JP2004172748A - Stream distribution management method, stream distribution management server apparatus, stream relaying apparatus, stream distribution management system, and stream distribution management program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stream distribution management method or the like whereby a distribution state of stream contents is efficiently supervised at a low cost in a large-scale stream distribution network. <P>SOLUTION: A communication section 211 of a stream relaying apparatus 200 adopting the stream distribution management method receives stream connection part control information and informs a connection part control section 205 about the information via a distribution state analysis section control section 210 and communication sections 208, 207. The connection part control section 205 informs a connection processing section 204 that the connection processing section 204 requests a stream distribution server section 212 to distribute an access request of stream contents on the basis of the information. The connection processing section 204 requests the stream distribution server section 212 to distribute streams via a stream transmission reception section 203 by using the same procedure as that requested by a client according to the request. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stream delivery management method, a stream delivery management server device, a stream relay device, and a stream delivery management system for efficiently realizing monitoring of a stream delivery status from a stream delivery server in a large-scale stream delivery network. , And a stream distribution management program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when performing stream distribution on the Internet, generally, a stream setting protocol for requesting and setting stream contents, a stream distribution protocol for distributing stream contents based on the settings, and a stream content packet being distributed. A stream control protocol for notifying the distribution status and distribution quality of the server and the connection state between the server and the client is used. Protocols defined by the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) include RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol: RFC2326), RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol: RFC1889), and RTCP (CTR: RFC1389). . Also, when performing stream distribution using a protocol other than these, a protocol having the above function is used. Examples include Microsoft's MMS protocol and Real Network's RTD and PNA protocols.
[0003]
When large-scale stream distribution is performed using a stream distribution server equipped with these stream protocols, a large number of stream distribution apparatuses and stream relay devices that relay stream contents transmitted from the stream distribution server at each distribution base are distributed. A stream monitoring server has been generally used to centrally monitor / operate the server group (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). However, the stream monitoring server can monitor the state of the server itself (for example, the process operation state, the server hardware operation state, and the like), but cannot monitor the stream content distribution state itself. Therefore, as a means for monitoring the distribution state of the stream content, it is common to actually visually confirm the distribution state of the distributed stream distribution servers with the stream monitoring device.
[0004]
A conventional method of monitoring the stream distribution state will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8. FIG.
[0005]
FIG. 6 shows a first configuration example of a conventional stream relay management network. The stream relay network generally includes a plurality of clients 100, distributed stream relay apparatuses 200, a stream distribution server 300, a stream encoder 400, and a distribution network 610. Here, as means for monitoring the stream distribution status in the stream relay device 200, a stream monitoring device 700 is disposed for each stream relay device 200, and the stream distribution manager uses the stream monitoring device 700 to distribute the stream content distribution status. To monitor the distribution quality of the stream relay device. Normally, a client is used as the stream monitoring device 700. Hereinafter, this monitoring method is referred to as an on-site monitoring method.
[0006]
FIG. 7 shows a second configuration example of the conventional stream relay management network. 6 is different from FIG. 6 in that the stream monitoring device 700 is disposed in a location called a monitoring center, which collectively monitors the network, and the distribution status of the distributed stream relay device 200 and the stream distribution server 300 is collectively determined in the location. The point is to monitor. In this example, the monitoring center is connected to the management network 600, but the management network may be a dedicated network, the Internet, or an ISDN. In this example, the stream monitoring apparatuses 700 are arranged in the same number as the number of the stream relay apparatuses 200 and the stream distribution servers 300 to be monitored. However, the monitoring may be performed by one. Hereinafter, this monitoring method is called a remote monitoring method.
