ApsaraVideo Live uses edge ingest to preferentially ingests live streams to the optimal Alibaba Cloud points of presence (POPs). This topic describes the characteristics and benefits of edge ingest.
By default, edge ingest is used to distribute content for streaming domains that are added after February 21, 2019. No additional configuration is required.
Edge ingest
Backed by abundant POPs that have wide coverage, ApsaraVideo Live preferentially schedules streaming data to the optimal POPs that are nearest to users. In addition, ApsaraVideo Live uses an intelligent scheduling system to rapidly transmit data to an Alibaba Cloud live center for content delivery. This ensures that users access the optimal upstream networks and resolves the issues of stuttering and slow stream pulling during upstream transmission.
Live center ingest (gradually phased out)
The live center ingest mode of ApsaraVideo Live is being discontinued. ApsaraVideo Live uses edge ingest to distribute content for streaming domains that are added after February 21, 2019. Specific new features are not supported in the live center ingest mode. We recommend that you use edge ingest instead of live center ingest. To switch from live center ingest to edge ingest, submit a ticket to contact Alibaba Cloud technical support. For more information, see Contact us.
Benefits of edge ingest
Wide coverage: Edge ingest allows you to use more than 3,200 POPs that are deployed across the world to distribute content. More than 900 POPs are deployed outside the Chinese mainland and more than 2,300 POPs are deployed in the Chinese mainland. This allows you to deploy your live streaming services in most countries and regions.
Intelligent: In edge ingest mode, ApsaraVideo Live preferentially ingests streams to the POPs that are nearest to users to ensure stable content transmission.