Video Traffic Management Protocol for Dynamic Server Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network technologies face challenges in managing high bandwidth and quality of service (QoS) requirements for Video on Demand (VoD) services, particularly in ensuring low jitter, packet loss, and delay, which are not adequately addressed by existing static approaches or mechanisms, leading to potential overbooking and poor video quality.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Video Traffic Management Protocol (VTMP) that establishes a common control plane between network nodes and local video servers, allowing for dynamic selection of the best local video server based on path costs and availability, without requiring changes to customer premises equipment, to manage VoD traffic and ensure quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If static approaches based on fixed configured paths and queuing prioritisation are used, then network structure is simple, but VoD service quality deteriorates due to inability to dynamically manage high bandwidth demands and QoS requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveVoD service qualityVSAvoidtraffic management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic path selection and resource allocation in the traffic management system, allowing the network to adaptively adjust routing paths and QoS parameters based on real-time network conditions and VoD service demands, rather than relying on static pre-configured paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dedicated traffic management system as an intermediary layer between the network core and VoD services, which actively monitors network conditions and dynamically controls resource allocation to ensure QoS requirements are met while managing the complexity centrally

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If network bandwidth is overbooked to support more VoD customers, then network capacity utilization increases, but video quality deteriorates due to increased jitter and packet loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacity utilizationVSAvoidvideo quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the traffic management system continuously monitors network conditions including jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth utilization, and uses this information to dynamically adjust resource allocation and prevent overbooking that would degrade video quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes QoS parameters such as bandwidth allocation, priority levels, and routing paths based on real-time network conditions and service demands, allowing the system to optimize for both capacity utilization and video quality under varying loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If local video servers are deployed closer to customers, then video delivery speed increases, but network complexity increases due to distributed server management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo delivery speedVSAvoiddistributed server management
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the video delivery infrastructure into distributed local video servers positioned closer to customer premises, allowing video content to be delivered from nearby servers rather than centralized locations, thereby reducing delivery latency and improving speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the distributed local video servers with multi-functional capabilities, allowing them to serve multiple customers and multiple video streams simultaneously, which amortizes the management complexity across universal server functions rather than requiring dedicated management for each server

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2166764B1Method and system for a traffic management of video on demand services
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2166764B1 patent drawingFigure 1I~1V
  • EP2166764B1 patent drawingFigure 2I~2V
  • EP2166764B1 patent drawingFigure 3I~3V

AI summary

The invention describes a method and system for a Traffic Management of the Video on Demand Services in a preferably worldwide network. A System for a Traffic Management of the Video on Demand Services and Video Data Transfer in worldwide networks is implemented with an Additional Control Plane (ACP) between Network Nodes (NN) and Local Video Servers (LVS), wherein it is implemented with means at each of the Network Structure Levels (I, II, III, IV, V), which allows a CPE to locate at least one available video data source storing the requested video data file among Local Video Servers (LVS) and, if not found, loading it from a Video Head End (VHE) to a LVS, and to choose the one among them with the best video data transfer performance for connecting a video session to the requesting CPE.