WO2009049457A1

WO2009049457A1 - Iptv network interconnecting architecture and interconnecting method

Info

Publication number: WO2009049457A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/003882
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lanlan Li
Original assignee: Zte Corporation
Priority date: 2007-10-15
Filing date: 2007-12-28
Publication date: 2009-04-23
Also published as: CN101330426B; CN101330426A

Abstract

An IPTV network interconnecting architecture and an interconnecting method for interconnecting some different type of IPTV networks. The IPTV network interconnecting architecture includes a terminal user function entity, an application function entity, a content delivery function entity, a network function entity or a transport function entity, and the network function entity or the transport function entity further includes a border function entity connected to a core transport function entity of the network function entity or the transport function entity, with which the transport layers of these different type of IPTV networks could be interconnected .

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an IPTV network, and in particular to an IPTV network interconnection architecture and interconnection method, which mainly relates to a Non-NGN-Based IPTV network and an NGN-Based IPTV network interconnection. Specifically, including roaming and interconnection with third-party providers. Background technique

IPTV is an interactive network TV. It is a brand-new technology that utilizes a broadband cable TV network and integrates various technologies such as Internet, multimedia, and communication to provide home users with a variety of interactive services including digital TV. Typically, users can enjoy IPTV services in two ways at home: (1) computers, (2) network set-top boxes + regular TV sets. One of the characteristics of IPTV is to use the infrastructure of broadband cable television networks to provide home TV sets as the main terminal appliances and to provide a variety of digital media services including television programs through Internet Protocol. At the same time, IPTV involves a variety of value-added services, and these value-added services are beyond the scope of traditional telecommunication services, involving all aspects of the industry chain, many of which involve the work of third-party services, and therefore, for IPTV networks. It is necessary to conduct roaming and interaction with third-party service providers.

The ITU-T Research Group - IPTV Focus Group ( IPTV Focus Group ) The composition and technology of the network proposes to divide the functional architecture of the IPTV system into three categories:

(1) Non-NGN-Based lPTV network architecture (2) NGN-Based IPTV (without IMS) network architecture

(3) NGN-Based IPTV (with IMS) network architecture The architecture diagram corresponding to the three types of IPTV architecture is given in the working document "Working Document: IPTV Architecture" of the ITU-T IPTV Focus Group. Is a simplified diagram of figure8-2 in the working document, which describes the IPTV functional architecture of Non-NGN-BASED, and Figure 2 is a simplified diagram of figure8-3 in the working document, which describes the IPTV of NGN-BASED Functional Architecture (without IMS), Figure 3 is a simplified diagram of figure 8-4 in this working document, which describes the IPTV functional architecture of NGN-BASED (with IMS). In the working document The IPTV network interconnection and third-party access based on NGN (Next Generation Network) are given. As mentioned above, NGN refers to the next generation network. The so-called "next generation network", literally understood, should It is a next-generation network based on the current network. From a development perspective, NGN is gradually turning to packet switching in the traditional PSTN (public switched telephone network) network. Mainly, it carries all the services of the original PSTN network, and at the same time, a large amount of data transmission of 4 bar is offloaded into the IP network to alleviate the heavy load of the PSTN network, and new and old services are added and enhanced with the new features of IP technology. The IPTV network is based on the Non-NGN functional architecture. At present, "the company has gradually introduced the NGN-BASES IPTV network, but this requires a process, so there must be a period when two networks coexist, in order to ensure the network. Smooth and stable development and transition, it is necessary to propose two network interconnection architecture.

