Unified Origin
Unified Origin is Unified Streaming's just-in-time packaging and origin server, available in the NetActuate Marketplace as a bring-your-own-license (BYOL) appliance. It packages a single set of source files on the fly into HLS, MPEG-DASH, Smooth Streaming, and HDS, with DRM, timed metadata, subtitles, and server-side ad insertion (SSAI), so you keep one mezzanine and serve every player and device. Deployed from the Marketplace it boots configured from your seeded values in any NetActuate PoP. It is grouped under the Media & Streaming category.
What It Does
Unified Origin packages one source into every major streaming format on demand. Common uses include:
- Just-in-time packaging to HLS, MPEG-DASH, Smooth Streaming, and HDS from a single source
- Serving DRM-protected content with timed metadata and subtitles
- Server-side ad insertion (SSAI)
- Acting as an origin for content stored locally or in remote (S3 or HTTP) storage
Placing the origin near your audience shortens the packaging-to-viewer path.
Vendor and Project
Unified Origin is a commercial product from Unified Streaming, offered here as a BYOL appliance. You supply your own Unified Streaming license key; the software is licensed by Unified Streaming.
- Vendor home: unified-streaming.com
- Documentation: docs.unified-streaming.com
- Vendor contact: support@unified-streaming.com
NetActuate supports the underlying infrastructure. Application-level support follows the partner SLA class and your Unified Streaming license agreement.
Sizing
| vCPU | RAM | Disk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1 | 1 GB | 10 GB |
| Recommended | 2 | 4 GB | 20 GB |
No VPU (hardware acceleration) is required for this appliance.
Configuration Fields
When you deploy, you provide these fields. They are written into the appliance at first boot. Secret fields are stored write-only in your account.
| Field | Required | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unified Streaming license key (BYOL) | Yes | none | Your Unified Streaming license key. The engine will not start without it and validates it over the network. Delivered through the platform secret pipeline, never echoed back |
| HTTP port | No | 80 | Host HTTP port the Origin engine (Apache) serves on |
| Remote storage URL (optional) | No | none | Optional S3 or HTTP base URL for just-in-time packaging content. Empty serves local .ism from the appliance volume |
Using the Appliance
After the build completes:
- The Origin engine (Apache) serves at
http://YOUR_VM_IP:80/. - Your BYOL license key was applied at first boot and never appears in any API response. License validation needs outbound access on ports
53and80. - Serve content by placing Media Presentation (
.ism) files under/var/www/unified-originon the appliance, or set a remote-storage URL. - Request a format, for example
http://YOUR_VM_IP/NAME.ism/.m3u8for HLS orhttp://YOUR_VM_IP/NAME.ism/.mpdfor MPEG-DASH.
FAQ
Do I need my own license? Yes. Unified Origin is BYOL and will not start without a valid key. Supply your Unified Streaming license at deploy; NetActuate bills only the infrastructure and bandwidth.
Which formats can it package? HLS, MPEG-DASH, Smooth Streaming, and HDS from a single source, with DRM, timed metadata, subtitles, and SSAI.
Why will the engine not start?
The license key is required and is validated over the network. Confirm the key you supplied and that outbound ports 53 and 80 are open.
Version and Changelog
| Version | Status | Released |
|---|---|---|
| 1.15.20 | Current (default) | 2026-07-10 |
Official Unified Origin 1.15.20 image, built on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.
Deploy
- Deploy in the portal: Deploy Unified Origin
- View the listing: portal.netactuate.com/platform/marketplace/l/unified-origin
- Public listing: netactuate.com/marketplace/unified-origin
Need Help?
Contact support@netactuate.com or open a support ticket from the portal.