---
title: Zixi ESAM Agent
slug: market-switching/zixi-esam-agent
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-06-25T20:51:01.517Z
---

## Overview

The Zixi ESAM Agent is an additional software installation on the server hosting a Zixi Broadcaster that adds two key feature sets: 

1. The ability to interface with & act on an externally hosted scheduling service such as **ESNI** (SCTE 224) using SCTE 35 messages or based on wall clock time 
2. The ability to interface with & act on an externally hosted **POIS** (SCTE 130 part 5) SCTE manipulation or conditioning service. 

To do this, the agent sends a SCTE message as well as the source of that message to the external system and receive instructions back—whether to switch inputs to outputs or insert modified SCTE messaging or remove SCTE messaging altogether. You can use the agent to interact with either an ESNI or POIS service, or both.

ESNI and POIS are collectively referred to as “Decisioning Services” in these documents. 

The Zixi ESAM Agent was designed around and adheres to the [Cablelabs I03 specification](https://www.cablelabs.com/specifications/CM-SP-CM-OSSIv4.0?v=I03). 

## Use Cases

- **Scheduling Control:** Zixi enables broadcasters to pre-schedule the delivery of specific feeds based on regional blackout rules, licensing agreements and live event timing.
- **Dynamic Feed Switching:** ESNI Integration into the Zixi Software Platform facilitates real-time switching between feeds based on pre-set conditions or manual triggers.
- **Resource Optimization:** By managing which feeds are sent to specific destinations, the Zixi Software Platform optimizes bandwidth usage and minimizes compute loads.
- **Rights and Content Compliance:** The Zixi Software Platform with ESNI is central to enforcing content rights by limiting where and when feeds are accessible based on geographical or contractual restrictions.
- **Enhanced Viewer Experience:** Broadcasters can use Zixi to ensure the delivery of region-specific content, branding, and messages like SCTE signals for ad markers.

## Requirements

- Zixi Broadcaster 17.5 or later, running on Linux on an ARM 64-bit or X86 64-bit processor
- If you are using ZEN Master, you will need to [Create a ZEN Master API Key](docId\:y5VWL7q34grAoPRjlHzuI) 

## Section Contents

- [ESAM Installation Guide](docId\:QOcjl5ScKXdp4FgeBKHGy) 
- [Agent Configuration](docId\:kmh8XYPqthZ9gVMGAik1G) 
- [How the Zixi ESAM Agent Works](docId\:jgm9F_cY9_ce8Ni9PEQ8Y) 
- [Monitoring and Troubleshooting](docId\:yO9BlSY79XSbn9tanvJrT) 
- [Appendix A: Example Use Cases](docId\:OkJGNsMWU4JLMOw9_LS-b) 
- [Appendix B: Example config.json file](docId\:o-74uavFiUqKsPw4umxrM) 
- [Appendix C: Example SPE and SPN XML](docId:4UThsV96vmuKyfsXpqpxi) 
- [Appendix D: Detailed Architectural Reference](docId\:DMMjur_Nd-AVMmVjMKjoa) 
- [Appendix E: Glossary of ESAM Terms](docId\:PKxdq2_F0q3XZzFsIfwLs) 
- [Appendix F: ESAM Agent Log Reference](docId\:XFH2a-L8VupGr90JoiP2Z)