The RTMP server is a managed ingest and delivery endpoint for OBS, hardware encoders and compatible receivers. Explicit stream access is the safe default; allow-all is a deliberate public-ingest choice.
Before you start
A reachable TCP port.
One real publisher and, if needed, one receiver.
A planned stream key or host access policy.
Settings explained
These are the controls an operator needs to understand. Internal field names and implementation events are intentionally omitted.
Server
Configure the RTMP listener.
- Name and active state
Operator label and lifecycle state.
- Port
TCP port used by RTMP publishers and receivers.
- Buffer length
RTMP buffering used by the server workflow.
Access control
Separate publishing and receiving permissions.
- Explicit access
Require a Stream object with a role and stream key or allowed host.
- Publisher role
Allows a client to send media.
- Receiver role
Allows a client to consume media.
- Allow all
Accepts connections without pre-created Stream access.
Use only when open guest publishing is an intentional product requirement.
Live analytics
Understand who is connected and whether media is flowing.
- Active streams
Current stream count on the server.
- Publishers and receivers
Current connection counts by role.
- Input and output bitrate
Media arriving from publishers and leaving toward receivers.
- Peer address and region
Connection IP and geolocation context shown for active peers.
- Connection duration
How long each publisher or receiver has remained connected.
Safe first workflow
- 01
Create the RTMP server on an unused TCP port.
- 02
Choose explicit access unless guest publishing is a product requirement.
- 03
Create a publisher Stream with a unique key and connect OBS or the encoder.
- 04
If playback is needed, create a separate receiver Stream.
- 05
Verify publisher count, input bitrate, peer address/region and downstream playback.
Workflow examples
Controlled OBS contribution
A known producer sends one RTMP feed from OBS.
How to build it
- 1
Create the RTMP listener and a publisher-only Stream key.
- 2
Enter the RTMP URL and key in OBS and start streaming.
- 3
Confirm one publisher, non-zero input bitrate and the expected peer region.
- 4
Select the verified feed in Recording, Restreaming, Multiview or a Web player.
Guest RTMP publishers with generated stream keys
Your product intentionally lets external publishers create and use their own connection identity.
How to build it
- 1
Define whether guests receive explicit Stream records or an intentionally open server policy.
- 2
Keep publisher and receiver permissions separate.
- 3
Show each guest the correct URL/key without exposing other credentials.
- 4
Monitor connection identity, address, region, duration and bitrate during the session.
Verify the result
- The intended publisher appears with non-zero input bitrate.
- Publisher and receiver counts match the real clients.
- Peer address, region and connection duration appear for the active session.
- An unauthorized key or host is rejected under explicit access.
Troubleshooting
OBS cannot publish
Check- Check TCP firewall and port.
- Match RTMP URL, stream key and publisher role.
- Confirm the server is active.
Test one explicit publisher before adding receivers or downstream processing.
Publisher is connected but output bitrate is zero
Check- Confirm OBS is sending video/audio.
- Check input bitrate first.
- Verify a receiver or downstream module is connected.
Repair the first zero-bitrate boundary rather than changing access policy.