Included with Windows 2003 is Windows media server, server software that can be used for managing the streaming of video and audio over a LAN or the internet. Darwin Streaming Server, available fromhttp://dss.macosforge.org/ is a free open source alternative, initiated by Apple, which is available for Mac, Linux and Windows.

These server softwares are capable of streaming media in many formats and over a number of different internet protocols compatible with common media players such as RealPlayer, Quicktime and Windows media play.

An organisation’s web host may provide media streaming services as part of the host agreement, but if not and firewall settings permit, media can be streamed from an organisation’s server connected to the internet and links can be made to the video files from web pages stored by the web host.