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Running My Own Server


undercover

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I don't know a lot about servers, so that is why I am typing this post.

 

We are starting a Internet radio station and we want to stream on ShoutCast etc. We are looking into building our own server and finding a good hosting service.

 

I was wondering what is the max amount of slots open can you have on a server. Can you have 1,000 or 2,000 (Does this depend on the Memory and Hard drive Space?)

 

How do I figure out how how many listeners I can have at 1 time on the server running at 64kbps?

 

I hope this makes sense.

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It really depends on the bandwidth.

 

With a 100 mbit connection running at 64 kbps you can have about 1440 listeners tuned in 24 / 7.

 

Here is a tool to calculate it:

http://www.radiotoolbox.com/online_tools/bandwidth.php

SCS - Dedicated Bandwidth Servers

Shoutcast / Icecast / Windows Media

Transcoding - Auto DJ - Mobile Radio - FLASH Players - Auto DJ

Broadcasting World's Stream Host of the Month

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There would be no point to use a hosting service if you make a server at home. You will need dedicated bandwidth to ensure that the listeners quality uptime. You will also want to make sure it is not against the TOS of your internet provider so that is one major thing to look into. A hosting service provides this that so it is not at your end.

Stream101 | Affordable Media Solutions

Shared cPanel? Web Hosting | WordPress Hosting | Premium Stream Hosting

TOLL-FREE: (616) 277-7280 | 30 Day NO QUESTIONS Money-Back Guarantee

100% Cogent Free Network | CloudLinux OS | Tier 1 Bandwidth | Grand Rapids, MI

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So, if I had my own server at home

But if you run it from home, that I really don't think you will have the bandwidth to survive.

 

If you are using DSL or Cable with about 1 meg uplink speed, you can only get 7 or 8 concurrent listeners before you buffer.

 

Remember, I said above from the numbers I used it was for a 100 mbit uplink. I highly doubt that you can get anywhere near that speed without spending a lot of money on getting bandwidth installed.

 

So, it probably would be better to go with a Stream Host that has the needed bandwidth. Just depends on how fast your uplink is, and as MarcAlle said, if your ISP will permit it.

SCS - Dedicated Bandwidth Servers

Shoutcast / Icecast / Windows Media

Transcoding - Auto DJ - Mobile Radio - FLASH Players - Auto DJ

Broadcasting World's Stream Host of the Month

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Your home connection probably isn't fast enough to serve more than half a dozen listeners. When you signup with a stream host, you are streaming your feed to their server, which then gets broadcast around the world using their bandwidth.

 

As a super simple calculation, 1 listener listening for 24 hours at 128kbps will take about 1.4 GB of bandwidth.

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Thank everyone who commented back. You information was very useful for me. So, overall if I want 500 listeners it will cost too much for me to to it myself from home. Is that correct?

 

One more question, so how do the bigger radio companies that have Internet radio stations gout about it?

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if I want 500 listeners it will cost too much for me to to it myself from home

Well that depends on how much you can get a 100 mbit line installed in your house. It is probably more cost effective to use a stream host.

 

how do the bigger radio companies that have Internet radio stations gout about it

They use stream hosts. We host many AM Talk Radio stations, AM College Sports Stations and a few FM stations. The larger radio stations use hosts that specialize in terrestrial radio stations. Hosts that do not do internet stations, only over-the-air ones. And they charge a whole lot more money than the hosts here.

SCS - Dedicated Bandwidth Servers

Shoutcast / Icecast / Windows Media

Transcoding - Auto DJ - Mobile Radio - FLASH Players - Auto DJ

Broadcasting World's Stream Host of the Month

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We actually host many large FM radio stations in California. It is much cheaper for them to purchase from us and use our services rather than managing the servers themselves and getting a 100mbit line.

 

If you want to host more than 2-5 listeners, just go with a host. Plus, you will probably void your TOS with your ISP.

Stream101 | Affordable Media Solutions

Shared cPanel? Web Hosting | WordPress Hosting | Premium Stream Hosting

TOLL-FREE: (616) 277-7280 | 30 Day NO QUESTIONS Money-Back Guarantee

100% Cogent Free Network | CloudLinux OS | Tier 1 Bandwidth | Grand Rapids, MI

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  • 4 weeks later...
...they are really cheap

 

Not always true. You need to keep in mind that you get what you pay for. You pay cheap, expect cheap service and servers. You pay a bit more, you get a bit more.

 

Make sure you get the server from a reputable host. If you unsure about a host, ask here. I have much knowledge on good and bad things about dozens of hosts I have been with personally, as well as a couple that my company has been with in the past.

Stream101 | Affordable Media Solutions

Shared cPanel? Web Hosting | WordPress Hosting | Premium Stream Hosting

TOLL-FREE: (616) 277-7280 | 30 Day NO QUESTIONS Money-Back Guarantee

100% Cogent Free Network | CloudLinux OS | Tier 1 Bandwidth | Grand Rapids, MI

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dedicated connection(100mbps or even better 1gbit)

Your are talking about a thousand dollars, or more, per month for a 1 Gig Dedicated Bandwidth unlimited connection.

SCS - Dedicated Bandwidth Servers

Shoutcast / Icecast / Windows Media

Transcoding - Auto DJ - Mobile Radio - FLASH Players - Auto DJ

Broadcasting World's Stream Host of the Month

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Your are talking about a thousand dollars, or more, per month for a 1 Gig Dedicated Bandwidth unlimited connection.

 

Those suggestions are said to be only compared in the prices of owning something and investing money to build and maintain it, or to just simply use professional services that offer such for cheaper price.

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  • 1 month later...

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