CacheFlow has put streaming media features into its Web acceleration gear that could be used by either an enterprise or a service provider.
The new streaming features also can be used to help companies save on bandwidth usage at peak times and cut down on the bandwidth they have to pay for to deliver streaming content to remote sites. Companies could use the features for company meetings, training, or broadcast material. Service providers also may latch onto the new features for, say, pay-per-view events.
One of the ways users can cut down on peak-demand bandwidth usage when streaming events to users is to install caches at the edges of their corporate networks and send the streaming content to those caches overnight. The caches can be configured to release the content to users at a specific time, ensuring that people get what they need at the right time. By sending content out prior to the actual play-time, network managers can avoid last-minute problems with content delivery.
Storing content on local caches can also save on long-distance charges. Network managers send the content from a central location once to edge caches, so users don't have to download it individually from a remote site.
CacheFlow's new streaming features are integrated into its cache software. The company sells cache appliances.
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