Introduction

An audio streaming server refers to the method audio is send (see streaming) to the listener.  It also refers to the type of technology used to send audio to the listener.

Configuration Settings

These servers determine several key configurations for streaming audio.  This includes the bitrate of the server, the amount of concurrent listeners, if the broadcasts are available to the mass public for consumption and the web address to listen to the streamed media.

Information Provided

Information passed to the server from the broadcaster includes the title of the tract and its artist, the name of the current show, the name of the station, the genere of the broadcast, and the web address that the broadcast is being delivered from.

Administrator Functions

Administrators of these servers can also obtain information about the current amount of listeners, where they are listening from, and who is currently streaming.

Types of Servers

There are several different types of audio streaming severs, each one performs differently and may require different software to use.

• Shoutcast - created by NullSoft, the same company that made Winamp.  Tends to be the most popular and easiest to use.
• Icecast -
  
• Oddcast -