IP multi-cast video ring distribution and protection

• US 7,876,753 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Brolin, Stephen J., Vladescu, Virgil, Solomon, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar; Pankaj
• Assistant Examiner(s): Duong; Duc T
• Application Number:
  US11/637,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20070133533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 370/390, 370/395.51, 370/400, 370401-406, 370/432
• US Class Current: 370/390
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2203/0094 Virtual Concatenation
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/024 using relational databases for representation of network management data, e.g. managing via structured query language [SQL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/042 comprising distributed management centres cooperatively managing the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0856 by backing up or archiving configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5054 Automatic deployment of services triggered by the service manager, e.g. service implementation by automatic configuration of network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/509 wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/16 Multipoint routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/15 Interconnection of switching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/1523 Parallel switch fabric planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/30 Peripheral units, e.g. input or output ports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/351 for local area network [LAN], e.g. Ethernet switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/352 Gigabit ethernet switching [GBPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/357 Fibre channel switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/50 Overload detection or protection within a single switching element
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0062 Network aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0067 : Provisions for optical access or distribution networks, e.g. Gigabit Ethernet Passive Optical Network (GE-PON), ATM-based Passive Optical Network (A-PON), PON-Ring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0071 : Provisions for the electrical-optical layer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0079 : Operation or maintenance aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0083 : Testing; Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2011/0084 : Quality of service aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/20009 : using a gaseous coolant in electronic enclosures in cabinets of standardized dimensions H05K7/20536; in server cabinets H05K7/20709; in vehicle electronic casings H05K7/20845; in power control electronics H05K7/2089; in displays H05K7/20954
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/202 : Air circulating in closed loop within enclosure wherein heat is removed through heat-exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 : Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

An IP Video distribution and protection system provides lower cost by using a reduced number of expensive IP multi-cast router high-speed ports. A multi-cast data source comprises at least one multi-cast router and a multi-cast server. The data source is coupled to a plurality of multi-cast data destinations via a data distribution network comprising a first and a second ring. The data destinations are communicatively linked together in the first ring for data flow in one direction. The second ring network communicatively connects the data source to the last data destination in the first ring for data flow in a different direction though the destinations. Each destination includes switching elements enabling the destinations to provide data in either direction to end users linked to the respective data destinations.

Claims

1. A system for distributing multi-cast data traffic comprising:

a multi-cast data source;

a plurality of multi-cast data destinations units, each destination unit coupled to plural rings networks; and

a data distribution network communicatively connecting the multi-cast data source to the plurality of multi-cast data destinations, the data distribution network comprising a first ring network communicatively connecting the multi-cast data source to a first one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations, connecting each one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations to a subsequent one the plurality of multi-cast data destinations, and connecting a last one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations to the multi-cast data source, and a second ring network communicatively connecting the multi-cast data source to the last one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations, connecting each one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations to a previous one the plurality of multi-cast data destinations, and connecting the first one of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations to the multicast data source, wherein data flows in different directions in the first and second ring networks;

a conversion unit for converting multi-cast data in a first format on the first ring network to multi-cast data in a second format on the second ring network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the multi-cast data source comprises at least one of a multi-cast router and a multi-cast server.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of multi-cast data destinations comprise:

a first network switch having an interface to the first ring network and the second ring network, an interface to a second network switch, and an interface to at least one optical network service unit, the first network switch operable to receive multi-cast data from the first ring network, transmit the received first ring network multi-cast data to the second network switch, and transmit the received first ring network multi-cast data to the at least one optical network service unit, and to receive multi-cast data from the second network switch, transmit the multi-cast data received from the second network switch to the second ring network, and transmit the multicast data received from the second network switch to the at least one optical network service unit; and

the second network switch having an interface to the first ring network and the second ring network, an interface to the first network switch, and an interface to at least one optical network service unit, the second network switch operable to receive multi-cast data from the second ring network, transmit the received second ring network multi-cast data to the first network switch, and transmit the received second ring network multi-cast data to the at least one optical network service unit, and to receive multi-cast data from the first network switch, transmit the multi-cast data received from the first network switch to the first ring network, and transmit the multi-cast data received from the first network switch to the at least one optical network service unit.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of optical network service units comprises an interface to a passive optical network.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the passive optical network is a Gigabit passive optical network.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second ring networks are 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first and second network switches are Ethernet switches.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the interfaces to the first and second ring networks are 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces.