Client-server challenges for digital video

The various challenges faced in delivering interactive digital video services to desktop computers in local area environments are discussed. Similar to well-known data applications, most video applications of interest involve sharing digital video information stored in a server through a local area network. Given the unique requirements of video services (large volumes of data, continuous-stream nature of the traffic, and high aggregate bandwidth), supporting such services over existing local area networks and using existing network file servers are severely limited by a number of bottlenecks present in these environments. Following a brief discussion of the unique requirements of video services, the bottlenecks in question are identified and discussed in view of rendering digital video applications economically feasible.<>