NGN interoperability with existing and future networks is an important aspect of seamless operation between networks. Through the interworking of NGN and traditional network, the progressive realization of the NGN network is made possible, and the user can obtain rich NGN services and at the same time obtain the services provided by the traditional network. To ensure the ability to provide end-to-end services, NGN networks must coexist with existing telecommunications networks and must rely on these networks. In addition, NGN is one of the carrier-class service networks of telecom operators. Although IP networks are a planar model network architecture, it is difficult for NGN networks to construct with a single or purely planar model network architecture. The network. Between different operators, the NGN network is required to be divided into different transmission domains, control domains, and management domains. Moreover, each operator's network also needs to be divided into different levels of operational domains and administrative domains. Therefore, it is important to construct an interworking model between NGN and various networks between different types of networks, different operators, and different controls i or between management i or. Currently, an interworking model between NGN and various networks has not been provided. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the related art, that is, in order to ensure a smooth and stable transition of the network, NGN and existing various networks are interoperable to achieve seamless operation between networks. According to the present invention, an IPTV network interconnection architecture is first provided for interconnecting IPTV networks of different standards, including an end user functional entity, an application functional entity, a content transmission functional entity, a network functional entity or a transmission functional entity, wherein , network function entity or transport function entity The step includes a boundary function entity, the boundary function entity is connected to the core function entity in the network function entity or the transport function entity, and the transport layer interconnection when the IPTV network interconnection of different standards is implemented by the interconnection of the boundary function entities. The foregoing boundary function entity is configured to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, media stream relay, and firewall function. In addition, the boundary function entity can implement the above functions by executing a border gateway protocol. The above different IPTV networks include: IPTV networks that are not based on next-generation networks, and IPTV networks that are based on next-generation networks. According to the present invention, there is also provided an IPTV network interconnection method for interconnection of an IPTV network not based on a next generation network and an IPTV network based on a next generation network. The method includes the following processes: setting a first boundary function entity in a network function entity of a network architecture of a non-next network-based IPTV network, and setting a second in a transport function entity of a network architecture of the IPTV network based on the next generation network a boundary function entity, where the first boundary function entity and the second boundary function entity are used to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, media stream relay, and firewall function; A boundary functional entity and a second boundary functional entity are interconnected to implement interconnection of a non-next-generation network-based IPTV network and an IPTV network transport layer based on the next _J network. In the case that the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network includes the service control function, the above method further processes the following: In the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network, a service control function entity controls a resource control function entity, requests resources and performs admission control through the first service control function entity; in a network architecture of the IPTV network based on the next generation network, controls resources and standards through the second service control function entity The control function entity; the communication between the IPTV service control function entity of the first service control function entity and the second service control function entity is implemented by the interconnection of the SCF, and the resource control information interaction of the two networks is implemented through a control or a session protocol. In the case that the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network does not include the service control function entity, the above method further processes the following: resource control function in the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next network The interaction of the resource and the admission control function entity of the network architecture of the entity and the IPTV network based on the next generation network realizes the resource control information interaction of the two networks. The resource control function entity and the interface between the resource and the admission control function entity are used to request the network resource of the home network or the visited network; the resource of the home network or the visited network and the admission control function entity or the resource control function entity are respectively used for Requesting network resources from the resource control function entity or the resource and admission control function entity of the other network. In the case where the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network and the third-party service provider of the next generation network are interconnected, the above method further includes the following processing: in the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network, by the first The service control function entity controls the resource control function entity; in the network architecture of the IPTV network based on the next generation network, the resource and the admission control function entity are controlled by the second service control function entity; the first service control function entity and the second The IPTV service control function entities of the service control function entity implement resource control information interaction between the two networks through a control or session protocol. The application function entity and the content providing function entity of the third-party service provider can provide the IPTV service; the third-party service provider requests the network resource from the resource and the admission control function entity, and the service control function entity of the home network provides the resource to the resource. The control function entity requests network resources. Through the invention, the IPTV network of different standards, that is, the interconnection of the Non-NGN-Based IPTV network and the NGN-Based IPTV network can be realized, and the smooth and stable transition of the network is ensured, thereby achieving seamless operation between the networks. Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the <RTI The drawings are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are intended to be a part of the description of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a related technology of Non-NGN-BASED (non-generation based network)

