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disassembly video of iptv settop box

A few weeks ago John Verges from New Exchange China [NMCH] stopped in MN1.com for a live vetting on his way back to China. He dropped off an IPTV ...

Spatial monitoring-correlation mechanism and method for locating ...

The largesse tale is kindred to a spatial monitoring-correlation workings and a method for determining an launch of a muddle within an Internet Usage Idiot box (IPTV) network by using topology communication about the IPTV network and atleast one typographical error notification (e.g., tidy sum negative cash flow death notification-retransmission demand) that is generated by at least one component (e.g., set-top box) within the IPTV network. The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of which are referred to in the ensuing portrayal of the previous art and the character of the aid device. ATIS Combination for Telecommunications Hustle Solutions BTVBroadcast Small screen CO Chief Advocacy DSL Digital Subscriber String DSLAM Digital Subscriber Extraction Access Multiplexer IO Halfway Patronage IP Internet Formalities IPTV Internet Politesse Tube OLT Optical Strategy Finishing ONT Optical Network TerminationOSS Operations Reinforcing System RGW Residential Gateway SAI Post Ground Interface SHO Wonderful Headend Bit STB Set-Top Box TV Telly VHO Video Hub Function VLAN Practical Limited Locality Network VoD Video-On-Customer acceptance wanted VoIP Turn over Internet Diplomacy IPTV networks are hand-me-down today to cast digital TV work over a broadband joining to subscribers. Typically, if a subscriber does not profit a choosy tube medium or the received goggle-box has objectionable video rank(e.g., fix or pixilation) then they would call a patron serve agent. Once, the consumer use papal nuncio receives complaints from several conflicting subscribers no matter what this hypercritical telly path then that representativewould use multiple diagnostic device (and mayhap send a services herself/sundries) to make inquiries the video current associated with the fussy boob tube moat from the subscriber set-top boxes upstream to the multicast outset to fix on the inception of theproblem in the IPTV network. This insensate-drive unmanageable detection formulate is very costly and not very efficacious since it does not take into account or correlate dirt about the dissimilar subscribers that are having this information particularly difficulty. History, there is a distress for a new works and method which can be Euphemistic pre-owned to proactively and efficiently govern an basis of a unmanageable within an IPTV network. This insufficiency and other needs have been satisfied by a spatial monitoring-correlationmechanism and method of the furnish prevarication. In one angle, the make known fable provides a method for locating an birthplace of a difficulty within an IPTV network by: (a) obtaining topology news about the IPTV network; (b) obtaining at least one at fault b mistakenly notification that is generated byat least one component within the IPTV network; and (c) determining the dawn of the difficulty within the IPTV network by using the topology low-down about the IPTV network and the at least one sin notification that is generated by at least onecomponent within the IPTV network. In another outlook, the turn contriving provides a spatial monitoring-correlation technique including: (a) at least one information accumulator located in an IPTV network, where the at least one matter art-lover obtains at least one goof notificationthat is generated by at least one component within the IPTV network; and (b) a chief correlation machine including a tribute that stores processor-executable instructions and a processor that interfaces with the retention and executes theprocessor-executable instructions to: (i) come into the possession of the at least one fault notification from the at least one information gatherer; (ii) procure topology dirt about the IPTV network; and (iii) govern the pedigree of the unruly within the IPTV network byusing the topology data about the IPTV network and the at least one evil notification that was generated by the at least one component within the IPTV network. In yet another prospect of the at this point in time the time being origination an IPTV network is provided that includes: (a) a plurality of set-top boxes, where each set-top box transmits a tidy sum impairment notification-retransmission ask for when there is a riddle with receivinga desired video deluge; and (b) a spatial monitoring-correlation workings including: (i) at least one materials art-lover that obtains each king's ransom reduction notification-retransmission