Uninterrupted Access
to
Gaming
Content
Immediate,
Tata Communications offers networking
solutions that accelerate the secure
distribution of content-rich games
As the potential for the online gaming market worldwide explodes, game developers and publishers are looking for networking solutions that will grow as they do. According to analysts, the online gaming industry is expected to grow from $3.4 billion in 2005 to $13 billion in 2011 and game distributors are scrambling to ensure that networks can accommodate the increasing demand. Key challenges faced by online Gaming operators in today’s fast evolving gaming world -
1. Worldwide Game Delivery Management 2. Data Storage costs
3. Network Security
To address these challenges, many gaming companies are outsourcing their distribution infrastructure and network security to expert providers. Distribution solutions must be flexible enough to scale at short notice, and optimize download performance to give gamers around the world access to titles quickly, reliably and without interruption. Gaming developers and publishers that embrace outsourced infrastructure solutions stand to dramatically improve gamers’ satisfaction, increasing loyalty and boosting market share.
Worldwide Game Delivery Management
Network congestion or server failure disrupts downloads, frustrating gamers and sending them to competitors. Unpredictable traffic spikes require excess capacity, which increases costs. Additionally, game downloadable files are growing and standard proxy/cache based architecture suffer from performance issues in handling large files and have proven cache storage limitations.
High performance & delivery enabled by Tata Communications Content
Delivery Network (CDN)
Tata Communications’ Content Delivery Network (CDN) is an advanced set of fully hosted content delivery services that resolves Game Delivery issues for the online gaming industry.
Unique architecture
Tata Communications’ CDN is based on a distributed origin architecture designed to deliver large files, videos, and other rich media content up to four times faster than other industry players. The CDN platform leverages Tata Communications’ Tier-1, global IP network, reducing routing and transit roundtrip times for simplified architecture and greater reliability.
Fast, Reliable Online Experience
Our distributed origin architecture CDN enables immediate access to content. Each CDN server provides ample storage capacity scaled to enable distribution of multiple large games, and storage of older game versions. Even the most difficult formats, such as High Definition Video, play immediately, uninterrupted, on our platform.
Simplified Worldwide Game Delivery
Flexible content uploads via FTP, WebDav, Rsync, and pull enable for quick and easy distribution of games, upgrades, patches, and new content. Uploaded files are immediately replicated and made available across all Tata Communications’ CDN nodes, providing full redundancy. Advanced features include geo-blocking for limited or local releases enabling game developers to develop localized content and distribution channels.
Resiliency and Higher Throughput
Unlike competitors who rely on multiple IP Transit providers, Tata Communications’ CDN is built upon a wholly owned, global Tier 1 IP network for world-class resiliency and performance. All systems are fully redundant and easily handle the largest traffic spikes for high availability and unparalleled throughput, ensuring users have full gaming access at all times.
Data Storage Costs
As Game operators expand operations to an increasingly global customer base, the investments in data storage and management are also increasing. The Gaming network infrastructure must be streamlined to ensure
• A low latency gaming environment,
• Faster download speeds and eliminate the need for multiple hosting sites
• Manage complex data storage requirements to support the growing number of Gaming titles • Improved data center availability to readily meet the needs of a global customer base and • Disaster recovery plan to ensure business continuity.
Improve virtual gaming experience with Tata Communications Hosting
and Storage services
Tata Communications’ Managed Hosting and Storage solutions provide a reliable and secure network infrastructure for game operators and publishers looking to offer the best virtual gaming experience to subscribers at affordable prices.
• Reduce Up-front Costs -Tata Communications Managed Hosting and Storage service offers subscription-based pricing, which reduces capital investment and allows for on-demand growth opportunities
• Disaster recovery - Our Managed Storage solutions include full redundancy and backup to prevent loss of valuable data for all gaming applications
• Multiple-game distribution & storage -Each CDN server provides ample storage capacity scaled to enable distribution of multiple large games, and storage of older game versions. Additional bandwidth and storage can be added as needed without impacting the system availability. CDN Services also dramatically reduce players’ download time and eliminate the need for multiple hosting sites to locate content closer to customers
• Low latency - As a Tier-1 Internet provider and the largest owner of subsea cables, Tata Communications enables low latency for remote users through an extensive global reach. Sophisticated management tools allow full visibility and administration of your hosted applications..
Staying on top of threat levels is especially critical for online gaming operations where losses can quickly spiral into the millions and, more importantly, damage reputations in the case of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
Ensure business continuity by protecting Gaming assets with Tata
Communications Managed Security Services
Tata Communications Managed Security Services provide an integrated suite of security solutions that address tactical security issues, freeing up resources to focus on strategic initiatives. • 24x7x365 protection - The services include proactive SLAs, 24x7x365 threat detection and
evaluation, and swift incident response and remediation. Access to a security portal for real-time reporting and advanced security assessments ensures gaming operators understand current threat levels and risks.
• Improve network and application uptime and safeguard your customer experience and business reputation
• Avoid capital expenditures and lost revenue from service outages
• Be prepared for a range of attacks with mitigation based on maximum attack size, not bandwidth • Protect last-mile bandwidth and avoid costly over provisioning
* Throughput and time to fi rst byte data are determined using a proprietary application that accesses fi les of the same size and data types hosted on numerous content delivery networks. Colocated servers and end user computers access the fi les every 15 minutes.