[0007]
FIG. 8 shows a third configuration example of a conventional stream relay management network. 6 and 7 is that the stream distribution state is monitored by the traffic monitoring device 800, the traffic monitoring device management server 810, and the traffic duplication device 820. The stream traffic transmitted from the stream distribution server 300 is duplicated by the traffic duplication device 820 into the stream relay device 200 and the traffic monitoring device 800, and the traffic monitoring device 800 monitors the traffic reception state. By notifying the status of the traffic monitoring device 800 to the traffic monitoring device management server 810 via the management network 600, the status of stream distribution to the distributed stream relay device 200 and stream distribution server 300 is monitored collectively. be able to. Hereinafter, this monitoring method is referred to as a probe monitoring method.
[0008]
[Non-patent document 1]
"Multimedia server system", [online], [searched on September 29, 2000], Internet <URL: http: // mgazine, futsu, com / vol 48-31>
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional technology, there was a method of monitoring the status of the stream distribution server and the stream relay device at a time, but there was no means for monitoring the distribution status of the stream content itself at a time. I needed to check.
[0010]
In the case of the on-site monitoring method, it is necessary to deploy a stream monitoring device at each of the distributed locations, and to deploy a stream distribution manager at each location for viewing and checking the monitoring device. There was a problem that the labor cost of the distribution manager was very high.
[0011]
On the other hand, in the case of the remote monitoring method, since the stream monitoring device is arranged at the monitoring center, the stream distribution manager does not need to monitor at each of the distributed locations. However, since the stream content from the stream relay device at each site is distributed via the management network, the stream quality is affected by the network quality of the management network, and the quality of stream distribution from the stream relay device does not deteriorate. Nevertheless, there has been a problem that the quality is deteriorated and observed in the stream monitoring device provided in the monitoring center. Further, when the management network is configured by a network such as ISDN that is smaller than the band required for the stream contents to be monitored, there has been a problem that the monitoring method cannot be implemented.
[0012]
Further, in the case of the probe monitoring method, it is necessary to deploy a traffic duplication device and a traffic monitoring device at each distribution base, and when a large-scale stream distribution network is configured, there is a problem that the system deployment cost is extremely high. I was
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to provide a stream delivery management method, a stream delivery management server device, a stream relay device, and a stream delivery management program for efficiently monitoring the delivery status of stream content at low cost in a large-scale stream delivery network. To provide.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a stream distribution management method of the present invention performs a viewing connection process to a specific stream content to a stream distribution server that performs stream distribution, and transmits viewing request information to the stream distribution server. The stream packet is received from the stream distribution server, the distribution state of the stream packet is monitored, and the distribution state is notified to the stream distribution state analysis means.
[0015]
In the embodiment of the present invention, stream monitoring information is received from a stream distribution management server, and a viewing connection process to stream contents is performed based on the information.
[0016]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the stream content to be connected for viewing is set in advance, and the viewing connection process for the stream content is performed based on the set information.
[0017]
In the embodiment of the present invention, it is detected that the control connection with the stream distribution server that distributes the content is disconnected or cannot be established.
[0018]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is detected that the stream packet from the stream distribution server which distributes the content does not arrive for a predetermined time.
[0019]
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is detected that the number of stream packets from the stream distribution server that distributes the content arrives more than the number of packets allowed per unit time.
[0020]
According to another stream distribution management method of the present invention, a stream distribution state is received from a stream relay device having a function of monitoring a stream distribution state, and the stream distribution state is displayed based on the information.
[0021]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the stream distribution status is displayed for each stream content.
[0022]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the stream distribution status is displayed for each stream relay device.
[0023]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the stream distribution status is displayed for each stream relay device group.
[0024]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a control command for the stream distribution server is automatically generated according to the stream distribution state information, and the control command is notified to the stream distribution server.