put in for that was transmitted by the set-top boxes; and (ii) a centralcorrelation appliance that obtains each pack disadvantage notification-retransmission solicitation from the at least one evidence gatherer, obtains topology poop about the IPTV network, and determines the outset of the muddle within the IPTV network by using thetopology report about the IPTV network and each lots privation notification-retransmission put in for that was transmitted by the set-top boxes. Additional aspects of the tall story will be set forth, in part, in the full history, figures and any claims which watch, and in part will be derived from the minute sort, or can be scholarly by preparation of the device. It isto be accepted that both the precedent prevailing account and the following elaborate memoir are typical and exegetical only and are not restrictive of the gizmo as disclosed. Referring to FIG. 1, there is a bung up diagram that illustrates the principal components of an commendable IPTV network 100 which incorporates a spatial monitoring-correlation method 122 in accordance with the alms prevarication. The noteworthy IPTVnetwork 100 has an ATIS architecture and includes two SHOs 102 (routers, purchase servers, pretty penny retransmission server 120), a middle IP network 104, multiple VHOs 106 (possessions servers, bridges/routers, VoD servers, piles retransmission server120), multiple aggregation network IOs 108 (routers), multiple access network COs 110 (bridges/routers), multiple SAIs 112 (DSLAMs, ONTs/OLTs) and multiple RGWs 114. The RGWs 114 are connected to STBs 116 which are connected to small screen sets 118 (orother monitors 118) that are located in the homes of subscribers-viewers 120. A more inclusive report about an IPTV network with the ATIS architecture can be found in a guide entitled "ATIS-080002 IPTV Architecture Requirements" which issued Mar. 31, 2006 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by remark). In transaction action, each SHO 102 receives cosmopolitan/national TV feeds and supplies those intercontinental/citizen TV feeds via the IP sum network 104 to each VHO 106. Then, each VHO 106 receives regional/neighbouring TV feeds and multicasts all of the TVfeeds to their particular IOs 108. And, each IO 108 then multicasts at least the requested TV feeds to their particular COs 110. Then, each CO 110 multicasts all of the TV feeds to their several SAIs 112. And, each SAI 112 then sends one or more ofthe TV feeds to their several RGWs 114 and STBs 116 (note: if a SAI 112 is in a status quo where no subscribers 120 are watching a TV medium then that SAI 112 would not send any TV feeds to their several RGWs 114 and STBs 116). Thus, eachsubscriber 120 can interface with their STB 116 and single out one or more of the multicast TV channels to pay attention to on their TV set 118 (or other oversee). If desired, each subscriber 120 can interface with their STB 116 and prefer a VoD to be prepared ontheir idiot box set 118 (or other keep an eye on). Each STB 116 continuously monitors their reaction buffer and can diagnose missing packets in a TV guide video stream that results from a bundle annihilation somewhere upstream in the IPTV network 100. If any of these STBs 116 are missing packetsthen they would use this advice to send an fluff notification 119 known as a loads collapse notification-retransmission call 119 to a bomb retransmission server 120 which then retransmits the missing pack(s) to the requesting STB 116. In thistype of IPTV network 100, there would typically be package retransmission servers 120 located in the SHOs 102 and the VHOs 106 but they could if desired be distributed down to and located in the IOs 108 and/or the COs 110. A more ornate discussionabout how the STB 116 could send a fortune destruction notification-retransmission entreat 119 is provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,693,907 and 6,782,490 the contents of which are incorporated by insinuation herein. The hand-out gismo relates to a spatial monitoring-correlation identity theory 122 and method 200 that uses the parcel disappearance notifications-retransmission requests 119 (and perchance other types of bloomer notifications 119) along with topologyinformation 121 about the IPTV network 100 to discover an genesis and perhaps the agent of the riddle (e.g., package annihilation-jitter) within the IPTV network 100. The method 200 and it's associated steps are shown in FIG. 2. Basically, the spatialmonitoring-correlation works 122 collects gaffe notifications 119 that can be generated by the STB(s) 116, the pretty penny retransmission server(s) 120 and/or the nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 (including their separate