Multicast Admission Control via VLAN Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media content distribution networks face challenges in managing different capacity requirements for various content types, such as HD, SD, and audio streams, which complicate admission control and can lead to network overload, requiring improved systems for multicast admission control to ensure quality of service and subscriber entitlements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a node-level admission control system using VLAN designations and access policies to simplify the management of media content types and network capacity, where access nodes determine channel stream access based on subscriber profiles and admission control policies, without requiring specific modulation or bandwidth details for each channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detailed capacity accounting for each content type is implemented, then quality of service is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the admission control process into distinct functional modules: a capacity determination module that identifies capacity requirements based on content type, a capacity tracking module that monitors current usage, and a comparison module that evaluates against subscriber limits. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific tasks independently, maintaining service quality through accurate capacity accounting while reducing overall system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary capacity determination by pre-identifying the capacity requirements of different content types (HD, SD, audio) before admission decisions are made. By determining capacity needs in advance based on content type classification, the system avoids complex real-time calculations during admission control, thus preserving quality of service while reducing decision-making complexity.
2Reliability
If real-time capacity tracking is implemented, then network overload is prevented, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-determining the capacity requirements of content based on its type (HD video, SD video, audio, etc.) before the admission control decision is made. The system maintains a pre-established mapping between content types and their capacity requirements, allowing the admission controller to quickly retrieve and use this information without performing complex real-time analysis, thus preventing network overload while minimizing decision time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified representation or copy of capacity requirements based on content type classification rather than tracking every individual stream's detailed characteristics. By working with aggregated capacity values associated with content types rather than individual stream analysis, the system achieves efficient real-time capacity tracking with reduced computational overhead and faster admission decisions.
3Reliability
If subscriber-specific capacity limits are enforced, then service quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capacity management function into separate components: a subscriber profile storage that holds service limits, a capacity determination module that calculates current usage, and a comparison module that enforces limits. This segmentation allows the system to enforce subscriber-specific capacity limits while maintaining service quality through a manageable, modular architecture rather than a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation from tracking individual stream characteristics to using aggregated capacity values associated with content types. By transforming the admission control problem into a comparison of aggregated capacity parameters against subscriber limits, the system maintains service quality enforcement while reducing the complexity of tracking and managing individual stream details.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for multicast admission control are provided. In one embodiment, a node comprises: a first interface configured to receive a multicast channel access request, from a subscriber interface, including an address for a channel; a memory including a subscriber profile and VLAN configuration data for the network; a processor that identifies a first VLAN corresponding to the address from the VLAN configuration data and determines whether the subscriber is authorized to receive the channel via the first VLAN based on access policy designated by the subscriber profile; wherein the processor further determines whether granting access to the channel violates admission control policy based on predefined bandwidth requirements and/or a stream count limit for the first VLAN; wherein when the subscriber interface is authorized to receive the channel and when granting access to the channel does not violate admission control policy, the processor routes the channel to the subscriber.