[0025]
The stream relay device of the present invention,
A stream distribution server unit that receives a stream packet transmitted from the stream distribution server and transmits the stream packet to a client;
Means for allowing the stream distribution server unit to perform a viewing connection process to a specific stream content with respect to the stream distribution server; transmitting viewing request information of the stream distribution server to the stream distribution server unit; Receiving means, a means for monitoring the distribution state of the stream packet, a means for communicating with the stream distribution state analyzing section, and a stream according to distribution state analysis result information from the stream distribution state analyzing section. A stream connection unit including means for performing a connection process;
A stream distribution state analysis unit including means for communicating with the stream distribution management server device, means for communicating with the stream connection processing unit, means for analyzing the stream distribution state, and means for controlling based on the stream distribution state .
[0026]
Further, another stream distribution management server device of the present invention includes: means for receiving stream distribution state information from a stream relay device having means for monitoring the stream distribution state; and means for displaying the stream distribution state based on the information. And a means for the stream manager to input a control command of the stream management server device, a means for analyzing the command, and a means for transmitting stream control information based on the analysis result to the stream relay device.
[0027]
With these configurations, it is possible to efficiently realize batch monitoring of the stream distribution state in the stream distribution network.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a stream relay management network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030]
The stream relay management network includes a plurality of clients 100, a distributed stream relay device 200, a stream distribution server 300, a stream encoder 400, a stream distribution management server device 500, a stream relay device 200, and a stream distribution server 300. And a management network 600 connecting the stream relay device 200, the stream server 300, and the stream delivery management server device 500.
[0031]
Here, there is only one stream distribution server 300, but there may be a plurality. Although the management network 600 and the distribution network 610 are different networks, they may be configured by the same network.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the stream relay device 200.
[0033]
The stream relay device 200 includes a stream connection unit 201, a stream distribution state analysis unit 202, and a stream distribution server unit 212. The stream connection unit 201 includes a stream transmission / reception unit 203, a connection processing unit 204, a connection unit control unit 205, a reception state monitoring unit 206, and a communication unit 207. The stream distribution state analysis unit 202 includes a communication unit 208, a state analysis unit 209, a distribution state analysis unit control unit 210, and a communication unit 211.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the stream distribution management server device 500.
[0035]
The stream delivery management server device 500 includes a communication unit 501, a control unit 502, a stream delivery status display unit 503, a command input unit 504, a command analysis unit 505, and an automatic command generation unit 506.
[0036]
Next, a processing flow in the present embodiment will be described.
[0037]
(Start of batch distribution status monitoring of stream contents)
The stream distribution manager inputs a request to select a stream content whose stream state is to be monitored and a stream relay device from the command input unit 504 of the stream distribution management server device 500. The command analysis unit 505 analyzes the request, generates stream connection unit control information in the stream relay device, and notifies the stream relay device 200 by the communication unit 501 via the control unit 502.
[0038]
In the stream relay apparatus 200, the communication unit 211 receives the stream connection unit control information, and notifies the connection unit control unit 205 of the control information via the distribution state analysis unit control unit 210 and the communication units 208 and 207.
[0039]
The connection unit control unit 205 notifies the connection processing unit 204 to request the stream distribution server unit 212 for a connection request for the stream content based on the control information.
[0040]
In accordance with the request, the connection processing unit 204 issues a stream distribution request to the stream distribution server unit 212 via the stream transmission / reception unit 203 using the same procedure as that requested by the client. At this time, a connection for stream connection signal communication is set between the stream transmitting / receiving unit 203 and the stream distribution server unit 212 in the same manner as a normal connection procedure between a client and a stream distribution server. Normally, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is used for connection connection.
[0041]
In accordance with the stream content viewing request from the stream connection unit 201, the stream distribution server unit 212 makes a viewing request to the stream distribution server 300. Thus, the stream distribution server 300 starts distribution of the stream content packet, and the stream distribution server unit 212 transfers the stream packet to the stream connection unit 201. According to the above processing procedure, the stream connection unit 201 starts monitoring the status of the stream content whose distribution status is to be monitored.
[0042]
The above procedure is performed for each stream relay device 200 designated by the stream distribution manager, so that the state monitoring of stream contents is started collectively.
