Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) posted: 11/03/2021
New broadcast center integrates virtual machines using IHSE KVM
Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF; Swiss Radio and Television ) is the largest broadcaster in German-speaking Switzerland. The public broadcasting organization operates four main studios; two located in Zurich and others in Basel and Bern.
The Challenge
The new SRF broadcasting center News and Sports Center at the Leutschenbach location in Zurich planned to build a new control center to access a variety of computers and virtual machines. A requirement specification was produced that included a central KVM matrix switch with redundant equipment for fail-safe operation, maximum flexibility and scalability.
The new six-story building was designed to incorporate 200 workstations connected to the KVM distribution system enabling instant and switchable connection to over 300 computer and server sources.
For video editing applications, it is essential that editors access content on their screens with no delay. It was therefore critical that the chosen KVM solution must exhibit extremely low transmission and switching latency.
A particular challenge was the required integration of virtual machines within the KVM switching system so that users can select and operate virtual processors in an identical
manner to physical computers. In addition, administrators should be able to access the system from any location over a remote internet connection whilst maintaining the
highest security standards.
The Solution
Due to a convincing offering and previous successful experience with IHSE KVM systems at another SRF broadcasting complex, the solution chosen was a 576-port Draco tera enterprise KVM matrix switch. The switching system connects the computers in the secured Media Data Center (MDC) with all the user workstations spread throughout the studio production rooms. Fiber optic cables throughout the building provide interconnection between the computers in the MDC and the workstations through the KVM switching matrix.
The Draco tera enterprise supports HD and 4K image resolutions used within the SRF broadcast complex across different video and data formats including HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI, digital audio and USB.
Users throughout the building are able to access the devices they need without delay. It is immaterial whether these are physical computers or virtual clients. Seamless integration into the KVM workflow via Draco SIRA CPU devices means all sources may be selected in the same way with the same instant access.
Thanks to the simple and flexible configuration of the system, all application requirements can be covered with just one central matrix. - Sandro Niederhauser, Technical Support
Access rights are individually assigned and managed so that users are only able to access sources that are relevant to their work. This maintains security of data throughout the system and increases the efficiency of operation.
Workstations with multi-monitor arrangements, as commonly encountered in control rooms, are operated using a single keyboard and mouse set. Switching to a currently active monitor is made easily, and without delay, by simply moving the mouse cursor over the edge of the screen to the next screen.
In order to provide system administrators with the ability to access the KVM system from any location, several Draco SIRA CON units were also provided. Users may access the KVM matrix remotely, including from their home office, using a standard internet browser or software client.
The Draco SIRA CON maintains full security and prevents outside access or manipulation attempts via the IP network through the incorporation of several embedded security levels.
The core properties of a KVM system are reliability, flexibility and operation without restriction. The IHSE system enables us to fully implement our media data center concept for the broadcast production environment. - Andreas Lattmann, CTO SRF
The Benefit
In operation, each user has access to all necessary sources and data from their own workstation without having to change their working position. The KVM system separates users from noisy and heat-producing computers and servers. Hardware, in turn, exhibits extended service lives through location in the access-restricted and air-conditioned media data center where they are protected from unauthorized access and harmful environmental factors.
The use of virtual machines saves costs: less hardware is required to satisfy several virtual sessions on a single server. Their integration into the KVM environment enables homogeneous, practical and efficient work practices.
The Draco tera KVM system delivers a highly stable work process. Its integrated redundancy capability ensures continuous operation in the event of partial system failure accident. Even in the event of a matrix fault computers can still be accessed via direct connections with workstations
over redundant KVM links. This solution delivers a considerable cost saving with a high level of reliability.
As early as 2011, SRF played a pioneering role in convert into a complete digital infrastructure and deployed one of the first Draco tera enterprise KVM matrices. SRF is again pioneering the application of the most advanced technologies with the integration of virtual machines into a KVM infrastructure via Draco SIRA CPU and with secure IP connection via Draco SIRA CON.
The IHSE KVM solution is state of the art and meets the requirements of the project. Cooperation with the IHSE support team has always been professional and effective. - Martin Sauter, Project Manager
Most recent headlines
06/10/2025
France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...
04/09/2025
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...
30/08/2025
WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has adopted its FY 2025 Regulatory Fees Order that establishes the regulatory fee rates for the broadcast stati...
29/08/2025
Australian Red Cross and SBS launch training to help workplaces in the fight aga...
29/08/2025
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sp...
29/08/2025
L3Harris Technologies has concentrated decades of expertise across the entire enterprise to develop affordable and reliable best-of-breed solutions to rapidly c...
29/08/2025
BURBANK, Calif. The CW Network and the Pac-12 Conference have announced a new media rights deal that will extend their broadcast partnership beginning with the ...
29/08/2025
NEW YORK Gracenote has released a new analysis of its global video dataset showing that the number of FAST channels grew nearly 14% from Q1 2025 and 76% since 2...
29/08/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Harmonic has announced a series of improvements to its live sports streaming solution that the company said will improve fan engagement, protec...
29/08/2025
NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES Fox Corp. and YouTube TV last night announced a renewal of the full portfolio of Fox networks, including Fox News Channel, Fox Business...
29/08/2025
Budapest, Hungary, August 2025 - The integration of Microsoft Teams Rooms (MTR) with Lightware's Taurus universal matrix switchers delivers a new level of f...
29/08/2025
Frequency, the engine behind many of the world's best-known streaming television channels, today announced it will launch Studio Live, a next-generation uni...
29/08/2025
In an era when AI and cyber resilience are essential, Scality will mark the 10th anniversary of Scality Day on October 16, 2025 in Paris. This flagship global e...
