Shared Bandwidth Admission Control for Multicast and Unicast Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network resource management systems for IPTV services face inefficiencies due to independent bandwidth management for multicast and unicast services, leading to resource wastage and poor user experience, especially in scenarios with limited user link bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A method where a Resource Manager (RM) sends request messages to a Network Access Server (NAS) for admission control, which converts and forwards the request to an Access Node (AN) using ANCP protocol, enabling shared bandwidth management between multicast and unicast services, and error reporting to improve user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent bandwidth management is implemented for multicast and unicast services, then service quality can be guaranteed, but bandwidth resources are wasted and network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the independent bandwidth management of multicast and unicast services into a unified shared bandwidth management system. The access node performs admission control for both service types using a common bandwidth pool, allowing resources to be dynamically allocated based on actual demand rather than being statically partitioned, thus eliminating resource waste while maintaining service quality through centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The access node is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle both multicast and unicast admission control using the same hardware and software platform. The system uses universal bandwidth measurement and control mechanisms that work for both service types, replacing the need for separate dedicated management systems and improving overall network efficiency.
2Productivity
If unified admission control is implemented for both multicast and unicast services, then bandwidth sharing efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the admission control process into distinct functional modules within the access node: multicast admission control module, unicast admission control module, and shared bandwidth management module. Each module operates independently with its own policies and parameters, but they all interact through a unified bandwidth pool. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing modular design and independent optimization of each control path while achieving unified resource management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent channel switching in multicast service is supported, then user flexibility improves, but information interaction frequency increases and network load rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary bandwidth reservation and admission control checks before a user switches channels. When a channel switching request is received, the access node quickly checks whether sufficient bandwidth is already allocated for the target channel based on current network state and user requirements. This preliminary action avoids the need for complex real-time bandwidth reallocation during switching, reducing information interaction frequency while maintaining high switching flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, device and system for managing resources in networks are provided, which relate to the field of data communication. The method includes the following steps. A resource manager (RM) sends a first request message according to a received resource request message, to request an access node (AN) to perform admission control. After receiving an admission control result indicating whether a resource requested by the resource request message is admitted, the RM sends a response message of the resource request message. Therefore, when multicast/unicast connection admission control (CAC) that supports shared bandwidth is realized, flow fusions of user line configuration between the AN and a broadband remote access system (BRAS, and policy distribution between a resource and admission control subsystem (RACS) and the BRAS are guaranteed; and sharing of bandwidth resources is realized to avoid waste of the bandwidth resources.