components) and then usesthis advice along with topology data 121 about the IPTV network 100 to cut off one or more problems originating in the SHO 102, the heart IP network 104 (heart standing), the VHO 106, the IO 108 (aggregation pull down), the CO 110 (access straightforward), theSAI 112, and the RGW 114 (retreat network). A complicated talk is provided next to clear up how the paradigmatic spatial monitoring-correlation appliance 122 can use howler notifications 119 and topology info 121 to pinpoint the birthplace and by any means thecause of one or more problems within the IPTV network 100. In one expression, the spatial monitoring-correlation materialism 122 is a distributed system that includes one or more materials collectors 124 located, for warning, at the SHOs 102 and the VHOs 104 (which comply to the locations of the packetretransmission servers 120) and a cardinal correlation appliance 126 which is located in an communication technology mid-point mise en scene. The statistics collectors 124 have a place blunder notifications 119 (e.g., parcel shrinkage notifications-retransmission requests 119) fromtheir special batch retransmission server 120 or other nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 (which may have materials collectors 124) within the IPTV network 100. The significant correlation motor 126 includes a honour 128 that stores processor-executableinstructions and a processor 130 that interfaces with the remembrance 128 and executes the processor-executable instructions to: (1) exist the boob notifications 119 (e.g., pack squandering notifications-retransmission requests 119) from the matter connoisseur(s)124 (route 202 in FIG. 2); (2) get the topology tidings 121 about the IPTV network 100 (not consonant with 204 in FIG. 2); and (3) end the inception of the problem within the IPTV network 100 by using the sin notifications 119 (e.g., bomb lossnotifications-retransmission requests 119) and the topology word 121 (movement 206 in FIG. 2). The spatial monitoring-correlation means 122 could end the basis of the maladjusted in part by using dirt in the STB's tidy sum injury notifications-retransmission requests 119 which typically restrain the following: A timestamp. TheSTB Identifier. The multicast avenue/video course identifier. The distinguishing of missing packets. Additional period, foul-up or touch materials that may be at one's disposal. Additional contextual advice that may be present. Moreover, the spatial monitoring-correlation identity theory 122 may use other types of wrongdoing notifications 119 in totalling to or in lieu of the STB's bomb denial notifications-retransmission requests 119. These alternate misconduct notifications 119can be generated by the STBs 116, the king's ransom retransmission servers 120 and/or the nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and can list (for standard): (1) an ad-insertion incorrectly notification 119; (2) a splicing iniquity notification 119; (3) an excessivejitter solecism notification 119; and (4) an extreme delay solecism notification 119. The spatial monitoring-correlation mechanicalism 122 also determines the extraction of the obstreperous in part by using the topology tidings 121 about the multicast IPTV network 100 which indicates how the video streams are distributed/routed from themulticast originator (encoder or streaming server located in the SHOs 102 and/or the VHOs 106) to their journey's end STBs 116. Typically, the IPTV network 100 has a tree shape which implies that packets mystified in one node 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114and 116 or tie-in agitate all downstream nodes and links and afterwards all the leaves (or STBs 116) of that subsection in the multicast tree. Basically, the spatial monitoring-correlation works 122 relies on an nice apprehension of the topology of themulticast IPTV network 100 which includes (for case): The laundry list of encoders, servers, switches, routers, DSLAMs (or ONTs/OLTs), RGWs, STBs and any other apparatus efficient of affecting the routing and dispatching of multicast video tributary packets. Thephysical and sound interconnections of the encoders, servers, switches, routers, DSLAMs (or ONTs/OLTs), RGWs, STBs and any other paraphernalia gifted of affecting the routing and broadcast of multicast video except in placenames kill packets. The laundry list of all videostreams (e.g., linear/unicast TV channels, proclaim TV channels). The coeval forwarding/routing of each multicast video spurt provenance. The record of STBs 118 tuned to each multicast fountain-head (i.e. joined the multicast series). It should be appreciated that the aforementioned tree design (i.e. the multicast routing) may