Does anyone here actually oppose Network Neutrality?

[theprestige]

I work for a small-ish ISP (We don't even cover an entire state!). You know how we handled the Netflix problem? We have a server internal to our network that contains the entire netflix library. Boom. Anyone streams from Netflix, traffic stays inside our network.

Problem solved. Any other ISP can do this. They simply choose not to.

A single server with locally attached storage? The entire Netflix library? Tell me more!

Also, how does streaming Netflix traffic across your network solve the problem of streaming Netflix traffic across your network?

 

[elbe]

A single server with locally attached storage? The entire Netflix library? Tell me more!

While I would assume Mister Earl is being overly simplistic, there are devices that should be able to account for their entire library.

 

[marplots]

While I would assume Mister Earl is being overly simplistic, there are devices that should be able to account for their entire library.

I'm still stuck wondering why Netflix allows this. For example, how would they guarantee payment?

 

[Newtons Bit]

I'm still stuck wondering why Netflix allows this. For example, how would they guarantee payment?

It's a Netflix server that provides the Netflix service, but doesn't require the users packets to leave the ISP's network. This is cheaper for the ISP, as they have to pay for bandwidth that leaves their network.

 

[elbe]

I'm still stuck wondering why Netflix allows this. For example, how would they guarantee payment?

Based on the explanation I would suspect that Netflix may have a mirroring system in place for ISPs that may want to cache some content "locally" to help with end user streaming. I would imagine they'd be encrypted in some way that the netflix software can decrypt. If I were given that option, however, I'd probably cache on demand, and not the entire library in advance which seems like a waste of overhead.

So, as Newtons Bit said, they have the "Open Connect" device. They also, according to that link, offer software and hardware specifications that may suggest people could build their own devices.

 

[3point14]

No.

Yes.

Not really.

For a use case, imagine that one day Facebook takes 3 or 4 times as long to load than it used to. Meanwhile, MySpace is moving along at top speed. MySpace has essentially paid to restrict your access based on its criteria.

Now, consider that the Next New Thing in social media can hardly be used because it can't afford to compete with the deep pockets of those big boys. Innovations are artificially inhibited without network neutrality.

Imagine an incumbent who can pay to make a political challenger's website almost impossible to use.

Network neutrality is critical for pretty much everything now.

Good post, enhanced my understanding. Thanks.

 

[marplots]

It's a Netflix server that provides the Netflix service, but doesn't require the users packets to leave the ISP's network. This is cheaper for the ISP, as they have to pay for bandwidth that leaves their network.

OK, that makes sense. I had in mind some super-torrent thing and stolen files. I see it doesn't have to be so.

Still, someone else asked about the bottleneck problem. If the choke point is between the ISP and its customers (instead of the ISP and their provider), having a local server wouldn't help, would it?

 

[elbe]

Still, someone else asked about the bottleneck problem. If the choke point is between the ISP and its customers (instead of the ISP and their provider), having a local server wouldn't help, would it?

I think this Netflix issue has more to do with the bandwidth costs of getting the content from outside their network, which is why Comcast made that deal to get Netflix to pay them to act as an intermediary. I wonder if anyone at Netflix suggested the Open Connect option to them.

 

[Upchurch]

Good post, enhanced my understanding. Thanks.

All the more apropos for me because, since I wrote that post, I've started working for a social media start up that I would very much like to be the Next New Thing. Losing Network Neutrality will make it take longer to reach the profitability horizon and increase the probability that we won't be successful.

Killing Network Neutrality means a fast buck for ISPs and disaster for the rest of us.

 

[sir drinks-a-lot]

A single server with locally attached storage? The entire Netflix library? Tell me more!

Also, how does streaming Netflix traffic across your network solve the problem of streaming Netflix traffic across your network?

Yeah, I'd also love to hear more about this. How are logins handled? Who do customers contact about streaming issues?

 

[Mister Earl]

A single server with locally attached storage? The entire Netflix library? Tell me more!

Also, how does streaming Netflix traffic across your network solve the problem of streaming Netflix traffic across your network?

First, couldn't tell you much about it. I doubt it's a single server. We just have the entire library cached here. As far as the traffic across our network, it isn't an issue. We keep everything running at about 50% capacity. If part of our network wonders above 50%, we put in more hardware. Heck, even if one of our UBRs out in the field gets close to 50%, we go out there and build another one. Peak hour issues are almost impossible on our network.

 

[Mister Earl]

Yeah, I'd also love to hear more about this. How are logins handled? Who do customers contact about streaming issues?

Not sure about the logins. If they have trouble streaming, they call us. I'm one of the support apes they get on the horn when something isn't working right.

 

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Go to Netflix.com and append /openconnect to the base URL. Good information there and a Deployment Guide as well. I think it said in there somewhere that for qualified ISPs they are provided free of charge.

DPR

 

[GodMark2]

First, couldn't tell you much about it. I doubt it's a single server. We just have the entire library cached here. As far as the traffic across our network, it isn't an issue. We keep everything running at about 50% capacity. If part of our network wonders above 50%, we put in more hardware. Heck, even if one of our UBRs out in the field gets close to 50%, we go out there and build another one. Peak hour issues are almost impossible on our network.

An ISP making the sane, proper, and intelligent choice rather than obfuscating errors and continuing their self-defeating behavior? I call shenanigans!

 

[Mister Earl]

An ISP making the sane, proper, and intelligent choice rather than obfuscating errors and continuing their self-defeating behavior? I call shenanigans!

That's why I like this place. I can brag about our services here to customers without taking the usual Karma hit

 

[KoihimeNakamura]

I wish [comcast] would do something like that...

 

[Puppycow]

Sorry for necromancing this thread, but they're still at it.



It's been nearly four years. Is anyone still unclear what Network Neutrality or why it is such a phenomenally bad idea for everyone who doesn't own an ISP?

Well at least the fox is guarding the henhouse.

Thanks Obama!

 

[marplots]

Finally, a way to monetize Twitter.

 

[foophil]

We implement no caps, throttling, or packet shaping for any customer.

I think I see where your problem is. You shouldn't offer unlimited data and cry when too many people start using it.

 

[Corsair 115]

Saw this article at the CBC News web site; I thought it had some bearing on the issue at hand.

Netflix, Verizon dispute goes public amid Orange is the New Black debut. 'Dispute over streaming speeds heats up after Netflix agrees to pay for faster service.'