---
title: Quick Start: ZEN Master
slug: quick-start/quick-start-zen-master
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-04-08T00:41:51.186Z
---

## Introduction

This guide walks you through setting up an end-to-end live video stream using **ZEN Master** as your control plane. You will configure a Source (where the stream originates), a Channel (how it is routed), and a Target (where it is delivered) — entirely from the ZEN Master interface.

If you are working without ZEN Master and configuring Broadcaster and ZEC directly, see the Quick Start - Broadcaster.

## Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following in place:

- **ZEN Master access** — You have a ZEN Master account and can log in. If you do not have access, contact your Zixi account manager.
- **A Zixi Broadcaster instance** — installed, running, and connected to the internet. Broadcaster software and licenses are available to Zixi customers via the Zixi Customer Portal.
- **A ZEC instance on a separate system** (recommended) — For the most realistic scenario, a ZEC installed on a separate system will serve as the target for the stream. This guide includes instructions for adding the ZEC to ZEN Master. If a separate system is not available, the Broadcaster can also be used as the target — this is not a realistic production scenario, but it allows you to complete the full workflow and become familiar with all the essential ZEN Master components. ZEC software can be downloaded from the Zixi Customer Portal by anyone, and license keys can be self-generated at no cost.
- **A source stream** — We will use a sample MPEG-TS file hosted at a public URL, provided in Step 6 below. No additional setup is required.

## Overview of the Workflow

In ZEN Master, an end-to-end stream is built from these steps:



| **Step**                                                                         | **What it does**                                            | **Where**                                                |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Step 1: Login to ZEN Master](docId:1_GftIfM1VvuEmDjnM1wD)                       | Access ZEN Master                                           | —                                                        |
| [Step 2: Create a Broadcaster Cluster](docId\:H5WEZYHIdYMs9cFxsM9pB)             | Groups one or more Broadcasters as a managed resource       | **Broadcasters** → + Add                                 |
| [Step 3: Create an SSH Key](docId\:RHlJL-2F__umZT-SQkz3T)                        | Enables ZEN Master to access Broadcaster and ZEC resources  | **Configuration** → SSH **Security & Keys **→ + Add |
| [Step 4: Add a Broadcaster to the Cluster](docId\:o5nF_lb33zvrhMEFn-cxk)         | Registers an individual Broadcaster instance in the Cluster | **Broadcasters** → select Cluster → + Add Broadcaster    |
| [Step 5: Connect the Broadcaster (Broadcaster UI)](docId:3tiP0Jyyr_7BnaobJhVIv)  | Completes the SSH tunnel setup from the Broadcaster UI      | **Broadcaster UI** → Settings → SSH Connections          |
| [Step 6: Register ZEC in ZEN Master](docId\:n1AdWX4tWkudr--Nr4mOw)               | Registers the ZEC as an edge device in ZEN Master           | **Zixi Edge Devices** → + Add → ZEC                      |
| [Step 7: Connect the ZEC (ZEC UI)](docId:8LFOrJc3WAUHCwsBrvZXE)                  | Completes the SSH tunnel setup from the ZEC UI              | **ZEC UI **→ Settings → SSH Connections             |
| [Step 8: Create a Source](docId\:uprZdOrLmAZsoOj_xxQ9P)                          | Defines where the stream originates                         | **Sources** → + Add                                      |
| [Step 9: Create a Channel](docId\:EHsalbua75N7YKcZADwNx)                         | Defines how the stream is routed                            | **Channels** → + Add                                     |
| [Step 10: Create a Target](docId\:jfTyLKl5I2vmCulvDP39G)                         | Defines where the stream is delivered                       | **Targets** → + Add                                      |