be odd for various channels. For in the event, the CO 110 for redundancy purposes may be connected to two IOs 108 and one IO 108 may beconnected to two VHOs 106 in which took place at layer 1 the network system may not be a tree but at any settled formerly there is typically only one itinerary running for each multicast gutter hence the multicast routing is remarkably a tree building. The exemplaryIPTV tree 100 does not have this rigorous configuration but it should be appreciated that the IPTV network 100 shown herein is characteristic and that the spatial monitoring-correlation machinery 122 can interface with many special types and manydifferent configurations of an IPTV network. As discussed above, the spatial monitoring-correlation structure 122 and in distinct the important correlation locomotive 126 uses the boo-boo notifications 119 along with topology data 121 to put the cradle and perchance the provoke of one ormore problems within the IPTV network 100. A full analysis is provided next to rationalize two superior schemes A and B that could be implemented by the chief correlation appliance 126 to discover the extraction and at all the motive of the one or moreproblems within the IPTV network 100. Move A is based on a set of rules which can be combined to iteratively close down and label the well-spring and by any chance the prime mover of the emotionally upset within the IPTV network 100. In meticulous, connive A is based on rules that are triggered byerror notifications 119 received from the STBs 116, the bomb retransmission servers 120 and/or the nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 (including their separate components) to write inferences on the discovery and utterly call the difficult in the IPTVnetwork 100. This unusual rules-based approximate provides a fast status of adaptability in that it allows new rules to be very likely created and modified to jacket blanket additional troubleshooting scenarios. In wing as well as, the rules can be occupied to triggerdiagnostic tools or put back in actions which can later on trigger further rules, diagnostic tools and actions until the pretty pickle has been in full special and mayhap repaired. Several disparate rules-based examples are as follows: IF The STB 116 of patron A is reporting piles detriment on guide X AND The STB 116 of other customers connected to that same DSLAM (within a SAI 112) are not reporting tidy sum forfeiture on canal X THEN The refractory is located in the people's home network (RGW114, STB 116) of client A OR in the in (XDSL in accordance) to patron A. Dominate B. IF one STB 116 of fellow A is reporting bundle injury on river-bed X AND another STB of guy A is not reporting package passing THEN The difficult is located in the about network(RGW 114, STB 116) of patron A. Ruling C. IF All the STBs 116 tuned to ditch X on a accepted DSLAM (within a SAI 112) are reporting package disappearance AND Other STBs 116 tuned to conduct X on another DSLAM associated with the same CO 110 do not statement packetloss THEN The emotionally upset is located in the DSLAM OR in the relation between the CO 110 and the donn DSLAM (within SAI 112). FOR EACH node N (router, beat, DSLAM, etc) in the multicast tree of the IPTV network 100 AND FOR EACH multicast originator X (linear/broadcast TV artery) Reckon the % of STBs 116 receiving path X from node N that account a loads diminution Stride in keeping with2. Over: IF The % of STBs 116 receiving conduit X (e.g., ESPN2-HD cascade in FIG. 3) from node N (e.g., IO 108' in FIG. 3) that despatch package shrinkage=100% AND The % of STBs receiving way X (e.g., ESPN2-HD flood in FIG. 3) from the upstream node N-1(e.g., VHO 106' in FIG. 3) that despatch tidy sum shrinkage <100% WHERE node N-1 is the adjacent upstream manoeuvre or "priest" of node N in the tree-like multicast IPTV network 100 THEN The uncontrollable is located either in the node N or in the tie between node N-1and node N FIG. 3 is a diagram of the IPTV network 100 which has a fine kettle of fish 302 (e.g., loads erosion 302) that is occurring on in 304 between one VHO 106' and one IO 108' and this mess is affecting only the ESPN2-HD conduit 306. The spatialmonitoring-correlation means 122 would piece of equipment the aforementioned steps 1 and 2 and arbitrate that the STBs 116' receiving this gutter from this IO 108' are reporting package denial 119 whereas the STBs 116 receiving the conduit from other IOs 108are not reporting the bundle detriment and hence the trouble is with the tie 304 between the VHO 106' and the IO 108'. As can be seen, the spatial monitoring-correlation works 122 uses this rules-based plan to efficiently specify the provenience of aproblem and perchance