# Working with AWS Elemental Link
<a name="feature-elink"></a>

Read this section if your organization uses AWS Elemental Link hardware devices as video sources for inputs with AWS Elemental MediaLive channels. (Your organization might also use AWS Elemental Link hardware devices as video sources for MediaConnect flows. For information about that usage, see [Using Link with a MediaConnect flow](device-use-flow.md).)

AWS Elemental Link is a *hardware device* that connects a live video source, such as a camera or video production equipment, to MediaLive. The AWS Elemental Link hardware device connects to AWS over a secure connection that AWS manages. For information about purchasing AWS Elemental Link, see [Elemental Appliances and Software](https://console.aws.amazon.com/elemental-appliances-software/home#/linkhome).

There are two versions of the device:
+ AWS Elemental Link HD, which can handle HD sources. This is the *HD device*.
+ AWS Elemental Link UHD, which can handle HD and UHD sources. This is the *UHD device*.

For more information about the versions of the devices, see [HD and UHD Link devices](elink-device-hd-uhd.md).

After the hardware device is connected, it automatically appears in MediaLive as a *Link input device*. The *Link input device* is an interface in MediaLive for the external hardware device. In other words, you use the *Link input device* in MediaLive to work with the external hardware device.

After the Link input device exists, you create an *Elemental Link input* that uses that Link input device. You can then use the input as you would use any input—you attach the input to a channel. 

![\[Diagram showing AWS Elemental Link hardware device connecting to MediaLive's Link input device and Elemental Link input.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/medialive/latest/ug/images\link-parts.png)


To clarify the terminology:
+ AWS Elemental Link (AWS Elemental Link) is a *physical hardware device*. 
+ Link input device is the *interface* for AWS Elemental Link in MediaLive. It is the term that you see in the console.
+ Elemental Link input is a *type of input* in MediaLive.

**Topics**
+ [Using AWS Elemental Link for a MediaLive input](elink-using.md)
+ [Using AWS Elemental Link in MediaConnect](elink-using-flow.md)

# Using AWS Elemental Link for a MediaLive input
<a name="elink-using"></a>

You can set up an HD device or a UHD device as the source for a MediaLive input. You can then attach the input to a MediaLive channel.

## Set up the device
<a name="device-use-input-step-hardware"></a>

Follow this procedure if the Link device is new to your organization,

1. Set up the device on the internet. For more information, see [Deploying the Link hardware](elink-setup-device.md).

1. Ask your IAM administrator to give you IAM permissions to work with the Link input device interface. See [Setting up users with IAM permissions](device-iam-for-user.md).

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the MediaLive console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/medialive/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/medialive/).

1. Find out if your organization obtained your device from an AWS reseller. If so, you must [claim it](device-claim.md). 

## Set up the Link input device
<a name="device-use-input-step-device"></a>

Use MediaLive to perform these steps.

1. Open the MediaLive console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/medialive/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/medialive/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Input devices**. The devices that you have access to appear in the **Device list** page. Find the device that you want. If you can't find it, follow the troubleshooting tips in [Viewing your Link devices](device-view.md).

1. Get set up in the correct Region. The device and the flow must be in the same Region. Follow these steps to get aligned:
   + Decide on the Region where you will work.
   + If you want to work in a different Region, [transfer the device](device-transfer-region.md) now. Then switch the MediaLive console to that Region. From now on, make sure that you work in this Region.

1. When the device appears in the **Device list** page, choose the link on the individual card to display the **Device details** page. 

1. Check the message on the **Attachments** tab to determine how the device is currently being used.

   **Device is not being used**

   A message specifies that the device isn't being used, which means that it isn't connected to a MediaLive input or a MediaConnect flow. 

   In this case, the device is ready for you to set it up. See the next procedure.

   **Device is being used for inputs**

   A message specifies that the device is already being used as an input source. You can set up the device as the source for another input, to a maximum of four inputs for a device. Make a note of the current Region. You will have to use the device in the existing Region. 

   In this case, the device is ready for you to set it up. See the next procedure.

   **Device is being used for a flow**

   A message specifies that the device is already being used as a source for a MediaConnect flow. 

   To use this device for a flow, you must first decommission the current usage. You should check with other people in your organization to confirm that no one else plans to use this device is its current usage. Then choose **Detach MediaConnect flow**. 

   After the card clears, the device is ready for you to set it up. See the next procedure.

## Configure the device
<a name="device-use-input-step-configure"></a>

Use MediaLive to set up the device.

1. Get set up in the correct Region. The device, the input, and the channel must be in the same Region, and you must work in that Region. Follow these steps to get aligned:
   + Decide on the Region where you will work. If the device is already being used as an input, you must work in the current Region. Otherwise, you can choose the Region.
   + If you want to work in a different Region and you can do so, [transfer the device](device-transfer-region.md) now. Then switch the console to that Region. From now on, make sure that you work in this Region.

1. Configure the device. If the device was previously used with a different input or flow, review the current configuration and make any necessary changes. For optimum performance, the device must be correctly configured. 

   For more information, see [Configuring a Link device](device-edit.md).

1. Create an Elemental Link input in MediaLive. When you create the input, specify the device as the source. For more information, see [Identifying content in an AWS Elemental Link source](extract-contents-link.md) and [Setting up an Elemental Link input](input-create-link-device.md).

   As soon as you create the input, the input appears in the [**Device details** page](device-view.md), in the **Attachments** tab.

1. When you are ready to use the Elemental Link input in a channel, attach the input to a channel, in the same way as you attach any input. For information, see [The procedure to attach inputs](attach-inputs-procedure.md).

   Typically, you attach the input to the channel after the operator at the upstream system has powered on the AWS Elemental Link hardware device, connected it to the internet, and started sending a video stream. You wait to attach the input, in order to avoid charges for an idle input and for a running channel.

1. There are rules for combinations of devices, inputs, and channels. For more information, see [MediaLive feature rules and limits](eml-limitations-and-rules.md).

## Monitor the device
<a name="device-use-input-step-monitor"></a>

You can use MediaLive to monitor the device.
+ You can [view thumbnails](monitoring-link-device-thumbnails.md) of the content, if the device is streaming.
+ You can [look at metrics to monitor](eml-metrics-input-devices.md) the performance of the device. 

# Using AWS Elemental Link in MediaConnect
<a name="elink-using-flow"></a>

You can set up a UHD device as the source for a MediaConnect flow You can't set up an HD device for this usage. For information about setting up in this way, see [Using Link with a MediaConnect flow](device-use-flow.md).