The Internet Data Link (IDL) system consists of a Server program and a Web Client which are used to display the real-time status of the affiliate network.

The server application monitors the control messages that are sent out to the affiliates' DESCs over the satellite data link.  It also periodically polls each of the DESCs over the Internet to determine their actual tuning status and alarm state.  All of this data is accessible through the Web Client.

The Client application displays a graphical representation of the expected control and tuning state of all of the CBS affiliates, as well as any discrepancies between the expected state and the actual reported state of the affiliate.  The client is a Rich Internet Application developed in Adobe Flex.  It opens a persistent socket connection to the server in order to provide optimal real-time updates without requiring the user to continually refresh the browser.

This image shows the IDL web client.  This application presents real-time maps of the High Definition and Standard Definition affiliate networks in a side-by-side display. Colors are assigned to match the RMS network programming application. The data at the bottom is a key for the satellite tuning corresponding to each map color.  Various sections of the display can be individually resized.
This image shows a map display similar to the previous image, with the data at the bottom showing the real-time tuning status of the selected affiliate.
This image shows the same data as in the first image, but with an enlarged single map view.
This image displays a "discrepancy view" of the affiliate network.  This is a real-time view where any affiliates reporting problems are highlighted in red or yellow (depending on the nature of the problem).
This image shows the IDL server application.  This program polls all of the network affiliates and maintains a database of network status. It prepares summaries of this data for distribution to the IDL web clients.  The server maintains persistent connections to the clients so status changes can be pushed to the clients without delay.