Interface
Solution Design
This section provides an overview of the design factors that are to be considered in order to make the
system work as a single, highly available network.

Designing the IP Fabric for Media

There are multiple design options available to deploy an IP Fabric for Media based on the use case.

 A flexible and scalable Layer 3 spine and leaf - provides a flexible and scalable architecture that is
suitable for studio deployments (Figures 4 and 6).

 A single switch with all endpoints connected to this switch provides the simplicity that is needed in
an outside broadcasting TV van (OBVAN) and small studio deployment (Figure 5).

Figure 7: Spine and leaf with endpoints connected to the leaf

Figure 8: Single switch with endpoints connected to the switch

Figure 9: Spine and leaf with endpoints connected to both spine and leaf
Flow Orchestration with Sony LSM and Cisco IPFM
While Sony LSM controls the endpoints, Cisco NBM manages the flow orchestration in the fabric. When an
operator routes a source to a destination, the control panel communicates with Sony LSM requesting for the
flow. Sony LSM instructs the destination to join the new source and the destination signals this flow by
sending an IGMP to join to the network. Cisco NBM then creates an optimal path from the source to the
destination.

Figure 10: Flow Orchestration with Sony LSM and Cisco IPFM

Case Study: All IP Studio Deployment with Cisco and Sony

Cisco and Sony partnered together to build one of the largest deployments of an all IP studio for a major
broadcaster.

es all customers the flexibility to distribute routing across the

entire room with a simpler cable management.

Sony provides the Sony IP Live System Manager (LSM) for the broadcast control. The studio has HDC Series
studio cameras which are paired with the latest generation HDCU-3100 IP enabled Camera Control Units.
The control rooms have XVS-7000 series multiformat video switches.
 Figure 11: High-Level Topology Design Depicting one portion of the Network

Adopting an open IP approach at the facility allows the customer to route HDR-capable HD video and audio,
while synchronizing and controlling data in real time over Cisco IP Fabric for Media. This solution leverages
the SMPTE ST 2110 suite of standards for the professional media interchange. This allows seamless
integration between the best-of-breed components and solutions from Sony and other hardware and
software vendors.

Time synchronization is another important factor to consider when designing an IP Fabric. Cisco switches are
configured to work in the PTP boundary clock providing timing to Sony and other endpoints that are
connected to the fabric using the SMPTE ST 2059-2 PTP profile.

In order to ensure that there is no impact to production in case of failures such as link failure, and so on,
redundant network is in place with all endpoints that are configured to operate in SMPTE ST 2022-7 mode.

The IP infrastructure can operate from 10G to 100 Gbps. This makes the investment future proof. It provides
the customer the ability to transition to higher definitions like 4K and 8K without replacing the infrastructure.
It also enables the customer to reuse the fabric for file-based workflows and other media workflows like
editing, graphics, and so on.
Solution Validation
This section provides a high-level summary of the validation that is done for this CVD.

Multicast Replication Performance Test

1. Background traffic Imposed 150 multicast routes and traffic that went through the fabric during
both, the performance and the failure tests.

2. Performance test Tested the following two patterns. These did not result in traffic loss with boss
cases:

 Replication of three multicast flows into 48 downlinks on Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX switches

 Replication of 24 multicast flows into 48 downlinks on Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX switches

Delay Under Xpt Changes

Table 1: Performance Delay Under Xpt Changes

Receiver
NXLK-IP50Y RX1 under N9336-Leaf NXLK-IP50Y RX2 under N93180
Cisco Nexus Operation Xpt change within Xpt change Xpt change Xpt change
Configuration the same switch across the fab- within the across the fab-
without 2 ric same switch ric
stage flow
setup AVE (msec) Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark
MAX (msec) Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark
MIN (msec) Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark Benchmark
Cisco Nexus Operation Xpt change within Xpt change Xpt change Xpt change
Configuration the same switch across the fab- within the across the fab-
with 2 stage ric same switch ric
flow setup
AVE (msec) Faster Faster Faster Faster
MAX (msec) Faster Faster Faster Faster
MIN (msec) Faster Faster Faster Faster

