GRE Tunnel IPTV Distribution Over IP Backbone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IPTV content distribution architectures face efficiency and reliability issues, particularly with scaling and the lack of Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF) support for multicast traffic over national IP backbones, making them unsuitable for reliable broadcast TV distribution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) tunneling over an existing IP backbone to establish connectivity between routers in a ring network topology, using Protocol Independent Multicasting (PIM) adjacencies and selectively joining routers to ensure efficient and reliable IPTV content distribution, with the ability to reverse traffic direction in case of router failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If native IP-multicast architecture is used for IPTV content distribution, then multicast traffic can be delivered efficiently over the national IP backbone, but the system lacks Non-Stop Forwarding (NSF) support for multicast traffic, making it unreliable for TV service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces GRE tunneling as an intermediary mechanism that encapsulates multicast traffic within unicast packets. This allows the national IP backbone to handle multicast content distribution through its reliable NSF-capable unicast routing infrastructure, while preserving the efficiency of multicast delivery at the edge networks. The GRE tunnel acts as a mediator that translates between multicast and unicast protocols.
2Reliability
If SONET ring architecture is used for IPTV content distribution, then reliable content delivery can be achieved, but the cost becomes extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual SONET ring architecture by establishing GRE tunnels between routers at different hub offices. These tunnels replicate the reliability features of physical SONET rings using software-based encapsulation over the existing IP backbone, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated optical fiber infrastructure while maintaining equivalent failure recovery capabilities.
3Reliability
If GRE tunneling is used over the national IP backbone, then NSF capabilities for unicast traffic can be leveraged for reliable content distribution, but the device complexity increases due to tunnel configuration and management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the GRE tunneling system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides NSF capability for reliable delivery, enables content distribution over the existing IP backbone, and maintains compatibility with standard multicast protocols. The same tunnel infrastructure supports both unicast control plane traffic and multicast data plane traffic, reducing the need for separate specialized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for distributing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) content over a national IP backbone using GRE tunneling in a point-to-point ring topology. A logical path is defined that connects multiple hub offices, each including at least two routers, in a ring network topology. Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) tunnels are used over an existing Internet Protocol (IP) backbone to establish connectivity between adjacent hub offices. A direction for content flow is defined. The direction of flow may be determined by selecting a designated router. The routers of the hub offices selectively join to upstream routers. This direction may be reversed by changing the direction of in which routers join. IPTV content is distributed over the defined path using the GRE tunnels. The necessity of forwarding the content is determined at each hub office.