[0043]
(Detection of disconnection of control signal connection)
The stream connection between the stream distribution server unit 212 and the stream connection unit 201 due to a network failure between the stream distribution server 300 and the stream relay device 200, a failure of the stream distribution server 300 itself, or a failure of the stream distribution server unit. The signal communication connection is disconnected.
[0044]
The connection processing unit 204 detects the disconnection via the stream transmitting / receiving unit 203 and notifies the connection control unit 205 of the disconnection. The connection unit control unit 205 notifies the distribution state analysis unit control unit 210 of the disconnection information via the communication units 207 and 208 based on the information. The distribution state analysis unit control unit 210 notifies the state analysis unit 209 of the information, and notifies the stream distribution management server device 500 of the information via the communication unit 211. The state analysis unit 209 analyzes the disconnection information and detects that the connection for the stream connection signal with the stream distribution server 300 is disconnected or cannot be connected.
[0045]
(Distribution status display)
In the stream distribution management server device 500, the communication unit 501 receives the disconnection information transmitted from the stream relay device 200 in which the disconnection has occurred, and displays a display location corresponding to the relay device in which the disconnection has occurred on the stream distribution status display unit 503. Display cutting information on
[0046]
According to the present embodiment, the stream distribution manager does not check the stream distribution state for each of the distributed locations, and does not use one or a plurality of stream monitoring devices to change the distribution state. The status of the stream contents to be monitored can be monitored collectively.
[0047]
[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the description of the parts that perform the same processing as in the first embodiment may be omitted.
[0048]
(Start of batch distribution status monitoring of stream contents)
It is assumed that stream distribution processing has been performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0049]
(Process when intermittent arrival of stream packet from stream distribution server unit 212)
No network failure between the stream distribution server 300 and the stream relay device 200, no failure in the stream distribution server 300 itself, or no failure in the stream distribution server unit 212 has occurred. A description will be given of a case where the transmission of stream packets to the stream connection unit 201 is intermittent because the processing becomes unstable or the stream distribution processing from the stream distribution server unit 212 becomes unstable. .
[0050]
In the stream distribution server 300 or the stream distribution server unit 212, there is a case where a phenomenon in which the stream distribution processing becomes unstable and the transmission of stream packets becomes intermittent due to a reason such as continuing the stream distribution for a long time. is there. This will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
FIG. 4 is a first example of a time transition of the number of stream packets arriving at the client 100 or the stream connection unit 201.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 4, the number of stream arrivals per unit time is normally a fixed number. However, when the stream distribution is continued for a long time as described above, the stream distribution processing in the stream server distribution 300 or the stream distribution server unit 212 becomes unstable, and the stream packet may not arrive for several seconds. . Here, the time when the stream packet does not arrive is t. When this phenomenon occurs and the stream packet does not arrive for a certain period of time or more, the stream viewing quality at the client 100 may decrease.
[0053]
Therefore, in order to detect this state, the stream connection unit 201 sets a time T during which a stream packet has not arrived for a certain amount or more in the reception state monitoring unit 206 when the stream viewing monitoring is started.
[0054]
The stream transmission / reception section 203 measures the number of arrivals of stream packets from the stream distribution server section 212 per unit time, and notifies the reception state monitoring section 206 of the measurement result.
[0055]
The reception state monitoring unit 206 measures the time t during which the number of stream packets arrives is 0, compares the time t with the time T during which no stream packet has arrived for more than a predetermined time, and if t> T, indicates that. The connection unit control unit 205 is notified.
[0056]
The connection unit control unit 205 notifies the stream distribution state analysis unit control unit 210 of the information via the communication units 207 and 208. Thereafter, the information is notified to the stream distribution management server device 500.
[0057]
(Distribution status display)
In the stream distribution management server device 500, the communication unit 501 receives the information transmitted from the stream relay device 200 in which the intermittent arrival of the stream packet of the monitored stream content has occurred, and the stream distribution status display unit 503 displays the information intermittently. The information is displayed at a display location corresponding to the relay device where the arrival has occurred.
