Knowledge Base

What is Ant Media Server?

Ant Media Server (AMS) is a media server used to develop scalable, low-latency live video streaming and video conferencing applications. It can run both in the cloud and on-premises. AMS supports various protocols such as WebRTC, RTMP, HLS, DASH, ensuring compatibility with different devices and platforms. Thanks to its flexible structure, it is used in various sectors such as education, entertainment, corporate communication, and surveillance.

What are the Requirements for Ant Media Server Installation?

Before starting the AMS installation, make sure that the following requirements are met:

• Hardware:
  • Processor: At least a 2-core processor (4 cores or more recommended)
  • RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
  • Disk Space: At least 20 GB of free disk space (SSD recommended)
  • Network: Stable and high-speed internet connection
• Software:
  • Operating System:
    • Ubuntu 18.04/20.04/22.04 (recommended)
    • CentOS 7/8
    • Debian 9/10/11
    • Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
  • Java: Java Development Kit (JDK) 11 or later
• Other:
  • Root or administrator access
  • Configuration of firewall settings

How to Install Ant Media Server? (Ubuntu Example)

The following steps show the installation of AMS on the Ubuntu operating system:

1. Install Java:

   
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk
   java -version
       

2. Download Ant Media Server:

   Download the latest version of Ant Media Server from the official website (antmedia.io). It is usually provided as a .zip file.

   
   wget [Ant Media Server Download Link]
       

3. Extract Ant Media Server:

   
   unzip ant-media-server-[version].zip -d /usr/local
       

4. Start Ant Media Server:

   
   cd /usr/local/ant-media-server
   sudo ./start.sh
       

5. Access the Web Interface:

   Access the Ant Media Server web interface by going to http://[server-ip-address]:5080 in your browser. You will be prompted to create an administrator account during the initial setup.

How to License Ant Media Server?

Ant Media Server offers various licensing options for different needs. Free (Community Edition), trial (Trial), and paid (Enterprise Edition) licenses are available. The licensing process is carried out with the following steps:

1. Get the License Key:

   Purchase the appropriate license from the Ant Media Server website or request a trial license. You will be given a license key.

2. Enter the License Key:

   Log in to the Ant Media Server web panel and go to the "License" section. Here you can enter and activate your license key.

3. Verify the License:

   After the license is activated, check that your license information is correct in the web panel. The license type, expiration date, and other details will be displayed here.

How to Configure Ant Media Server?

Ant Media Server's configuration files are located in the /usr/local/ant-media-server/conf directory. The main configuration files are:

• red5.properties: Basic server settings, port numbers, database connections, etc.
• logback.xml: Logging settings
• web.xml: Web application settings
• antmedia.properties: Ant Media Server specific settings (e.g., WebRTC settings, security settings)

For example, to change the WebRTC settings, you can edit the antmedia.properties file:

# WebRTC Settings
settings.webrtc.ip_address=0.0.0.0
settings.webrtc.port=5443
settings.webrtc.dtls_certificate_path=/usr/local/ant-media-server/conf/ssl/certificate.pem
settings.webrtc.dtls_key_path=/usr/local/ant-media-server/conf/ssl/key.pem

Important: After changing the configuration files, you need to restart the server.

sudo /usr/local/ant-media-server/restart.sh

Which Protocols are Supported with Ant Media Server?

Ant Media Server supports various live streaming and video streaming protocols. This makes it possible to develop applications compatible with different devices and platforms. Here are the main protocols supported by AMS:

• WebRTC (Web Real-Time Communication): Used for low-latency, browser-based live streams and video conferencing. AMS fully supports WebRTC and is ideal for developing scalable WebRTC applications.
• RTMP (Real-Time Messaging Protocol): Traditional live streaming protocol. It was widely used when Adobe Flash Player was popular. It is still supported by some encoders and platforms.
• HLS (HTTP Live Streaming): An HTTP-based live streaming protocol developed by Apple. It is widely supported by iOS devices, Android devices, and desktop browsers. It offers a scalable and reliable live streaming solution.
• DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP): An HTTP-based adaptive bitrate streaming protocol developed by MPEG. It works similarly to HLS, but is more flexible and standardized.
• RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol): Used to receive live streams from IP cameras and other video sources. AMS can receive RTSP sources and convert them to other protocols.
• SRT (Secure Reliable Transport): A secure live streaming protocol that is resistant to packet loss and latency. It is ideal for broadcasting from remote locations.

The following table compares the basic features of these protocols:

What are Ant Media Server APIs and How to Use Them?

Ant Media Server provides access to various functions through REST APIs. These APIs can be used to perform various operations such as server management, stream management, user management, and statistics. To use the APIs, you must first authenticate. Authentication is usually done with an API key or a username/password combination.