Key Features and Benefi ts
• Global, Tier 1 network extending into over 200 countries and territories • Fully distributed architecture enables massive scalability at affordable pricing
• CDN servers with large storage capacity well suited for distribution of multiple games regardless of fi le sizes
• Complete redundancy as fi les, once uploaded to the local CDN server are immediately replicated and made available globally across all Tata Communications’ CDN servers
• High throughput architecture delivers large fi les without buffering or failure and enables application delivery in real time, eliminating Cache-Misses and maximizing end user experience.
• Full control for instantly adding, deleting, renaming, and updating content. No Cache fl ushing occurs on our CDN servers.
• End-to-end, Managed Security Services, including fi rewalls and distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection
• Optional security features protect copyrighted content
• Optional Managed Hosting and Storage services with redundancy and backup options prevent data loss
Domestic Throughput Performance* (In Megabit-per-second)
Tata Communications CDN Distributed Origin Network
(20.38 Mbps)
Tata Communications CDN Distributed Origin Network
(59 ms) Network 1 Proxy Caching (1.31 Mbps) Network 1 Proxy Caching (229 ms) Network 2 Proxy Caching (2.10 Mbps) Network 2 Proxy Caching (263 ms)
Average Time to First Byte* (Time in Millisecond) 25 300 20 250 15 200 10 150 5 100 50 0 0
Leverages CDN for Improved Speed of Delivery
Infocomm Asia Holdings Pte Ltd. (IAHGames) currently hosts award-winning game titles, including EA SPORTS™ FIFA Online 2, Grand Theft Auto IV, Granado Espada and the Midnight Club series. Prior to partnering with Tata Communications, IAHGames was distributing game clients ranging from less than 1 GB to over 4 GB with various regional hosting providers and DVD Rom distribution.
IAHGames chose Tata Communications’ CDN services for rapid implementation, commercial affordability and ease of management. Tata Communications’ CDN services helped IAHGames avoid the capital outlay required for multiple hosting sites. Games are now automatically delivered globally so gamers can connect locally, improving download times.
Golden Boar Chooses End-to-end Network Solution with Built-in Security
Golden Boar Alderney Limited, an online gaming company, was growing increasingly concerned about DDoS attacks against online gaming companies in China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Golden Boar were determined to prevent DDoS attacks and when it came time to add an additional practice site in Singapore, the company chose Tata Communications’ Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), a highspeed Internet solution built on a global Tier-1 IP backbone that offered sophisticated bundled security options. Security options included Managed Firewall Service, and Managed DDoS Detection and Mitigation to protect against potential cyber threats and attacks. Tata Communications’ round-the-clock network and security operations centers now continuously monitor Golden Boar’s network infrastructure. In this way Golden Boar stays focused on running its core operations while Tata Communications delivers end-to-end network solutions.
Why Tata Communications?
Tata Communications, a member of the $62.5 billion Tata Group, is a leading global provider of a new world of communications. The emerging markets communications leader leverages advanced solutions capabilities and domain expertise across its global and pan-india network to deliver managed solutions to multinational and India enterprises, service providers and India consumers.
Tata communications’ range of services include transmission, IP, converged voice, mobility, managed network connectivity, hosting and storage, managed security, managed collaboration, and business transformation for global enterprises and service providers, as well as Internet, retail broadband, and content services for Indian conusmers.
For more information on Tata Communications’ CDN Solutions, Managed Hosting and Storage or Managed Security Services visit cdn.tatacommunications.com
India
Tata Communications
LVSB Kashinath Dhuru Marg Prab-hadevi Mumbai 400 028 Tel +91 22 6657 8765 Fax +91 22 6639 5162
Asia
Tata Communications 35 Tai Seng Street #06-01 Singapore 534103 SingaporeTel +65 6632 6700 Fax +65 6634 8570 Tata Communications 2402 Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Road
Central, Hong Kong Tel +852 3693 8888 Fax +852 3690 2022
Australia
Tata Communications King Street Wharf Suite 503, 35 Lime Street Sydney NSW 2000 Australia Tel +61 2 9299 2014 Fax +61 2 9299 2019
North America
Tata Communications 2355 Dulles Corner Blvd Herndon, VA 20171, USA Tel +1 703 547 5900 Fax +1 703 547 6555 Tata Communications 90 Matawan Rd – 3rd Floor Matawan, NJ 07747, USA Tel +1 732 888 6700 Fax +1 732 888 6809 Tata Communications 1555 Rue Carrie-Derick Montréal (Québec) Canada, H3C 6W2 Tel +1 514 868 7272 Fax +1 514 868 7234Europe
Tata Communications Exchange Tower, Suite 7.03 2 Harbour Exchange Square London, E14 9GE, England Tel +44 20 7519 4610 Fax +44 20 7519 4609 Tata Communications 131 Avenue Charles de Gaulle 92200 Neuilly sur Seine FranceTel +33 1 41 43 4200 Fax +33 1 41 43 4200 Tata Communications Avenida de Europa 4, Bajo A Parque Empresarial “La Moraleja” 28108 Alcobendas
Madrid, Spain Tel +34 916 57 48 90 Fax +34 916 62 06 79
Middle East & North Africa
Tata Communications
Hamdan Street, City Center Building P.O. Box 41660
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Tel +971 2 626 6223