Schematic diagram of the IPTV network function architecture; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the IPTV network functional architecture of the NGN-BASED (based on the next generation network) without the IMS (IP multimedia subsystem); 3 is a schematic diagram of an IPTV functional architecture with IMS of NGN-BASED according to the related art; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a Non-NGN-BASED (non-next-generation network-based) IPTV network interconnection architecture of the system embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an NGN-BASED (Next Generation Network-based) IPTV network interconnection architecture without IMS in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an IMS-BASED IMS with IMS in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Schematic diagram of an IPTV network interconnection architecture; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an IPTV network interconnection method according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; FIG. 8 is an NGN-BASED IPTV network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Schematic diagram of interconnection of IPTV network (with SCF) of Non-NGN-BASED; FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of interconnection of IPTV network of NGN-BASED and IPTV network of Non-NGN-BASED (without SCF) according to an embodiment of the present invention 10 is a schematic diagram of an IPTV network of Non-NGN-BASED and an NGN third party service provider interconnection according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 shows an IPTV network of NGN-BASED and an IPTV network of Non-NGN-BASED; Implementation process of roaming of on-demand services when interconnected. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, several important functional entities in the existing network architecture diagrams 1 - 3 will be described. The End-User Function (EUF) provides an interface between the end user and the IPTV network. The Application Function (AF) provides the End-User Function (EUF) for the IPTV content. Interface for selection and operation. A Service Control Function (SCF) is used to request and release network and service resources used to support IPTV services. For example, it can request a Content Delivery Function (CDF) in a content transmission and storage function entity. (Content Delivery & Storage function, CDSF) allocates the capacity required to store content. The Transport Function (TF) of the requesting network and the Control Function (CF) reserve network bandwidth for the media stream. Network attachment control function NACF) is mainly responsible for assigning IP addresses to user terminals and transmitting other network configuration parameters to user terminals. Resource & Admission Control Function (ACF) is an important function located on the bearer control layer. It shields the service layer from the specific details of the transport network, and supports the separation of service control and transport functions. And admission control to ensure that users use the transmission network resources correctly and reasonably. Based on the above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the preferred embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate and explain the invention. System Embodiments According to an embodiment of the present invention, an IPTV network interconnection architecture is provided for different standards.

Interconnection of IPTV networks (Non-NGN-BASED IPTV networks, NGN-BASED IPTV networks). Compared to the existing architecture shown in Figures 1-3, the present invention includes, in addition to an End User Function Entity (EUF), an Application Function Entity (AF), a Content Transfer Function Entity (CDF), a Network Function Entity (NF), or a transmission. The functional entity (TF) also adds a Boarder Function (BF). The BF can be located in the NF or TF, and is connected to a Core Transport Facility (CTF). The interconnection of the BF can realize the transport layer interconnection when the IPTV networks of different standards are interconnected. The foregoing BF entity is configured to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, media stream relay, and firewall function. Specifically, the BF can implement the foregoing functions by performing a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) or the like. 4 shows an IPTV network architecture of Non-NGN-BASED according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, BF is located in NF and is connected to CTF; FIG. 5 shows NGN according to an embodiment of the present invention. -BASED's IPTV functional architecture without IMS, as shown in Figure 5, in the BF-bit TF, and connected to the CTF; Figure 6 shows an IMS-enabled IPTV functional architecture of NGN-BASED according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 6, shown in the BF bit TF, and connected to the CTF. As can be seen from Figures 4 to 6, the connections between the CTFs are achieved by interconnections between the BFs. The method embodiment provides an IPTV network interconnection method according to the method embodiment of the present invention. The interconnection of the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network and the NGN-BASED IPTV network. The interconnected network is a non-NGN network, and the other network is an NGN network. The core IMS or IPTV service control function of the NGN network depends on the capabilities of the network. As shown in FIG. 7, the method includes the following processing: Step S702, setting a first BF (Boundary Function Entity) in a NF of a network architecture of a Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network, and a network of an IPTV network in the NGN-BASED A second BF is set in the TF of the architecture, where the first BF and the second BF are used to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, media stream relay, and firewall function; Step S704, interconnecting the first BF and the second BF to implement Non-NGN-BASED

