For streamers and content creators, platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live offer a convenient way to broadcast video to a global audience. However, these services sometimes lack the control and flexibility needed for specific streaming setups. If you’re looking for more customization, want to stream to multiple platforms simultaneously, or need a private streaming solution, setting up your own Rtmp Server is the answer.
This guide provides a basic walkthrough on how to establish a simple RTMP server on a Linux machine. While some Linux familiarity is beneficial, the process is surprisingly straightforward. An RTMP server empowers you to take charge of your streaming destiny, opening up possibilities such as:
- Multi-Platform Streaming: Broadcast your content to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, and other platforms at the same time.
- Stream Aggregation: Incorporate streams from multiple sources, like different camera angles, into a single broadcast, enhancing production value.
Let’s dive into setting up your own RTMP server.
Step 1: Choosing Your Server
The beauty of an RTMP server lies in its modest resource requirements. It primarily functions as a data forwarder, efficiently routing incoming streams to viewers. Don’t underestimate the power of simplicity! In fact, a Raspberry Pi, a budget-friendly mini-computer, can handle several concurrent streams without breaking a sweat. Even an older computer you have lying around can be repurposed into a capable RTMP server.
A Raspberry Pi, a low-cost option, can effectively function as an RTMP server, highlighting the lightweight nature of RTMP server operations.
If you prefer a cloud-based solution, a Virtual Private Server (VPS) is an excellent alternative. Providers like Linode and Digital Ocean offer reliable VPS options. Keep bandwidth in mind when choosing a VPS or any server option. Bandwidth consumption is calculated as (stream size) x (number of uploaders + number of viewers). For instance, if you have two streamers sending content to your server and you are also monitoring both streams, bandwidth usage can quickly accumulate.
Ubuntu is recommended for server software in this guide due to its user-friendliness, but you can use any Linux distribution. The key is ensuring you can install the necessary dependencies for nginx, regardless of your chosen distribution’s package manager.
Windows and Mac Users:
While this guide focuses on Linux, Windows users can find pre-built nginx binaries with the RTMP module included at http://nginx-win.ecsds.eu/download/. Mac users can leverage Homebrew to install nginx with the RTMP module using instructions found at http://brew.sh/homebrew-nginx/.
For home-hosted servers, you’ll need to configure port forwarding on your router to direct TCP port 1935 to your server. The exact steps vary depending on your router model, so consult your router’s documentation. Additionally, consider using a dynamic DNS service to handle dynamic IP addresses often assigned to residential internet connections.
Step 2: Installing nginx with the RTMP Module
Connect to your server via SSH and ensure you have the essential tools for compiling nginx. Run the following command in your terminal:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install build-essential libpcre3 libpcre3-dev libssl-devThis command installs build-essential (which includes tools like gcc and make), libpcre3 and libpcre3-dev (for regular expression support), and libssl-dev (for SSL/TLS encryption).
Now, let’s delve into nginx. Pronounced “engine-X,” nginx is a high-performance web server renowned for its efficiency and low resource consumption. The magic for our RTMP server setup comes from a specialized RTMP module developed for nginx. To integrate this module, we need to compile nginx from source, as it’s not typically included in standard package repositories. Don’t worry, it’s a relatively simple process.
First, navigate to your home directory and download the nginx source code. You can find the latest stable version on the nginx download page. As of writing, version 1.15.1 was current, so we’ll use that:
wget http://nginx.org/download/nginx-1.15.1.tar.gzNext, download the RTMP module source code from GitHub:
wget https://github.com/sergey-dryabzhinsky/nginx-rtmp-module/archive/dev.zipUnpack both downloaded archives and navigate into the nginx source directory:
tar -zxvf nginx-1.15.1.tar.gz
unzip dev.zip
cd nginx-1.15.1Now, configure the build process for nginx. We’ll enable the HTTP SSL module and add the RTMP module we downloaded:
./configure --with-http_ssl_module --add-module=../nginx-rtmp-module-devThis command prepares the build environment. --with-http_ssl_module enables HTTPS support, which might be useful later, and --add-module=../nginx-rtmp-module-dev tells the configure script to include the RTMP module located in the directory above the nginx source directory.
Compile and install nginx:
make
sudo make installmake compiles the nginx software, and sudo make install installs it to /usr/local/nginx by default.
Start nginx:
sudo /usr/local/nginx/sbin/nginxTo verify that nginx is running, open a web browser and go to http://<your_server_ip>. You should see the “Welcome to nginx!” default page.
