Channel Roles; Channel Content Servers - Black Box iCOMPEL 2U Series User Manual

Note: It is recommended that the publisher iCOMPEL and each subscriber iCOMPEL run the same software version.
Although later-version subscribers can sometimes display content created on earlier-version publishers, they will fail to
display features no longer supported.

7.1 Channel Roles

In a channel, you configure each iCOMPEL to operate according to the role it performs. The iCOMPEL can have one of
these roles:
Publisher –
The iCOMPEL publishes content to a channel. Subscribers download and display the content.
Subscriber –
The iCOMPEL downloads and displays content from a channel. Publishers create and publish content to the
channel.
Standalone –
The iCOMPEL is neither a publisher or subscriber. It does not take its content from a channel (that is, it is not
part of a digital signage network).
To change the channel role. follow these steps:
1. On the menu bar, click Channels then Manage Channels.
2. Select the required role.
3. Click the
you have selected.
4. Complete the items on the configuration screen (see either
Subscriber for more details).
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Notes:
Some iCOMPEL models are 'subscriber-only' and cannot be configured as publishers.
You cannot change the role of a publisher iCOMPEL if it publishes more than one channel. You must delete all but
one channel to proceed.

7.2 Channel Content Servers

Subscriber iCOMPEL players can download channel content directly from your publisher iCOMPEL. However, this is not
always possible or the best solution for your signage network.
Besides distributing content physically on a USB stick, you can also use an external channel content server (CCS) to
offload channel distribution processing from your publisher iCOMPEL. Each subscriber iCOMPEL polls the CCS for the
latest channel contents in the same way it would poll the publisher directly.
How you publish your channel depends on the number of iCOMPEL players in the channel and the network they are
connected to:
How to Publish Description
On the publisher You store channel files on the publisher iCOMPEL and
iCOMPEL subscribers download them using HTTP, HTTPS
(recommended), or FTP.
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button. If the role is not standalone, iCOMPEL displays a configuration screen matching the role
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Channels and Signage Networks
Configuring the Publisher
When Would You Use This Method?
You only have a small number of subscribers
(typically, less than five) that will not slow the
publisher down.
This method requires no extra hardware.
or Configuring the
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