The interconnection of the IPTV network and the IPTV network transport layer of NGN-BASED. Example 1 FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram (roaming) of interconnection between an NGN-BASED IPTV network and a Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network (with SCF). As shown in Figure 8, when the two network interconnections require interworking resources and admission control information, in the IPTV network with Non-NGN-BASED with SCF, the resource control function (Resource Control, RC) is controlled by the SCF. In the NGN-BASED IPTV network, the SCF requests resources and the Resource & Admission Control Function (RACF), and the communication between the ISCFs in the two network SCFs is realized through the interconnection of the SCF, and The resource control information interaction of the two networks is completed by a control or a session protocol (C/S Protocol). Thus, in the case that the network architecture of the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network includes the SCF, the above method further includes the following processing: In the network architecture of the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network, the SCF (referred to as the first) SCF) Control RC; In the network architecture of the NGN-BASED IPTV network > Control the RACF through the SCF (referred to as the second SCF); pass between the IPTV Service Control Function Entity (ISCF) of the first SCF and the second SCF The control or session protocol implements resource control information interaction between the two networks. Example 2 Figure 9 shows an interconnection diagram (roaming) of an NGN-BASED IPTV network and a Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network (without SCF). As shown in Figure 9, the interconnection between the two networks is required. To exchange resource and admission control information, the resource-controlled interaction information is transmitted through the interaction between Non-NGN-BASED's RC and NGN-BASED's IPTV network's RACF (Resource and Admission Control Subsystem). In this way, in the case that the network architecture of the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network does not include the SCF, the above method further includes the following processing: RC and NGN-BASED IPTV network in the network architecture of the IPTV network through the Non-NGN-BASED The RACF interaction of the network architecture implements resource control information interaction between the two networks. The interface between the resource control function and the RACF functional entity is used to request network resources of a party (such as a visited network). The RACF of the other party (such as the home network) requests the network resources of the other party (such as the visited network) from the resource control function of the other party (visiting the network). Example 3 FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of a Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network and an NGN third party service provider interconnection. Among them, the use of core IMS or IPTV service control functions by third-party providers depends on the capabilities of third-party networks. Both the application function (AF) and the content providing function (CDF) of the third-party service provider can provide the IPTV service. The third-party service provides a network resource to its RACF functional entity, and the service control function of the home network requests network resources from its resource control function. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the resource control information interaction between the two networks is performed by the ISCF between the two network SCFs through control or C/S Protocol. In this way, in the case where the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network and the NGN third-party service provider are interconnected, the above method further includes the following processing: In the network architecture of the Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network, SCF (referred to as the first SCF) controls RC; in the network architecture of the NGN-BASED IPTV network, the RACF is controlled by the SCF (referred to as the second SCF); the first service control function entity and the second service control function entity The communication between the IPTV service control function entities is implemented by the interconnection of the SCF, and the IPTV service control function entity (ISCF) of the first SCF and the second SCF implement resource control information interaction between the two networks through a control or session protocol. Among them, the use of core IMS or IPTV service control functions by third-party providers depends on the capabilities of third-party networks. FIG. 11 shows an implementation process of roaming of a content on demand (VOD) when an NGN-BASED IPTV network is interconnected with a Non-NGN-BASED IPTV network. As shown in Figure 10, the following processing can be included (1-11):

(1) The IPTV terminal obtains an IP address through an Access Network Function (ANF), authentication, and IP Address Assignment (AIA);

( 2-3 ) After the user authorization and authentication are completed, ANF establishes an IP address for the IPTV terminal to establish a connection.

(4) The ANF acquires the user policy rule from the RACF of the home network, and opens the signaling channel by accessing the resource control function (RC) of the network;

(5) The IPTV terminal registers on the IMS in the home network by performing a SIP registration mechanism;

(6) The IPTV terminal sends a SIP INVITE message to the Core IMS to request an IPTV application session, and the Core IMS sends the message to the application function (AF, Application Functions);

(7) The AF requests resource allocation for the IPTV terminal to the Content Delivery Function (CDF) signaling;

(8) The Content Delivery Function (CDF) requests resource allocation from the IPTV terminal to the Core IMS; the Core IMS sends the IPTV body information to the home RACF, and the RC in the home RACF request visited network opens the access to the IPTV media stream. The access network (AN) channel is transmitted to the AN through this channel 4 bar Policy rules;