[0058]
According to the above-described embodiment, even when the service of the stream distribution server 300 performing the stream distribution is stopped or the network failure does not occur, the distribution of the stream packet from the server becomes unstable, and for a certain period of time. When the stream packet does not arrive at the stream connection unit 201, it is determined that the distribution quality of the stream is degraded, the fact is displayed on the stream distribution management server device 500, and the stream distribution manager can be notified.
[0059]
[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the description of the parts that perform the same processing as in the first and second embodiments may be omitted.
[0060]
(Stream distribution processing)
It is assumed that the stream distribution processing has been performed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.
[0061]
(Processing at the time of receiving stream packet burst from stream distribution server unit) In this description, stream packets from stream distribution server 300 or stream distribution server unit 212 become unstable due to continuous distribution for a long time. In the following, a case will be described in which packet distribution is continued but transmission is performed in bursts.
[0062]
In the stream server distribution 300 or the stream distribution server unit 212, the transmission interval becomes unstable due to, for example, continuous distribution of the content for a long time. In some cases, the phenomenon of stopping transmission of packets is repeated. This phenomenon is generally called burst transmission. This state will be described with reference to FIG.
[0063]
FIG. 5 is a second example of a time transition of the number of stream packets arriving at the client 100 or the stream connection unit 201. As shown in FIG. 5, the number of stream packets per unit time is usually a fixed number, which is a normal number. However, in the case where the stream distribution is continued for a long time as described above, the distribution process of the stream in the stream server 300 or the stream distribution server unit 212 becomes unstable, and the stream packet does not reach instantaneously and immediately thereafter. A packet arrival pattern that a large number of such packets arrive may be repeated. When this phenomenon occurs, a large amount of stream packets cannot be received by the client 100, and the viewing quality may be disturbed.
[0064]
Therefore, in order to detect this state, the stream connection unit 201 sets the allowable arrival number K when a certain number or more of stream packets arrives in the reception state monitoring unit 206 at the time of starting the stream viewing monitoring. deep.
[0065]
The stream transmission / reception unit 203 measures the number of stream packet arrivals from the stream distribution server unit 212 per unit time, as in the second embodiment, and notifies the reception result monitoring unit 206 of the measurement result. The reception state monitoring unit 206 compares the stream packet arrival number k with the allowable arrival number K, and when k> K, notifies the connection unit control unit 205 of that fact. The connection unit control unit 205 notifies the stream distribution management server device 500 of the information as in the second embodiment.
[0066]
(Distribution status display)
In the stream delivery management server device 500, the communication unit 501 receives the information transmitted from the stream relay device 200 in which the burst arrival of the stream packet of the stream content being monitored has occurred, and the stream delivery status display unit 503 displays the information. The information is displayed at a display location corresponding to the relay device 200 where the arrival has occurred.
[0067]
As described above, according to the third embodiment described above, even if the service of the stream distribution server 300 performing the stream distribution is stopped or the network failure does not occur, the stream packet distribution from the server becomes unstable. If stream packets exceeding the permissible packet arrival number per unit time arrive at the stream connection unit 201, it is determined that the stream distribution quality has deteriorated, and that fact is displayed on the stream distribution management server device 500, It is possible to notify the stream distribution manager.
[0068]
The display of the stream distribution status can be performed for each stream content, each stream relay device, or each stream relay device group.
[0069]
The processing in the stream relay device and the stream distribution management server device is performed not only by dedicated hardware, but also by recording a program for realizing the function on a computer-readable recording medium. The program recorded on the medium may be read by a computer system and executed. The computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk device built in a computer system. Further, the computer-readable recording medium is one that dynamically holds the program for a short time (transmission medium or transmission wave), such as a case where the program is transmitted via the Internet, and serves as a server in that case. It also includes those that hold programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory inside a computer system.
