Ad-Splicer Redundancy Framework for Automatic Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cable/MSO or wireline networks, ad-splicer failures disrupt live video streams and result in significant revenue loss due to the need for human intervention for physical redundancy switching, leading to prolonged mean time to repair (MTTR).
Innovation Solution
A method that detects primary ad-splicer failures, dynamically forwards pre-spliced packets to a redundant ad-splicer, and transmits post-spliced packets to receivers, using pre-populated profiles and routing protocols to automatically reroute traffic and activate redundancy, thereby reducing MTTR and eliminating the need for on-site repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human intervention is used to physically move links from failed ad-splicer to redundant ad-splicer, then redundancy switching can be achieved, but mean time to repair (MTTR) is prolonged and operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic failure detection and redundancy switching through self-service mechanisms. The ad-splicer continuously monitors its own operational status and automatically initiates failure notification to the OAM server, which then triggers the switching process without requiring human intervention. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through automatic redundancy while eliminating the time loss associated with manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the ad-splicer monitors its own health status and provides real-time feedback to the OAM server. When a failure is detected, the ad-splicer sends a failure notification message containing its identifier and status, which triggers the OAM server to initiate the redundancy switching process. This closed-loop feedback system ensures rapid response to failures, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability and minimizing repair time.
2Loss of time
If automatic failure detection and redundancy switching is implemented, then mean time to repair (MTTR) is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OAM server performs multiple functions including receiving failure notifications, managing ad-splicer profiles, determining redundancy relationships, and controlling the switching process. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal system, the patent reduces overall system complexity while enabling automatic failure detection and redundancy switching, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing MTTR and managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures redundancy relationships and ad-splicer profiles before failures occur. The OAM server stores profile information identifying primary and redundant ad-splicers in advance, so when a failure is detected, the switching process can be immediately executed without requiring complex real-time decision-making or configuration. This preliminary preparation simplifies the system architecture while enabling rapid automatic response to failures.
3Ease of repair
If technician dispatch to hub site is required for physical redundancy switching, then accurate physical switching can be performed, but productivity and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/physical process of technician intervention with an automated electronic control system. Instead of physically moving links and cables at the hub site, the OAM server electronically controls the switching process by sending commands to redirect traffic from the failed ad-splicer to the redundant ad-splicer. This substitution maintains the accuracy of redundancy switching while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the need for on-site technician dispatch.
Solution Approach 2:
The OAM server acts as an intermediary between the failed ad-splicer and the redundant ad-splicer, managing the switching process remotely. Rather than requiring direct physical intervention at the hub site, the OAM server receives failure notifications, determines the appropriate redundant ad-splicer based on stored profiles, and coordinates the switching of pre-spliced and post-spliced video traffic. This intermediary approach maintains switching accuracy while eliminating the need for on-site technician intervention, thereby improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In particular embodiments, method and system for detecting a failure of a primary ad-splicer, conveying a failure information for the failed primary ad-splicer to a redundant ad-splicer, dynamically forwarding one or more pre-spliced packets intended for the failed primary ad-splicer to the redundant ad-splicer, receiving one or more post-spliced packets from the redundant ad-splicer, and transmitting the post-spliced packets towards one or more target receivers are provided.