(9) The IPTV terminal requests the AF to send the media stream;

(10) The AF request content delivery function (CDF) starts to send the media stream; (11) the IPTV terminal receives the media stream sent by the IPTV from the CDF of the home network, and the media stream passes the CTF and the BF from the CDF of the home network. (Boundary Functional Entity) is transmitted to the IPTV terminal of the visited network. In summary, by means of the technical solution provided by the present invention, an IPTV network of different standards, that is, an interconnection of a Non-NGN-Based IPTV network and an NGN-Based IPTV network, can be realized, thereby ensuring a smooth and stable transition of the network, thereby realizing network-to-network communication. Seamless operation. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Where in the invention 4 Qingshen and Within the principles, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

The present invention provides an IPTV network interconnection architecture for interconnecting IPTV networks of different standards, including an end user function entity, an application function entity, a content transmission function entity, a network function entity or a transmission function entity, wherein The network function entity or the transport function entity further includes a boundary function entity connected to the network function entity or a core transport function entity in the transport function entity, and through the mutual boundary function entities The transport layer interconnection when interconnecting IPTV networks of different standards is implemented. The IPTV network interconnection architecture according to claim 1, wherein the boundary function entity is configured to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, and i body stream relay. And firewall features. The IPTV network interconnection architecture according to claim 2, wherein said boundary function entity implements said function by executing a border gateway protocol. The IPTV network interconnection architecture according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the IPTV network of different standards comprises: an IPTV network not based on a next generation network, and an IPTV network based on a next generation network. An IPTV network interconnection method for interconnecting an IPTV network that is not based on a next generation network and an IPTV network based on a next generation network, which is in the following, including the following processing:

Setting a first boundary function entity in a network function entity of a network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network, and setting a second boundary function entity in a transmission function entity of the network architecture of the IPTV network based on the next generation network, where The first boundary function entity and the second border function entity are configured to implement at least one of the following functions: data transmission connection, routing, network address and port conversion, media stream relay, and firewall function;

The first boundary function entity and the second border function entity are interconnected to implement interconnection of the non-Next Generation Network-based IPTV network and the Next Generation Network-based IPTV network transport layer. The IPTV network interconnection method according to claim 5, wherein, in a case where the network architecture of the non-based network-based IPTV network includes a service control function entity, the method further includes the following processing: In the network architecture of the IPTV network that is not based on the next generation network, the resource control function entity is controlled by the first service control function entity, and the resource and the admission control are requested by the first service control function entity;

In the network architecture of the IPTV network based on the next generation network, the resource and the admission control function entity are controlled by the second service control function entity;

The communication between the first service control function entity and the IPTV service control function entity of the second service control function entity is implemented by using an SCF interconnection, and resource control information interaction between the two networks is implemented through a control or session protocol. The IPTV network interconnection method according to claim 5, wherein, in a case where the network architecture of the non-next network-based IPTV network does not include a service control function entity, further processing is as follows:

Realizing resource control of two networks by interaction between a resource control function entity in a network architecture of the non-initial network-based IPTV network and a network architecture resource of the next-generation network-based IPTV network and an admission control function entity Information exchange. The IPTV network interconnection method according to claim 7, wherein the resource control function entity and the interface between the resource and the admission control function entity are used to request a network resource of a home network or a visited network; Or the resource and admission control function entity or the resource control function entity of the visited network are respectively used to request network resources from the resource control function entity or the resource and admission control function entity of the counterpart network. The IPTV network interconnection method according to claim 5, wherein in the case that the non-next network-based IPTV network and the next-generation network third-party service are connected to each other, further processing is performed :

In the network architecture of the non-next network-based IPTV network, the resource control function entity is controlled by the first service control function entity;

The IPTV service control function entity of the first service control function entity and the second service control function entity implements resource control information interaction between the two networks by using a control or session protocol.

The IPTV network interconnection method according to claim 9, wherein the application function entity and the content providing function entity of the third-party service provider are both capable of providing an IPTV service; The resource and admission control function entity requests network resources, and the service control function entity of the home network requests network resources from its resource control function entity.