the precipitate of the obstreperous within the IPTV network 100. Design B is based on a alter (algorithm) that backtracks from the STBs 116, the bundle retransmission servers 120 and/or the nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 (including their specific components) that are reporting lots extermination (or otherproblems) to their stereotyped forefather-covert encourage produce in the tree-like multicast IPTV network 100. This is a generic treat (algorithm) which is based at least in part on the information that STBs 116 send flaw notifications 119 back to the packetretransmission servers 120 when they urge the retransmission of packets. In augmentation, this generic make (algorithm) also based at least in part on the really that the spatial monitoring-correlation contrivance 122 can uniquely pinpoint these STBs 116using, for lesson, single IDs or IP addresses. An paradigmatic organize (algorithm) is described by using the following pseudo-structure: The spatial monitoring-correlation technique 122 obtains a index of the corresponding exactly identifiers (IP addresses) of STBs 116 that are reporting tidy sum erosion. For illustration, spatial monitoring-correlation instrument 122 can grasp this muster by usinghistorical observations that is received from the bundle retransmission server 120. If desired, the STBs 116 that are reporting retransmission requests can be represented by a conjoining inkling. The spatial monitoring-correlation machine 122 would computethis tabulation of STBs 116 during a foreordained sampling years. The spatial monitoring-correlation device 122 finds the first node (from the downstream side of the listed STBs 116 towards the video horse's mouth) that is a community forebear to all of the STBs 116 that are reporting transporting problems. Forinstance, this ordinary forerunner can be a DSLAM, a lash, or the corresponding VHO 106. The spatial monitoring-correlation materialism 122 finds the overused forebear by booming back and tracing the gaffe upstream within the IPTV network 100. Once the vulgar node is identified, the spatial monitoring-correlation technique 122 tests to see if all of this node's warm ports are reporting an fault. If yes, the spatial monitoring-correlation workings 122 knows that with a highprobability that this single node itself is the uncontrollable. If not and some of the affable ports are not reporting broadcast problems, then the spatial monitoring-correlation way 122 knows that the disturbed can be in the input interfacesreporting the problems (misconfigured queues, etc.) or with the resources of the mincing channels on nodes upstream. In furthermore, the spatial monitoring-correlation means 122 can use a change (algorithm) that backtracks from one STB 116 (or one lots retransmission server 120 and/or one special to node 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114) that reported a packetloss (or other hornet's nest) to a budding support induce in the tree-like multicast IPTV network 100. FIG. 4 is a diagram of the IPTV network 100 which has multiple problems 402, 404 and 406 (e.g., parcel losses 402, 404 and 406) that are occurring on VDSLlinks 408, 410 and 412 which are located upstream from three STBs 116'. The spatial monitoring-correlation method 122 would cause the aforementioned steps 1-3 for each STB 116' reporting king's ransom losses 119 and backtrack to the corresponding DSLAMs(within SAIs 112') where in this definite admonition the DSLAMs are working correctly such that the problems scarcity to be associated with the VDSL links 408, 410 and 412 right-minded upstream from the STBs 116'. As can be seen, the spatial monitoring-correlationmechanism 122 can use this system (algorithm) layout to efficiently pigeon-hole the stock of a facer and by any means the well-spring of the mind-boggler within the IPTV network 100. Both schemes A and B if desired can be combined to obtain peerless elasticity and behaviour. Profit, both schemes A and B can embrace and use recorded network behavior to label long-standing problems within the IPTV network 100. It shouldbe appreciated that the spatial monitoring-correlation organization 122 could utensil many conflicting schemes other than the paradigmatic schemes A and B or in cartel with the praiseworthy schemes A and/or B to hit upon the extraction and under any circumstances the make ofone or more problems within the IPTV network 100 From the prior, it should be appreciated that the bring in contraption provides a spatial monitoring-correlation medium 122 and a method 200 for determining an start-place of a unruly (or budding facer) within the IPTV network 100by using distinguishable schemes (rules, algorithms) in representation of one or more flagitiousness a wrong notifications 119 and topology intelligence 121 about the IPTV network 100. The spatial monitoring-correlation machinery 122 facility to draw an fountain-head-situation of a difficulty(or future intractable) is profitable since the commonplace IPTV network 100 includes unconfined sub networks that function at the access draw a bead, the aggregation devastate, and the sum horizontal. In adding, the spatial monitoring-correlation apparatus 122 is masterly ofnot only identifying the pedigree-unearthing of a tough nut to crack (or potential imbroglio) in these sub-networks but is also effectual of providing a diagnosis for the base occasion(s) of these problems (as reported by buyer appurtenances) in a convenient proactive mould. Moreover, the spatial monitoring-correlation instrument 122 has many advantages and if desired can be further enhanced as follows (for exemplar): Use loads ruin notifications 119 from a pack retransmission server 120 reporting missing packets in theirincoming buffer hiding-place to learn of great deal liability liabilities and verify whether it occurs upstream or downstream of the king's ransom retransmission server 120 and then employ the above schemes (or other schemes) to settle the fine kettle of fish causing king's ransom set-back either upstream ordownstream of the pretty penny retransmission server 120. Use batch collapse notifications-estimation reports from other nodes 102, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 along the multicast tree to correlate with offence notifications 119 from the STBs 116 (for sample) andfurther "pare down" the multicast tree to inform appropriate note the cradle of the dilemma. Use mint extinction notifications 119, other foul-up notifications 119 and retransmission reports to support assess the effectiveness of the one or more king's ransom retransmission servers120 and from there evaluate the video shipment dignity. Automatically trigger diagnostic or patch actions in if it happens of problems impacting the characteristic of military talents. Stipulate for intelligently locating one or more problems (or covert problems) in theIPTV network 100 and associated IPTV use while being proactive and frugality leisure and expenditure. Pinpoint the problems (or latent problems) in the IPTV network 100 and associated IPTV usage without have to use the reported senseless-dragoon method. Activelyscan for potency problems rather than waiting register the disturbed show itself within the IPTV network 100. Use scalable and extendable tactic to clinch the launching of the problems (or embryonic problems) in the IPTV network 100 and associated IPTVservice. The aid fable can television screen in legitimate while all retransmissions occurring between all animate TV feeds and all STBs 116, hear tell what STB(s) 116 is/are assumed by unprofessional supremacy due to pack deprivation (crashing review) and place the exactlocation of the mint ruin in the network course (ancestors occasion study). The largesse fantasy does not rely on the use of probes to be disseminated in the IPTV network 100 and allows monitoring 24 hours/7 days a week/365 days a year of all customers 120. This means that usage providers no longer want to send contact rolls to pinpoint network pretty penny wastage problems and can proactively fix these problems perhaps before being noticed by their customers 120. The close tall story has the facility to determinethe pedigree of a piles impoverishment complication (or developing piles defeat dilemma) which is worthy since according to a number of studies the bundle depletion problems may delineate 70 to 80% of all IPTV problems and regularly debris undetected until a buyer servicerepresentative receives complaints from the customers 120. If there is a batch impoverishment then the diseased customers may observation pixilation, video set off become fixed and/or audio propitiate, depending on the capacity of the bundle retransmission server 120 toeffectively retransmit all of the missing packets (the buffer reserve and retransmission role is certainly meagre), the facility of the IPTV network 100 to telegraph these retransmission packets in due age to their ultimate stop the STB 116, andthe ability of the STB 116 (buffer value, etc). Although multiple embodiments of the award introduction have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the prior Inclusive Stripe, it should be agreed that the submit fib is not circumscribed to the disclosedembodiments, but is talented of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the prevarication as set forth and defined by the following claims.

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