NMOS IS-04/IS-05: Discovery and Connection Basics

Running an IP-based plant without NMOS is like trying to manage SDI without a router. ST 2110 provides the transport, but NMOS specifications make it operable. In 2025, IS-04 and IS-05 are widely deployed to handle discovery and connection in professional media networks.

Why Discovery Matters

In an SDI world, plugging a cable meant you knew exactly where it was going. IP is different. Devices join networks dynamically, and manual configuration doesn’t scale. IS-04 solves this by defining how senders and receivers register with a central service. Control systems can then query the registry to discover available streams.

This removes the guesswork and enables automation.

Connection Management

Discovery alone isn’t enough — you also need a way to connect endpoints. IS-05 provides that through an API. Controllers can request connections, modify parameters, and tear them down, all without vendor-specific interfaces. This creates real interoperability between gear from different manufacturers.

Best Practices in 2025

Deployments today follow some common patterns:

• Redundant registries: Single points of failure are unacceptable.
  
• Version alignment: Ensure all devices support the same NMOS API versions.
  
• Health monitoring: Registries must be watched closely to avoid silent stream loss.
  
• Integration testing: Mixed-vendor environments should be validated in advance.

Facilities that follow these practices report far smoother operations and less troubleshooting overhead.

Benefits Beyond Basics

IS-04 and IS-05 do more than replace manual configuration. They enable orchestration: automated workflows, dynamic resource allocation, and scalable control panels. Once discovery and connection are standardized, higher-level applications become possible.

The Takeaway

NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 are no longer optional extras — they are essential for any serious 2110 deployment. Together they make IP video plants manageable, scalable, and interoperable. For engineers, learning to deploy and monitor them effectively is now part of the core skill set.