29/08/2025
Disguise's In-House Creative and Technical Teams Pre-Visualised, Programmed and Delivered Content for the Experience, All Powered by EX 3+
Technology solu...
29/08/2025
Disguise will be demonstrating the latest workflows for TV, film and live events on a number of partner booths at the show
Disguise, the industry-leading tech...
29/08/2025
STOCKHOLM, Sweden Accedo will showcase Accedo Compose, its AI agent-powered modular orchestration layer that assists streaming providers in transitioning client...
29/08/2025
LOS ANGELES Cineverse has announced that it is working with Xperi to bring four of its streaming channels to automobiles for the first time as part of the DTS A...
29/08/2025
DALLAS & ATLANTA Gray Media has announced an agreement with the sports streaming service Victory+ to simulcast 17 Dallas Stars NHL games in 15 television market...
29/08/2025
NEW YORK AND CULVER CITY Comcast NBCUniversal and Amazon have announced new and extended distribution agreements that will expand the content available on their...
29/08/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. RED Digital Cinema will feature its Cine-Broadcast Module supporting live broadcast workflows during IBC2025, Sept. 12-15, at the RAI Ams...
29/08/2025
29 Aug 2025
Kyivstar Rings Opening Bell at Nasdaq Marking Landmark Listing and ...
29/08/2025
More than half of all NFL games live on Sky for the first timeFriday 29 August 2025
Sky Sports has announced a new three-year deal with the NFL, extending its ...
29/08/2025
Back to All News
RIV4LRIES: The Trailer of the New Series With Samuele Carrino ...
29/08/2025
Get ready for an inspiring and emotional insight into the world of competitive Irish dancing with My Story: Tomi Champion of the World airing on RT 2 this monda...
29/08/2025
RT has today announced that David McCullagh is to be the new presenter of RT Radio 1's flagship Today programme, which airs every weekday at 10am, replaci...
28/08/2025
By Kristin Feeley, Director, Documentary Film & Artist Programs
If you want to tell untold stories, if you want to give voice to the voiceless, you've got ...
28/08/2025
Directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, Sundance Institute-supported Amer...
28/08/2025
Corridos have been a cornerstone of M sica Mexicana for generations, telling stories rooted in everyday life. Now, a new chapter is taking shape: motivational c...
28/08/2025
Los corridos han sido un pilar de la M sica Mexicana durante generaciones, contando historias enraizadas en la vida cotidiana. Ahora, un nuevo cap tulo est tom...
28/08/2025
Earlier this month, we promised our Verano Forever party would bring the heat, a...
28/08/2025
L3Harris will provide the Polish F-16V fleet with the Viper Shield electronic warfare system as part of an upgrade program....
28/08/2025
Bilbao, August 26, 2025 - AgileTV, an international television and video technol...
28/08/2025
Ken Wilkinson is an Emmy Awards nominated New York audio engineer who specialises in production sound mixing for film, commercial, episodic and documentary work...
28/08/2025
NEW YORK FuboTV today announced that it will launch Fubo Sports, a skinny bundle that focuses on sports with a subscription price of $56 monthly....
28/08/2025
NEVADA City, Calif. At IBC2025, Sept. 12-15 at the RAI Amsterdam, Telestream will debut its new Global Ingest strategy, introducing a next-generation ingest arc...
28/08/2025
Dr. Rhoda Bernard Releases Groundbreaking Debut Book on Accessible Arts Educatio...
28/08/2025
TAG Video Systems, the leader in software-based IP end-to-end workflow monitoring, deep probing, and real-time visualization, has named Oliver Gappa as Sales Di...
28/08/2025
AI-based voice enhancement will be among a series of innovations making their IBC 2025 debut on the DHD stand B46 in Hall 8 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Cent...
28/08/2025
Telef nica Servicios Audiovisuales (TSA), the leading system integrator and service provider in the media sector in Spain, with the support of Appear, the globa...
28/08/2025
To fully immerse sailing fans in the world's biggest offshore yacht race, production company, Optical Media turned to LiveU's On-site Production solutio...
28/08/2025
Working with Calrec on its most recent overhaul, radio and television broadcaster, WNED has migrated to a fully IP infrastructure with multiple Type R consoles,...
28/08/2025
Cleeng, the Subscriber Retention Management (SRM ) inventor, has unveiled Cleeng Pro, the first-ever direct-to-consumer (D2C) subscription management platform t...
28/08/2025
Zixi, the industry leader in live broadcast-quality video over IP, today announced that French media distribution platform OKAST has selected Zixi to enable rel...
28/08/2025
Solution offers a streamlined, speaker-free architecture to optimize integration with premium external loudspeakers and advanced loudness metering
Nixer Pro Au...
28/08/2025
Cinegy, the premier provider of software-defined television technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Vision One Touch Film Production Services L.L...
28/08/2025
Telestream, a global leader in media workflow technologies, will debut its new Global Ingest strategy at IBC2025, introducing a next-generation ingest architect...
28/08/2025
Tier 1 operator selects Broadpeak to power high-performance, unified CDN solution across Norway, Sweden and Finland
Broadpeak, a leader in streaming and moneti...
28/08/2025
Leading video software provider, Synamedia, today announced that 24 Frames Digital, one of India's leading live event streaming service providers, has chose...
28/08/2025
Meet VisualOn at IBC2025: See What's Next in AI-Powered Video Streaming Join VisualOn at IBC2025 and discover how our AI-driven Optimizer and advanced media...
Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) posted: 11/03/2021 
