The Media Server routes video streams to the Desktop Client using the shortest available network path. If a direct path isn't available, the Media Server automatically routes the stream through intermediate servers in your Site.

Video stream routing scenarios

The routing path depends on whether your Desktop client can directly reach the Media Server hosting the target device.

Scenario 1: Direct network access

When your Desktop Client has direct network access to the server hosting the camera:

• Local network: The Desktop Client pulls the stream directly from the local Media Server over your Local Area Network (LAN).

• Remote network: The Desktop Client pulls the stream directly from the Media Server over the internet using the Cloud or a port-forwarded connection.

Information flow: Camera → Target Media Server → Desktop Client

Scenario 2: Indirect network access

When your Desktop Client can't directly reach the Media Server hosting the device (for example, in a multi-server Site where only one Media Server is exposed to the internet):

1. The client connects to the internet-accessible Media Server.

2. The internet-accessible Media Server fetches the stream from the internal Media Server connected to the device.

3. The internet-accessible Media Server forwards the stream to your Desktop Client.

Information flow: Camera → Internal Media Server → Internet-accessible Media Server → Desktop Client