OBS Streaming PC - Fail-over Setup
- Thread starter egroj
- Start date
I don't think OBS supports that. I'm not even sure if YouTube supports that. Streaming is generally 1 source -> 1 destination, or 1 source to many destinations. Either way, it's still just 1 source. Even if you do have a fail-over source and a device that can switch to it, you still have that automatic switching device as a single-point failure.
Instead, look at making the one streaming PC as bulletproof as you can. Dedicated function with no other tasks, disable what's not needed, UPS / battery backup for both that machine and all of the networking gear that connects it to the internet, etc.
Instead, look at making the one streaming PC as bulletproof as you can. Dedicated function with no other tasks, disable what's not needed, UPS / battery backup for both that machine and all of the networking gear that connects it to the internet, etc.
Lawrence_SoCal
Active Member
Aaron... Facebook does specifically have settings for a backup stream source. I don't know that such would be that uncommon, but I haven't looked into it
So, I'm going to take the Facebook example, assume (as dangerous as that is) similar for other Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), like YouTube, etc
The way a fail-over setup works is that you stream from 2 sources, simultaneously, and the CDN will switch to the backup source is CDN stop receiving video feed from primary source.
What is required is to consider your failure scenarios, and options/alternatives. In our case, the primary risk is NOT the OBS Studio PC, but rather the Internet connection itself. We do NOT have an alternate Internet connection configured, the only practical option would be cellular, and why bother? it just isn't worth it. We have had a number of issues over the last 4 years. Only a couple (small portion) would have been addressed with a backup streaming computer.
And then you need to consider your source material? Are you using network cameras that can send to two destinations at same time. Assuming desire to avoid single points of failure, that means no shared network storage, instead replicating (and keeping in sync) any media sources, logos, etc. And the physical divergent path networking ? still risk of camera network crash? etc... Not too mention additional staff to run 2nd system. If one person running both, then high likelihood you'll have more trouble if not simply crash both at same time, or the single operator becomes your failure risk. things get real complicated (and expensive) to have true redundancy.. Most people kid themselves with 'high availability' (HA) solutions, that aren't.
IF it is the OBS Studio PC one is having an issue with, I'm completely in agreement with Aaron - fix the computer, as that is way easier, cheaper, and far less complicated. If fixing the computer is too complicated, then I'd advise giving up on HA, as it will be much harder than making OBS Studio PC robust
So, I'm going to take the Facebook example, assume (as dangerous as that is) similar for other Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), like YouTube, etc
The way a fail-over setup works is that you stream from 2 sources, simultaneously, and the CDN will switch to the backup source is CDN stop receiving video feed from primary source.
What is required is to consider your failure scenarios, and options/alternatives. In our case, the primary risk is NOT the OBS Studio PC, but rather the Internet connection itself. We do NOT have an alternate Internet connection configured, the only practical option would be cellular, and why bother? it just isn't worth it. We have had a number of issues over the last 4 years. Only a couple (small portion) would have been addressed with a backup streaming computer.
And then you need to consider your source material? Are you using network cameras that can send to two destinations at same time. Assuming desire to avoid single points of failure, that means no shared network storage, instead replicating (and keeping in sync) any media sources, logos, etc. And the physical divergent path networking ? still risk of camera network crash? etc... Not too mention additional staff to run 2nd system. If one person running both, then high likelihood you'll have more trouble if not simply crash both at same time, or the single operator becomes your failure risk. things get real complicated (and expensive) to have true redundancy.. Most people kid themselves with 'high availability' (HA) solutions, that aren't.
IF it is the OBS Studio PC one is having an issue with, I'm completely in agreement with Aaron - fix the computer, as that is way easier, cheaper, and far less complicated. If fixing the computer is too complicated, then I'd advise giving up on HA, as it will be much harder than making OBS Studio PC robust
liam@turbokast
New Member
Late reply for anyone landing here from search. YouTube does support what Lawrence describes for Facebook: every stream key has a backup ingest URL (shown in Live Control Room under stream settings), and you can feed it from a second PC at the same time as the primary. A couple of gotchas from experience:
egroj, did you end up building something? Full disclosure: I'm a developer who works on live video ingest and I'm researching how people handle redundancy, with an eye to building that kind of hosted relay. Not selling anything. If you'd be up for a quick chat about what you tried, I'd appreciate it. Feel free to DM me.
Liam
- Both encoders need near-identical settings (resolution, frame rate, keyframe interval), or YouTube complains or switches badly.
- It covers the PC dying, but if both PCs share the same internet connection, Lawrence's point stands: the uplink is usually the real single point of failure.
- Switch-back to the primary isn't always clean, and people report it flipping to the backup while the primary is fine.
egroj, did you end up building something? Full disclosure: I'm a developer who works on live video ingest and I'm researching how people handle redundancy, with an eye to building that kind of hosted relay. Not selling anything. If you'd be up for a quick chat about what you tried, I'd appreciate it. Feel free to DM me.
Liam