We are conducting R&D on a distributed broadcasting-station system that allows program creators and editors to work in a single web-browser-based environment and use video materials and production equipment distributed across many stations. The system consists of a front-end system, on which the user does editing through a web browser, and a back-end system consisting of a web server that manages the editing on a distributed computing system, a file server using peer-to-peer (P2P) technology with a distributed file system to manage files, and software for processing distributed video content. It uses high-speed IP-based file transfer protocol between servers separated by long distances. In FY2009, we improved the editing speed and accuracy, developed management functions for the distributed file system, and increased the stability of file transfer.

To make editing with this system more productive, we added a web-server function to identify differences for editing operations and a file-system function to transport only what is needed for editing. Also, to increase the accuracy of editing operations, we developed a file server that lets the web browser access individual frames in a video file.

For the distributed file system, we developed a method for using P2P nodes that have only system-management functions. This method enables us to monitor the system state and to add new or improved file operations without having to shut down the system. We implemented functions for visualizing, managing, and balancing capacity on each storage device as well as functions for balancing client access load. We demonstrated the effectiveness of these methods.

For the file transfer protocols, we added functions for the receiving side to control the speed of individual file transfers according to priority and for stable transmission of urgent news and other files quickly. We experimentally demonstrated these functions.

Figure. Structure and operation of the flexible production system