Step 3: Configuring nginx for RTMP Streaming
Now, we need to configure nginx to handle RTMP streams. Open the nginx configuration file, typically located at /usr/local/nginx/conf/nginx.conf, using a text editor like nano or vim:
sudo nano /usr/local/nginx/conf/nginx.confAdd the following RTMP configuration block at the end of the nginx.conf file, outside of the http block:
rtmp {
server {
listen 1935;
chunk_size 4096;
application live {
live on;
record off;
}
}
}This is a minimal RTMP server configuration. Let’s break it down:
rtmp { ... }: This block defines the RTMP server settings.server { ... }: Defines an RTMP server instance.listen 1935;: Specifies that the server will listen on port 1935, the standard port for RTMP.chunk_size 4096;: Sets the chunk size for data transmission. 4096 bytes is a common and efficient value.application live { ... }: Defines an RTMP application named “live”. Applications are like virtual directories within your RTMP server, allowing you to organize streams.live on;: Enables live streaming for this application.record off;: Disables recording of the incoming stream.
For more advanced configurations, including stream forwarding to platforms like Twitch, recording streams, and setting up statistics, refer to the comprehensive nginx-rtmp-module configuration guide.
Restart nginx to apply the changes:
sudo /usr/local/nginx/sbin/nginx -s stop
sudo /usr/local/nginx/sbin/nginxStep 4: Testing Your RTMP Server
Your RTMP server should now be ready to accept streams! Let’s test it using OBS Studio, a popular open-source streaming software.
Open OBS Studio and create a new profile (or use an existing one). Go to Settings -> Stream and configure the stream settings as follows:
- Stream Type: Custom Streaming Server
- URL:
rtmp://<your_server_ip>/live(Replace<your_server_ip>with the IP address or domain of your server) - Stream Key:
test(You can choose any stream key; “test” is used here for simplicity)
Configuring OBS Studio to stream to a custom RTMP server, demonstrating the simplicity of connecting streaming software to your newly setup RTMP server.
The “Play Path/Stream Key” in OBS corresponds to the application name (“live”) and the stream key (“test”) we’ve set up. You can arbitrarily choose stream keys; they act as identifiers for your streams within the application. For basic setups, authentication is often unnecessary.
Click “Start Streaming” in OBS. If there are no errors, your stream is likely being sent to your RTMP server.
To view the stream, the easiest method is using VLC media player (version 2.1.0 or later). Open VLC, go to Media -> Open Network Stream, and enter the following URL:
rtmp://<your_server_ip>/live/test
If everything is configured correctly, you should see your stream playing in VLC! Congratulations, you have a working RTMP server!
What’s Next?
With your RTMP server operational, you can explore further possibilities:
- Embed Streams: Integrate the RTMP stream into a website using players like JWPlayer or directly within OBS using the Media Source or VLC Source.
- Multi-Destination Streaming: Forward your stream to other platforms. In your
nginx.conffile, within theapplication liveblock, addpushdirectives:
application live {
live on;
record off;
push rtmp://live.twitch.tv/app/your_twitch_stream_key;
push rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2/your_youtube_stream_key;
}Replace the example URLs with the RTMP ingest URLs and stream keys for your desired platforms. Each push line will forward the incoming stream to another destination, enabling simultaneous broadcasting.
FAQ
Q: Why nginx? Why not alternatives like crtmpserver, Red5, or Wowza?
A: While other RTMP server options exist, nginx with the RTMP module stands out for its simplicity, efficiency, and lightweight nature. Crtmpserver (rtmpd) can be more complex to configure. Red5, being Java-based, can be resource-intensive. Wowza is a commercial (paid) solution. Nginx offers a robust, free, and user-friendly solution for most RTMP server needs. If you require RTSP support (which the nginx RTMP module doesn’t handle), crtmpserver might be considered.
Q: How do I add authentication to my RTMP server?
A: The nginx-rtmp-module supports various authentication methods. You can configure password-based authentication or integrate with external authentication services. Refer to the module documentation for detailed instructions on securing your RTMP server.
Q: How do I record streams on my RTMP server?
A: To enable recording, change record off; to record all; within your application block in nginx.conf. You can also configure recording paths and other recording parameters. Consult the module documentation for recording options.
This guide provides a foundational understanding of setting up your own RTMP server. Experiment with the configuration options, explore the nginx-rtmp-module documentation, and unlock the full potential of self-hosted streaming!