[0070]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in a large-scale stream distribution network, stream distribution state monitoring can be efficiently realized at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a stream relay management network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a stream relay device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a stream distribution management server device in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a transition of the number of stream packet arrivals.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the transition of the number of stream packet arrivals.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a first conventional example of a stream relay management network.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a second conventional example of a stream relay management network.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a third conventional example of a stream relay management network.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 clients
200 Stream Relay Device
201 Stream connection unit
202 Stream distribution status analysis unit
203 stream transmission / reception unit
204 connection processing unit
205 Connection part control part
206 reception status monitor
207 Communication unit
208 communication unit
209 State analysis unit
210 Distribution state analysis unit control unit
211 Communication unit
212 Streaming server
300 Streaming server
400 stream encoder
500 Stream distribution management server device
501 Communication unit
502 control unit
503 Stream distribution status display section
504 Command input section
505 Command analysis unit
506 Automatic command generator

Claims (15)

In a stream distribution network,
For a stream distribution server that performs stream distribution, performs a viewing connection process to a specific stream content, transmits viewing request information to the stream distribution server, receives a stream packet from the stream distribution server, A stream distribution management method comprising: monitoring a distribution state; and notifying the distribution state to a stream distribution state analysis unit. The stream distribution management method according to claim 1, wherein the stream monitoring information is received from the stream distribution management server, and a viewing connection process to the stream content is performed based on the information. 2. The stream distribution management method according to claim 1, wherein a stream content to be viewed and connected is set in advance, and a viewing and connecting process to the stream content is performed based on the set content. 2. The stream distribution management method according to claim 1, wherein it is detected that a control connection with a stream distribution server that distributes the content is disconnected or cannot be connected. A stream delivery management method for detecting that a stream packet from a stream delivery server delivering the content does not arrive for a predetermined time. 2. The stream delivery management method according to claim 1, wherein the stream delivery management method according to claim 1, wherein it is detected that the number of stream packets from the stream delivery server delivering the content arrives more than the number of packets allowed per unit time. In a stream distribution network,
A stream distribution management method comprising: receiving a stream distribution state from a stream relay device having means for monitoring a stream distribution state; and displaying the stream distribution state based on the information. The stream distribution management method according to claim 7, wherein the stream distribution state is displayed for each stream content. The stream distribution management method according to claim 7, wherein the stream distribution state is displayed for each stream relay device. The stream distribution management method according to claim 7, wherein the stream distribution state is displayed for each stream relay device group. 2. The stream distribution management method according to claim 1, wherein a control command for the stream distribution server is automatically generated according to the stream distribution status information, and the control command is notified to the stream distribution server. In a stream distribution network,
A stream distribution server unit that receives a stream packet transmitted from the stream distribution server and transmits the stream packet to a client;
Means for allowing the stream distribution server unit to perform a viewing connection process to a specific stream content with respect to the stream distribution server; transmitting viewing request information to the stream distribution server to the stream distribution server unit; Means for receiving a stream packet from the distribution server unit, means for monitoring the distribution state of the stream packet, means for communicating with the stream distribution state analysis unit, and A stream connection unit including means for performing a stream connection process according to the analysis result;
A stream delivery state analysis unit including means for communicating with the stream delivery management server device, means for communicating with the stream connection processing unit, means for analyzing the stream delivery state, and means for controlling based on the stream delivery state A stream relay device having: In a stream distribution network,
Means for receiving stream distribution state information from a stream relay device having means for monitoring the stream distribution state, means for displaying the stream distribution state based on the information, means for a stream manager to input a control command, And a means for analyzing the command, and means for transmitting stream control information based on the analysis result to the stream relay apparatus. In a stream distribution network,
A stream distribution management system comprising the stream relay device according to claim 12 and the stream distribution management server device according to claim 13. A stream distribution management program for causing a computer to execute the distribution management method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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