Broadcast IT is Everywhere
Live production has outgrown the traditional studio. Today’s broadcast environments stretch across control rooms, mobile trucks, data centers, remote edit bays, and cloud-hosted GPU resources. This hybrid approach is powerful—but also complex.
Managing access to all these systems, across different teams and locations, is one of the biggest challenges broadcast IT faces today. Editors, engineers, graphics teams, and post-production crews need seamless, secure access to high-performance environments—without delays, bottlenecks, or manual workarounds.
So how do you simplify access across this sprawling, always-on infrastructure?
The Complexity of Hybrid Broadcast Infrastructure
Broadcast teams often rely on a mix of:
- On-prem hardware: Racked workstations, GPU-powered servers, and specialized equipment
- Cloud-based HPC solutions: Used for burst rendering, remote access, and collaborative editing
- Remote endpoints: Laptops, thin clients, and home setups for distributed teams
- Multiple display protocols: Amazon DCV, HP Anyware, and more
Without a unified access strategy, managing who gets into what system (and when) becomes a full-time job.
Some common challenges:
- Manually juggling access across cloud and on-prem
- VPN performance bottlenecks
- Underutilized high performance servers
- Lack of visibility into user sessions or system load
- Difficulty scaling during high-demand events
Simplifying Broadcast Access at Scale
To manage access across hybrid infrastructure without introducing lag or risk, broadcast IT teams need tools and processes built for flexibility, security, and performance.
Here are four best practices:
1. Centralize Policy Control
Use one platform to manage access for all environments—cloud, on-prem, and hybrid setups. Role-based rules let you control who can access what, when, and from where.
2. Automate Resource Provisioning
Spin up cloud-based GPU instances or power on local machines only when users connect. Then shut them down when not in use. This keeps costs low and ensures availability when needed.
3. Support Multiple Protocols
Different workflows need different tools. By supporting Amazon DCV, HP Anyware (PCoIP), Remote Boost, and others, you can match the right protocol to the task without compromising performance.
4. Monitor Everything in One Place
Keep tabs on session activity, resource usage, and access logs across the board. Centralized monitoring ensures uptime, streamlines support, and boosts security.
Built for Live Broadcast
Hybrid infrastructure isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s becoming the norm. From sports coverage and award shows to 24/7 newsrooms and OTT platforms, broadcast production demands fast, flexible, and reliable access to compute resources—wherever they live.
With the right access strategy, you can:
- Eliminate lag in GPU workflows
- Scale for big events without overprovisioning
- Route users based on location or project needs
- Enforce least-privilege access with ease
Final Thoughts
Managing access across cloud, on-prem, and remote infrastructure doesn’t have to be a juggling act. With a centralized approach to HPC cluster management, protocol brokering, and digital workspace access, broadcast IT teams can support their entire pipeline—from pre to post—without missing a beat.
Curious how other teams are making it work? Check out our full solution brief here.