Controlling encoder failover with URL modifiers

Using redundant encoders or other alternate content sources increases the reliability of the source content. If the primary encoder fails or is stopped, you can configure Windows Media Services to pull content from an alternate encoder or other content source after a specified period of time by using URL modifiers in the path to the primary encoder.

The modifier should be added to the src attribute value in a server-side playlist. You add the modifier the same way you would add a query string to an URL. After the URL, add a question mark (?), followed by the modifier and the modifier value:

http://encoder_name:port?modifier=value

If you need to use both modifiers in the URL, you must explicitly specify the ampersand character (&), and then separate the entries with a semicolon. For example, if you combine the two modifiers, it would look like this:

http://encoder_name:port?modifier1=value&modifier2=value

The following table describes the URL modifiers that can be used to configure encoder failover when pulling a stream from an encoder.

Related topics

• To enable content rollover in case of encoder failure
• Sourcing from playlists, files, and encoders