Golf Channel Case Study Case Study Golf Channel: (W)Hole in One with KVM from G&D Overview
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Golf Channel Case study Case Study Golf Channel: (w)hole in one with KVM from G&D Overview Customer Golf Channel is an American cable and satellite television network and multimedia company that is a part of the NBC Sports Group division of NBCUniversal. Exclusive partnerships with the world’s top tours allow Golf Channel to feature more live golf coverage than all networks combined, as well as a programming schedule distinguished by golf’s highest-quality news, instruction and original content. Co-founded by Arnold Palmer in 1995, Golf Channel’s headquarters A long time ago, probably within the around the world, the channel needs the and studios are based in Orlando, Fla. 14th or 15th century, the first documen- women and men in front of the camera, Golf Channel is available in more than ted, modern Golf matches took place in the colleagues that prepare the content 200 million homes in 84 countries Scotland. What started as a simple game and that do the research about rele- in 13 languages around the world has changed into a more and more pro- vant and interesting themes and also the through cable, satellite and wireless transmissions. fessional sport within the last decades. ones that edit the content and develop Nowadays, golf is increasingly popular the program schedule. To succeed within Challenges around the world. Therefore, tourna- a competitive media market, the Golf Expanding IT environment ments and competitions are interesting Channel team has to deliver the latest Separation of equipment for a huge number of golf enthusiasts top stories about and from the scene and personnel and fans around the globe. and up-to-date content that is unique within the world of golf broad- Products With an audience in 84 casting. KVM matrix & peripherals: countries in 13 languages 2x ControlCenter-Digital 288, around the world, NBC‘s However, all this would not DP HR-DH CPU & CON modules, subsidiary is one of the be possible without the DVI-CON & DVI-CPU, VGA-CPU-UC most successful channels team working behind the KVM extenders: within this international scenes and with the tech- DVI-Vision-CAT-AR (CPU & CON) KVM accessoires: market. Founded 20 years nology this team is using for Multipower12 & Device Carrier ago as the first 24-hour net- the different tasks. As an NBC Features: KVM Matrix-Grid™ function, work devoted to a single sport, affiliate, the Golf Channel is using Push-Get function, the channel has experienced tremendous high-end equipment and systems from TradeSwitch function growth from its initial launch to become well renowned companies which provide a well-established, international channel. systems and solutions for the broadcas- Result and benefits Broadcasting from major live events and ting industry. Removing computers from tournaments around the world, exclu- workplaces for better working sive interviews with popular players, G&D is therefore proud that the Golf conditions daily shows that bring the latest news Channel selected the ControlCenter-Digi- Central system storage in from the golf community to the fans, tal matrix system and that the channel dedicated server rooms Access to multiple platforms via and country specific content produced by trusts into G&D´s 30 year long history the work places the Golf Channel is what the broadcaster and experience as manufacturer of mis- Easy operation of multiple delivers to its audience.To produce and sion critical KVM systems. systems at a time with to deliver this program to the recipients CrossDisplay-Switching www.gd-northamerica.com // 2 Meanwhile, the KVM matrix sys- tem has become a major backbone of the channel’s studio infrastructure in The G&D system has been in Orlando/Florida. Around 200 compu- operation since late 2014 and so far we have had no issues with ters and 50 operators which keep the the system or its components. Golf Channel Studios running 24 hours It’s running very stable and a day and 365 days per year are con- reliable. We indeed trust in G&D’s nected to the G&D systems. Currently technology. The operation and the Golf Channel is operating two configuration is very simple. ControlCenter-Digital and each sys- Our experienced team figured out easily how to work with the tem does provide 288 Dynamic Ports system and how to configure it. (CCD288). The flexible port configura- - Brian Slusarz, tion and the system range enabled the Director Engineering Golf Channel engineers to implement the KVM system easily into their existing inf- rastructure. Since the CCD288 requires only nine rack G&D´s “DVI-CON” operator units allow A big feature of the G&D system units both systems are installed together access without any latency and instant is its simplicity – we actually did not need any help from G&D into a single rack. Saving rack space switching to the different server systems during the installation phase. was critical for the Golf Channel since which are connected to the matrix. What our team likes is the user- the expanding station needs any free friendly web-interface, the low rack space for its further IT expansion. Since the modules do not require coo- latency, the picture quality and ling by fan, the noise within the different the option to work on several Another important feature is the modu- studios is reduced to a minimum what operator modules with a single keyboard and mouse. Besides larity of the CCD system, e.g. that the delivers a quiet working environment for this, we often use the On Screen switch card and the control card can be production, editing and engineering. Display that allows to switch ins- exchanged quickly and replaced with tantly between different sources. cold stand by cards in case a system As the matrix does allow an individual - Andre Veenhuis, Engineering failure might occur. With this option configuration of operator workplaces and the Golf Channel is prepared even for a individual user rights management, the major system problem that has to be sol- system administrators can manage and Another useful feature is G&D´s moni- ved within minutes. control the complete (KVM) infrastruc- toring function since the administrators ture from their engineering room or from have to monitor and to maintain around The operators are located within dif- any of the DVI-CONs installed within the 200 computers and 50 operator work- ferent locations such as Engineering, different operator workplaces. places. (Post-) Production and Editing. www.gd-northamerica.com // 3 Components used within the Golf Channel KVM installation: ⌂ CCD288 frame ⌂ I/O Cards for CAT and fiber (mixed operation); each card does have 16 x Dynamic Ports for individual configu- ration ⌂ DVI-CON and DP-HR-DH operator modules (for the transmission of key- board, mouse and 2 x video via 1 x CAT-x cable) ⌂ DVI-CPU, VGA-CPU-UC and DP HR-DH modules ⌂ Device Carriers for 2, 3 or 12 G&D CPU modules ⌂ MultiPower12 for central power sup- Within the server room the Golf Chan- ply of G&D CPU modules nel decided to use a mix of G&D´s Device ⌂ TradeSwitch function (allows easy Carriers, MultiPower12 units for central and user friendly switching by mouse) power supply and individual power units ⌂ Push-Get function (operators can dis- within certain racks, depending on the tribute their screen content to other operators or receive screen content) available space within those. ⌂ KVM Matrix-Grid™ function The range of up to 140 m (310 ft) from the CPU modules to the matrix and With the CCD systems and its compo- from the matrix to the CON modules via nents the Golf Channel can expand the CAT-x made the installation simple for KVM infrastructure within the next years the technicians – they had not to worry and G&D´s KVM Matrix-Grid™ function about the system range. will help to add different matrix sys- tems within different locations so the For its editing workplaces, the Golf installation can turn into a big, virtual Channel is using the brand new G&D matrix system that is reliable, flexible and DP-HR-DH modules. These modules expandable. transmit keyboard, mouse and 2 x video via one single CAT-x cable. Before using * by Tobias Dreier the DH modules, the channel was wor- [email protected] king with simple point-to-point extender systems which don’t allow as much flexi- bility as the matrix solution. Since the integration into the KVM net- work the administrators can access all editing servers via the matrix system from the central engineering room and GOLF CHANNEL G&D North America Inc. from all operator consoles if necessary. 7580 Golf Channel Drive 7900 Oak Lane, Suite 400 Orlando, FL 32819, USA Miami Lakes, Fl. 33016, USA The operators working within different Phone 407-355-4653 Phone +1-786-456-5115 locations can switch between the availa- Web www.golfchannel.com Web www.gd-northamerica.com ble servers (the web interfaces allows the E-Mail [email protected] administrators to create user groups or individual users with certain user rights). www.gd-northamerica.com // 4 IT’S WHAT’S BEHIND THAT KEEPS US AHEAD LEADING G&D’s KVM systems have a proven reputation in every way – from design to planning, THE WAY IN for long lasting usability and reliability. from installation to technical support. But that’s not all that keeps us ahead. DIGITAL KVM Versatility also plays its part in keeping us www.gdsys.de Because G&D don’t just provide systems, in front. For instance, we offer systems for we deliver solutions. KVM solutions that are a wide range of different video standards tailor-made to meet your specific needs.