Failure Tests
Table 2: Failure Test

Test Case Result

Removing the power cable of N93180 (Leaf)  Flows which went through only N9336-Leaf were not
affected.
 Other all flows which went through N93180 were
blocked.
 Test Case
Inserting the power cable of N93180 (Leaf)
Removing the power cable of N9336 (Spine1)
Inserting the power cable of N9336 (Spine1)
Removing the power cable of N9336 (Spine1)
Removing the power cable of N9336 (Spine2)
Inserting the power cable of N9336 (Spine2)
Inserting the power cable of N9336 (Spine1)
Removing the cable of E1/49 (on N93180)
Removing the cable of E1/50 (on N93180)
Removing the cable of E1/51 (on N93180)
Removing the cable of E1/52 (on N93180)
Removing the cable of E1/53 (on N93180)
Removing the cable of E1/54 (on N93180)
2 3 1. Shut down DCNM Server
2 3 2. Power on DCNM Server
Result
Once Cisco Nexus received IGMP join of affected flows,
all those flows were provisioned again without traffic
drop.
 Flows which went through only N9336-Leaf or only
N93180 were not affected.
 Other all flows which went through Spine1 were
dropped for a moment and converged through
Spine2 again after that.
All flows were not affected. There was no convergence of
existing flows.
 Flows which went through only N9336-Leaf or only
N93180 were NOT affected.
 Other all flows which went through Spine1 were
dropped for a moment and converged through
Spine2 again after that.
 Flows which went through only N9336-Leaf or only
N93180 were NOT affected.
 Other all flows were stopped.
Once Nexus received IGMP Join of affected flows, all
those flows were converged through Spine2 again
without traffic drop.
All flows were not affected. There was no reprovisioning
of existing flows.
 Some of the flows which went through E1/49 were
dropped for a moment.
 They were re-provisioned through other uplinks.
 Some of the flows which went through E1/50 were
dropped for a moment.
 They were re-provisioned through other uplinks.
Other flows were dropped for a moment and
reprovisioned through E1/54
 Some of the flows which went through E1/52 were
dropped for a moment.
 They were re-provisioned through other uplinks.
 Some of the flows which went through E1/53 were
dropped for a moment.
 They were reprovisioned through other uplinks.
All the rest flows were stopped.
 There was no impact on multicast flows from NXLK-
IP50Y.
 There was no impact on unicast flows between
 Test Case Result

2 4 1 NXLK-IP50Y and LSM.

 There was no impact on unicast and multicast flows
2-4- from IXIA.
 There was no impact on other features, such as PTP
and OSPF basically.

OSPF Process Multicast flows from both IXIA and NXLK-IP50Y were
dropped for a moment after OSPF process was cleared.

Table 2: Failure Test - Grand Master Link to Nexus 9348 Series Switch

NXLK-IP50Y LSM Log IXIA Traffic Change Nexus Log

Image Xpt
(10 seconds
visual obser-
vation)
Failure; Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
First, main GM main GM (Main->Sub) (Main->Sub)
Link Link
Second, sub Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
GM Link sub GM Link (Sub->N9348) (Sub->N9348)
Failure; Failure of No Impact No Log No Loss OK PTP status change
First, sub GM sub GM Link -> No Impact (Master -> Disabled)
Link Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
Second, main main GM (Main->N9348) (Main->N9348)
GM Link Link
Recovery; Recovery of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
First, main GM main GM (9348->Main) (9348->Main)
Link Link
Second, sub Recovery of No Impact No Log No Loss OK PTP status change
GM Link sub GM Link -> No Impact (Disabled -> Master)
Recovery; Recovery of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
First, sub GM sub GM Link (9348->Sub) (9348->Sub)
Link Recovery of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
Second, main main GM (Sub->Main) (Sub->Main)
GM Link Link
Failure; Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss Ok GM Change
First, main GM main GM (Main->Sub) (Main->Sub)
Second, sub Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
GM sub GM (Sub->N9348) (Sub->N9348)
Failure; Failure of No Impact GM Change No Loss OK GM Change
First, sub GM main GM (Main->N9348) (Main->N9348)
Second, main Failure of No Impact No Log No Loss OK PTP status change
GM sub GM -> No Impact (Master -> Disabled)
Recovery; Recovery of Distorted GM Change No Loss Ok GM Change
First, main GM main GM (9348->Main) (9348->Main)
Second, sub
GM Locked to Distorted Out of Sync No Loss OK High offset
GPS for a moment
Recovery of No Impact No Log No Loss OK PTP status change
sub GM -> No Impact (Disabled -> Master)
 NXLK-IP50Y LSM Log IXIA Traffic Change Nexus Log
Image Xpt
(10 seconds
visual obser-
vation)
Locked to No Impact No Log No Loss OK No GM change
GPS -> No Impact
Recovery; Recovery of No Impact Out of Sync No Loss OK GM Change
First, sub GM sub GM GM Change (9348->Sub)
Second, main (9348->Sub)
GM Locked to Distorted No Log No Loss OK High Offset
GPS
Recovery of Distorted Out of Sync No Loss OK GM Change
main GM GM Change (Sub->Main)
(Sub->Main)
Locked to Distorted -- No Loss OK High Offset
GPS
Reference Architecture

Physical Topology
Figure 12: Physical Topology
OSPF Topology
Figure 13: OSPF Topology
PTP Topology
Figure 14: PTP Topology
DCNM Topology
Figure 15: DCNM Topology
Multicast Performance Topology

Figure 16: Multicast Performance Topo

logy
Conclusion
Cisco is a leader in the IP-based solution with the best-in-class IP-based products, support, and services.
Sony is a Leader in media production, advanced video, workflow, and camera systems with a
comprehensive product line up to support IP-based workflows. Cisco and Sony have partnered together to
provide an end-to-end solution to the Media and Broadcasting Industry that enables them to make their
transition to IP.