The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science


MPhil Thesis Defence


"A Scalable Video-on-Demand System"

By

Mr. Chi-Yin Choi


Abstract

A Video-on-Demand (VoD) system can be considered as a video rental system,
which delivers videos on demand. Due to the large size of digitalized
videos and the expensive and high IO processing power, video servers are
needed in order to provide VoD services in metropolitan areas. Because of
its low scalability, the classical unicast VoD system is not suitable for
large-scale deployments. In this thesis, a highly scalable VoD system with
a low per-user cost is described. We first investigate the system
performance degradation problems that occur during the handling of
interactions in batching VoD systems and in the centralized buffer VoD
system such as the Split and Merge (SAM) system. Then we propose a new
system, called the Multi-Batch Buffer (MBB) system, which attempts to
solve these problems. The proposed system handles a majority of
interaction requests by the scalable buffering techniques employed in the
buffer of the local servers and the set-top boxes (STBs). Extensive
simulations and analysis will demonstrate that our proposed VoD system can
tackle the system degradation problems in a cost effective way, and
outperforms related state-of-the-art VoD systems.


Date:			Saturday, 23 December 2000

Time:			10:00a.m.-12:00noon
	
Venue:			Chen Kuan Cheng Forum
			(Lecture Theater H)
			Lifts 27-28

Chairman:		Dr. Rudolf Fleischer

Committee Members:	Dr. Mounir Hamdi (Supervisor)
			Dr. Brahim Bensaou
			Dr. Jelena Misic


**** ALL are Welcome ****