Example: Create Stream API

The following example shows the REST API call used to create a stream:

curl -X POST \
  http://[server-ip-address]:5080/rest/v2/broadcasts/create
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -H 'X-API-KEY: [Your API Key]' \
  -d '{
    "name": "NewStream",
    "description": "New Stream Description",
    "type": "LIVE",
    "streamId": "new_stream_id"
  }'

This API call creates a stream named new_stream_id of type LIVE. The API response contains information about the stream (e.g., stream URL).

Example: Get Streams API

The following example shows the REST API call used to list existing streams:

curl -X GET \
  http://[server-ip-address]:5080/rest/v2/broadcasts/list/0/10
  -H 'X-API-KEY: [Your API Key]'

This API call lists the first 10 streams. The API response contains a list of streams. For each stream, the stream name, stream ID, stream type, and other information are provided.

Important API Endpoints:

• /rest/v2/broadcasts: Stream management (create, delete, list)
• /rest/v2/users: User management (create, delete, list)
• /rest/v2/applications: Application management
• /rest/v2/server: Server management (statistics, settings)

You can access the Ant Media Server API documentation from the web interface or the official website. The API documentation contains detailed descriptions of all API endpoints, parameters, and response formats.

How to Ensure Ant Media Server Security?

Ensuring the security of Ant Media Server is critical to protecting your live streams and data. Here are some measures you can take to increase AMS security:

• Use Strong Passwords: Use complex and hard-to-guess passwords for the administrator account and other user accounts.
• Protect the API Key: Store your API key in a safe place and protect it from unauthorized access. Avoid sharing the API key in public places (e.g., in client-side code).
• Use SSL/TLS: Use SSL/TLS encryption for the web interface and other communication channels. This ensures that data is transmitted securely and prevents man-in-the-middle attacks.
• Use a Firewall: Use a firewall to prevent unauthorized access to your server. Configure the firewall to allow only the necessary ports.
• Keep Up to Date: Regularly update Ant Media Server and your operating system. Updates close security vulnerabilities and improve performance.
• Implement Access Controls: Implement access controls to control access to streams and other resources. For example, you can allow access only from specific IP addresses or user accounts.
• Use HTTPS: Always use HTTPS when accessing the web interface and making other API calls. This ensures that data is encrypted and transmitted securely.
• WebRTC Security: If you are using WebRTC, make sure that DTLS encryption is enabled and that you are using secure ICE servers.
• RTMP Security: If you are using RTMP, ensure that data is encrypted by using RTMPS (RTMP over SSL).
• Monitor Logs: Regularly monitor server logs and try to detect suspicious activity. Logs can help you detect security breaches or attacks.

Real-Life Example:

An educational institution is broadcasting live lessons using Ant Media Server. To increase security, they have taken the following measures:

1. A strong password has been used for the administrator account.
2. Access to the web interface is provided via HTTPS.
3. The firewall is configured to allow only the necessary ports.
4. Students' access to lessons is controlled with usernames and passwords.
5. The server is updated regularly.

Thanks to these measures, the educational institution's live lessons are broadcast securely and unauthorized access is prevented.

How Do I Optimize Ant Media Server Performance?

Optimizing Ant Media Server's performance is important for providing a better user experience and higher scalability. Here are some optimizations you can do to improve AMS performance:

• Monitor Hardware Resources: Regularly monitor CPU, RAM, and disk usage. If usage is high, consider increasing hardware resources.
• Optimize Java Virtual Machine (JVM) Settings: Optimize JVM settings according to your server's hardware specifications and usage scenario. For example, you can increase the heap size or change garbage collection settings.
• Optimize Network Connection: Ensure your server has a high-speed and low-latency network connection. If necessary, increase network bandwidth or use a CDN (Content Delivery Network).
• Use Caching: Cache frequently accessed data. This reduces the load on the server and improves performance.
• Optimize Database Connections: Improve database performance by using a database connection pool. Also, optimize database queries and avoid unnecessary queries.
• Use Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABS): Use ABS to stream at different qualities based on users' internet connection speeds. This improves user experience and reduces the load on the server.
• WebRTC Optimization: If you are using WebRTC, configure STUN/TURN servers correctly and use appropriate codecs.
• RTMP Optimization: If you are using RTMP, optimize the chunk size and disable unnecessary features.
• HLS/DASH Optimization: If you are using HLS/DASH, optimize the segment size and playlist length.
• Adjust Logging Level: Set the logging level to record only the necessary information. High logging levels can negatively impact performance.
• Use a CDN: Use a CDN to reach a wider audience with your live streams and reduce the load on the server.

The following table summarizes the performance impact of different optimization techniques: