A method for remote positioning and delimiting of IPTV service faults based on packet capturing

Abstract

The application provides a method for remote positioning and delimiting of IPTV service failure based on packet capture, which establishes a standard packet capture file library and corresponding positioning and delimiting process. When an IPTV set-top box fails, the method starts the positioning and delimiting process in an automatic or manual way. The terminal network management remotely triggers the set-top box to restart, capture packets and upload the captured packet files through a command mode, matches the standard packet capture files and performs comparison, detects the failure point through the comparison process and determines the failure position. The method comprises the following steps: step S1, establishing a standard packet capture file library; step S2, respectively deploying packet capture file comparison services on the set-top box side and the server side; step S3, starting the packet capture of the failure set-top box; step S4, comparing and analyzing the obtained packet capture files; and step S5, displaying the comparison result. The application can overcome the existing positioning and delimiting problem of IPTV set-top box failure and automatically control the failure IPTV set-top box to capture the data packets for failure maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of information technology, and in particular to a method for remotely locating and delimiting IPTV service faults based on packet capture. Background Technology

[0002] There are numerous IPTV set-top box manufacturers, with a wide variety of equipment models, software and hardware versions, and numerous platforms involved. When a fault occurs, it is difficult to accurately locate the specific device or platform, which poses a significant challenge to IPTV fault maintenance.

[0003] Existing packet capture solutions have the following drawbacks:

[0004] 1. Packet capture is not possible remotely; installation and maintenance personnel can only capture packets on-site. Furthermore, the packet capture methods differ between set-top boxes from different manufacturers and models, affecting efficiency.

[0005] 2. Packet capture files cannot be automatically compared and can only be analyzed manually. Packet capture files from different manufacturers, models, and products are also different. The analysis results depend on personal experience and often cannot provide accurate location information.

[0006] 3. There is no standard packet capture file library, so analysts can only rely on experience for analysis. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention proposes a remote location and delimitation method for IPTV service faults based on packet capture, which can overcome the existing difficulties in locating and delimiting faults in IPTV set-top boxes and automatically control the faulty IPTV set-top box to capture data packets for fault diagnosis.

[0008] The present invention adopts the following technical solution.

[0009] A method for remotely locating and delimiting IPTV service faults based on packet capture is provided. The method establishes a standard packet capture file library and a corresponding location and delimitation process. When the IPTV set-top box malfunctions, the method initiates the location and delimitation process automatically or manually. The terminal network management system remotely triggers the set-top box to restart, capture packets, and upload the captured packets via commands. The captured packets are matched against the standard packet capture files and compared. The fault point is detected and the fault location is determined through the comparison process. The method includes the following steps:

[0010] Step S1: Establish a standard packet capture file library;

[0011] Step S2: Deploy packet capture file comparison services on both the set-top box and server sides;

[0012] Step S3: Start packet capture for the faulty set-top box;

[0013] Step S4: Compare and analyze the acquired packet capture files;

[0014] Step S5: Display the comparison results.

[0015] Step S1 specifically includes the following steps;

[0016] Step S101: Collect standard boot packet capture files for each manufacturer, model, and product group.

[0017] Step S102: Store the standard boot packet capture file; manage it by grouping according to manufacturer, model, and product.

[0018] Step S2 specifically includes the following steps;

[0019] Step S201: Deploy the packet capture file comparison service, and establish a comparison process in the comparison service. The comparison process includes receiving packet capture files, matching manufacturers, matching models, matching product groups, parsing packet capture files, comparing packet capture files, and displaying comparison results.

[0020] Step S202: Deploy a packet capture service on the set-top box side. The packet capture service on the set-top box side includes command reception, packet capture, and packet capture file upload.

[0021] Step S203: Deploy a packet capture service on the server side. The server-side packet capture service includes command issuance and file reception.

[0022] Step S3 specifically includes the following steps;

[0023] Step S301: Remotely configure packet capture service for the faulty set-top box; the set-top box network management system issues a packet capture command to the set-top box, including the packet capture duration;

[0024] Step S302: Remotely restart the set-top box;

[0025] Step S303: After receiving the restart command, the set-top box restarts, starts packet capture, and stores the packet capture file in the set-top box.

[0026] Step S304: After the packet capture time is reached, the set-top box stops packet capture;

[0027] Step S305: The set-top box uploads the packet capture file.

[0028] Step S4 specifically includes the following steps;

[0029] Step S401: The server receives the packet capture file uploaded by the set-top box.

[0030] Step S402: Match standard packet capture files, that is, match standard packet capture files according to the manufacturer, model and product group in the standard packet capture file library;

[0031] Step S403: Packet capture file comparison; that is, according to the matching result, the comparison service is called to compare the packet capture file; during the comparison, the boot packet is parsed first, and then the packet capture file is compared sequentially according to the boot process. The comparison is made to evaluate whether the set-top box boot process recorded in the packet capture file is the same as the standard boot file. If they are different, it indicates an abnormality. The abnormal part is the faulty part.

[0032] Step S404: Output the comparison results.

[0033] In step S5, the comparison results are displayed on the server-side interactive interface.

[0034] The remote positioning and delimitation method is used to determine the network layer used by the IPTV service to which the abnormal link belongs when an abnormality occurs during the set-top box startup process. The network layer includes:

[0035] Home network layer: This layer contains set-top boxes and optical modems, with the set-top boxes directly connected to the optical modems;

[0036] Internet Layer: This layer provides access channels for the operator's internet, including set-top boxes and servers;

[0037] External DMZ: This layer is the external network on the user side. The configuration server is deployed in this layer, and the set-top box only communicates with this layer.

[0038] Internal DMZ: This layer serves as an intermediary to prevent direct communication between the external and internal networks, acting as a bridge between them. Application servers that directly communicate with the configuration server are deployed in this layer.

[0039] Intranet: This layer is the user's intranet, where database servers, interface servers, UI servers, etc., are deployed. User-related systems are also deployed in this layer.

[0040] The boot sequence of the set-top box includes power-on self-test, network connection, network management reporting, network management authentication, unified authentication system authentication, EDS scheduling, EPG authentication, advertisement playback, and display of the EPG homepage.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0042] 1. This invention implements a packet capture method for IPTV set-top boxes from different manufacturers and models, providing a standardized comparison process that reduces the need for on-site service by operators and saves labor costs.

[0043] 2. This invention can analyze and diagnose IPTV service faults in a timely and accurate manner, thereby providing accurate means for rapid fault location, improving service quality, and increasing customer satisfaction. Attached Figure Description

[0044] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0045] Appendix Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the IPTV application system deployment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall process of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0047] As shown in the figure, a remote fault location and delimitation method for IPTV services based on packet capture is described. The method establishes a standard packet capture file library and a corresponding location and delimitation process. When the IPTV set-top box malfunctions, the method initiates the location and delimitation process automatically or manually. The terminal network management system remotely triggers the set-top box to restart, capture packets, and upload the captured packets via commands. The captured packets are matched against the standard packet capture files and compared. The fault point is detected and the fault location is determined through the comparison process. The method includes the following steps:

[0048] Step S1: Establish a standard packet capture file library;

[0049] Step S2: Deploy packet capture file comparison services on both the set-top box and server sides;

[0050] Step S3: Start packet capture for the faulty set-top box;

[0051] Step S4: Compare and analyze the acquired packet capture files;

[0052] Step S5: Display the comparison results.

[0053] Step S1 specifically includes the following steps;

[0054] Step S101: Collect standard boot packet capture files for each manufacturer, model, and product group.

[0055] Step S102: Store the standard boot packet capture file; manage it by grouping according to manufacturer, model, and product.

[0056] Step S2 specifically includes the following steps;

[0057] Step S201: Deploy the packet capture file comparison service, and establish a comparison process in the comparison service. The comparison process includes receiving packet capture files, matching manufacturers, matching models, matching product groups, parsing packet capture files, comparing packet capture files, and displaying comparison results.

[0058] Step S202: Deploy a packet capture service on the set-top box side. The packet capture service on the set-top box side includes command reception, packet capture, and packet capture file upload.

[0059] Step S203: Deploy a packet capture service on the server side. The server-side packet capture service includes command issuance and file reception.

[0060] Step S3 specifically includes the following steps;

[0061] Step S301: Remotely configure packet capture service for the faulty set-top box; the set-top box network management system issues a packet capture command to the set-top box, including the packet capture duration;

[0062] Step S302: Remotely restart the set-top box;

[0063] Step S303: After receiving the restart command, the set-top box restarts, starts packet capture, and stores the packet capture file in the set-top box.

[0064] Step S304: After the packet capture time is reached, the set-top box stops packet capture;

[0065] Step S305: The set-top box uploads the packet capture file.

[0066] Step S4 specifically includes the following steps;

[0067] Step S401: The server receives the packet capture file uploaded by the set-top box.

[0068] Step S402: Match standard packet capture files, that is, match standard packet capture files according to the manufacturer, model and product group in the standard packet capture file library;

[0069] Step S403: Packet capture file comparison; that is, according to the matching result, the comparison service is called to compare the packet capture file; during the comparison, the boot packet is parsed first, and then the packet capture file is compared sequentially according to the boot process. The comparison is made to evaluate whether the set-top box boot process recorded in the packet capture file is the same as the standard boot file. If they are different, it indicates an abnormality. The abnormal part is the faulty part.

[0070] Step S404: Output the comparison results.

[0071] In step S5, the comparison results are displayed on the server-side interactive interface.

[0072] The remote positioning and delimitation method is used to determine the network layer used by the IPTV service to which the abnormal link belongs when an abnormality occurs during the set-top box startup process. The network layer includes:

[0073] Home network layer: This layer contains set-top boxes and optical modems, with the set-top boxes directly connected to the optical modems;

[0074] Internet Layer: This layer provides access channels for the operator's internet, including set-top boxes and servers;

[0075] External DMZ: This layer is the external network on the user side. The configuration server is deployed in this layer, and the set-top box only communicates with this layer.

[0076] Internal DMZ: This layer serves as an intermediary to prevent direct communication between the external and internal networks, acting as a bridge between them. Application servers that directly communicate with the configuration server are deployed in this layer.

[0077] Intranet: This layer is the user's intranet, where database servers, interface servers, UI servers, etc., are deployed. User-related systems are also deployed in this layer.

[0078] The boot sequence of the set-top box includes power-on self-test, network connection, network management reporting, network management authentication, unified authentication system authentication, EDS scheduling, EPG authentication, advertisement playback, and display of the EPG homepage.

[0079] In this example, the data storage example of the standard packet capture file library is as follows:

[0080] Manufacturer: Huawei

[0081] Model: EC6108V9U_pub_fjmdx

[0082] Product Group: Premium Edition

[0083] Packet capture file name: huawei_zunxiang.pcap

[0084] File storage path: / huawei_zunxiang.pcap

[0085] Manufacturer: Huawei

[0086] Model: EC6108V9U_pub_fjmdx

[0087] Product Grouping: Industry Edition

[0088] Packet capture file name: huawei_hangye.pcap

[0089] File storage path: / huawei_hangye.pcap

[0090] Manufacturer: ZTE

[0091] Model: B860AV1.1-T

[0092] Product Grouping: Industry Edition

[0093] Packet capture file name: zte_hangye.pcap

[0094] File storage path: / zte_hangye.pcap.

[0095] In this example, when a user encounters a fault while using the IPTV set-top box, they contact the server to report the fault and request repair. The server's set-top box network management system remotely sends a packet capture command to the set-top box that reported the fault.

[0096] In this example, after the set-top box starts up, it automatically checks with a specific server to see if there is a packet capture command. If so, it automatically restarts and performs packet capture for the duration specified in the command. The packet capture duration is not less than the time taken for the set-top box to complete the entire startup process, including power-on self-test, network connection, network management reporting, network management authentication, unified authentication system authentication, EDS scheduling, EPG authentication, advertising playback, and displaying the EPG homepage. This ensures that the data packets captured by the set-top box can completely cover the entire startup process of the set-top box.

Claims

1. A method for remote location and delimitation of IPTV service faults based on packet capture, characterized in that: The method establishes a standard packet capture file library and a corresponding location and delimitation process. When the IPTV set-top box malfunctions, the method initiates the location and delimitation process automatically or manually. The terminal network management system remotely triggers the set-top box to restart, capture packets, and upload the packet capture file via command. The system matches and compares the standard packet capture file, and detects the fault point and determines the fault location through the comparison process. Includes the following steps; Step S1: Establish a standard packet capture file library; Step S2: Deploy packet capture file comparison services on both the set-top box and server sides; Step S3: Start packet capture for the faulty set-top box; Step S4: Compare and analyze the acquired packet capture files; Step S5: Display of comparison results; Step S3 specifically includes the following steps; Step S301: Remotely configure packet capture service for the faulty set-top box; the set-top box network management system issues a packet capture command, including the packet capture duration, to the set-top box; Step S302: Remotely restart the set-top box; Step S303: After receiving the restart command, the set-top box restarts, starts packet capture, and stores the packet capture file in the set-top box. Step S304: After the packet capture time is reached, the set-top box stops packet capture; Step S305: The set-top box uploads the packet capture file; The remote positioning and delimitation method is used to determine the network layer used by the IPTV service to which the abnormal link belongs when an abnormality occurs during the set-top box startup process. The network layer includes: Home network layer: Set-top box and optical modem, set-top box directly connected to optical modem; Internet layer: Provides access channels for the operator's internet, set-top boxes, and servers; External DMZ: This is the external network on the user side. The external DMZ is used to deploy and configure servers. The set-top box only communicates with the external DMZ. Internal DMZ: An intermediate layer to prevent direct communication between the external network and the internal network, serving as a communication channel between the internal and external networks; An application server that communicates directly with the configuration server is deployed in the internal DMZ. Intranet: The intranet is the user's internal network, where database servers, interface servers, and UI servers are deployed. User-related systems are also deployed at this layer. The power-on process of the set-top box includes power-on self-test, network connection, network management reporting, network management authentication, unified authentication system authentication, EDS scheduling, EPG authentication, advertisement playback, and display of EPG homepage. The specific usage method of the packet capture-based remote location and delimitation method for IPTV service faults is as follows: When a user encounters a fault while using an IPTV set-top box, they contact the server to report the fault and request repair. The server's set-top box network management system remotely sends a packet capture command to the set-top box that reported the fault. After the set-top box starts up, it automatically checks the server for a packet capture command. If a command is found, it automatically restarts and performs packet capture for the duration specified in the command. The packet capture duration is no less than the duration used for the set-top box's power-on self-test, network connection, network management reporting, network management authentication, unified authentication system authentication, EDS scheduling, EPG authentication, advertising playback, and display of the EPG homepage, so that the data packets captured by the set-top box can completely cover the entire startup process of the set-top box.

2. The method for remote location and delimitation of IPTV service faults based on packet capture according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S1 specifically includes the following steps; Step S101: Collect standard boot packet capture files for each manufacturer, model, and product group; Step S102: Store the standard boot packet capture file; manage it by grouping according to manufacturer, model, and product.

3. The method for remote location and delimitation of IPTV service faults based on packet capture according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S2 specifically includes the following steps; Step S201: Deploy the packet capture file comparison service, and establish a comparison process in the comparison service. The comparison process includes receiving packet capture files, matching manufacturers, matching models, matching product groups, parsing packet capture files, comparing packet capture files, and displaying comparison results. Step S202: Deploy a packet capture service on the set-top box side. The packet capture service on the set-top box side includes command reception, packet capture, and packet capture file upload. Step S203: Deploy a packet capture service on the server side. The server-side packet capture service includes command issuance and file reception.

4. The method for remote location and delimitation of IPTV service faults based on packet capture according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S4 specifically includes the following steps; Step S401: The server receives the packet capture file uploaded by the set-top box; Step S402: Match standard packet capture files, that is, match standard packet capture files according to the manufacturer, model and product group in the standard packet capture file library; Step S403: Packet capture file comparison; that is, according to the matching result, the comparison service is called to compare the packet capture file; during the comparison, the boot packet is parsed first, and then the packet capture file is compared sequentially according to the boot process. The comparison is made to evaluate whether the set-top box boot process recorded in the packet capture file is the same as the standard boot file. If they are different, it indicates an abnormality. The abnormal part is the faulty part. Step S404: Output the comparison results.

5. The method for remote location and delimitation of IPTV service faults based on packet capture according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S5, the comparison results are displayed on the server-side interactive interface.

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