JP2009152830A - Method and device for band limitation in ip network - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for band limitation in an IP network, which perform band limitation for data communication without disturbing viewing of broadcast through IP multicast communication for user networks that data communication is performed with continuously generating large amounts of traffic. <P>SOLUTION: Band limitation is performed by an external server in the state of excessive traffic (1-1), and when an available bandwidth for data communication is limited to XMbps (1-2), IGMP Report (a distribution request) is transmitted from a set-top box (STB). When an IP multicast data request signal is transmitted, broadcast start is recognized by snooping of the message and the band limitation is eased to secure a bandwidth necessary for broadcast. When broadcast viewing is completed, the bandwidth is recovered to the limitation value (XMbps) before broadcast viewing (1-4). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bandwidth limiting method and apparatus in an IP network, and more particularly to a bandwidth limiting method and apparatus for limiting the bandwidth of Internet data without disturbing viewing of broadcasts by IP multicast communication in an IP network.

  Most consumer broadband services are flat-rate, not pay-per-use, and are best-effort services that share the Internet communication bandwidth among many users. Therefore, when a certain user consumes a large amount of communication bandwidth due to P2P (Peer-to-Peer) communication or downloading of large-capacity video data, the communication bandwidth that other users can use is compressed. Become.

  Depending on the Internet service provider, restrictions such as bandwidth limitation are imposed on users who continuously generate a large amount of traffic that significantly exceeds the average bandwidth usage. A service for guaranteeing a predetermined bandwidth to a user is provided.

The following Patent Document 1 describes a network management system that efficiently uses a limited network bandwidth by a large number of users. The network management system accepts and registers bandwidth guarantee reservation information from a user for a communication network capable of bandwidth guarantee and best-effort traffic transfer, and performs bandwidth guarantee and best effort according to the registered reservation information. It manages traffic forwarding, detects unreserved users whose throughput is expected to decrease based on the total guaranteed bandwidth registered, and notifies the unreserved users of a decrease in throughput. When a user makes a bandwidth reservation in response to a notification of a decrease in throughput, a larger number of users can efficiently use a limited network bandwidth.
JP 2006-13890 A

  On the other hand, in order to stop analog terrestrial broadcasting in 2011, we will try to provide broadcast data to areas where broadcast radio waves are difficult to reach by IP multicast communication in the IP network that performs the above-mentioned bandwidth guarantee and traffic transfer with best effort. Consideration has been made.

  In broadband services that can distribute broadband data such as video data over an IP network, an xDSL line using a metallic line as an access line, an optical line using a media converter (MC), and the like are used. A line termination device such as a type media converter (MC) is installed.

  The line terminator is accommodated in a concentrator such as a collective media converter (MC) or DSLAM installed in a communication station. In addition, a video distribution server is provided on the upper side, and broadcast data is distributed by IP multicast communication. FIG. 2 shows an example of a system configuration for distributing video over an IP network.

  In the system configuration example of FIG. 2, a video distribution server 2-3 is connected to a router 2-2 connected to the Internet network 2-1, and the router 2-2 is connected to the concentrator 2-5 via a switch 2-4. The concentrator 2-5 accommodates the user-connected line terminator 2-6, and the line terminator 2-6 is connected to the personal computer 2-8 and the set-top box (STB) via the home terminal connection device 2-7. The television receiver 2-10 is connected to the set top box (STB) 2-9.

  In FIG. 2, general Internet communication data is transmitted and received between the Internet network 2-1 and the personal computer 2-8 by a route indicated by a solid line, and the video distribution server 2-3 is transmitted by IP multicast communication by a route indicated by a dotted line. Broadcast data (video signal) is distributed to the television receiver 2-10.

  The line terminator 2-6 or the line concentrator 2-5 has a function of performing band limitation on a user basis. An Internet service provider warns a user who has generated traffic exceeding the average user bandwidth over a long period of time by exchanging files using P2P communication, etc. Regulate bandwidth restrictions.

  In the video distribution system using the IP network as described above, when the line terminating device 2-6 or the line concentrator 2-5 limits the use band of a specific user, the band for all transmission / reception data of the user is used. Restriction is implemented, and for example, it is not possible to perform a restriction process such that only IP multicast communication data is not subject to bandwidth restriction.

  For this reason, if the process of narrowing the use band is performed in order to limit the band, the band is also narrowed for broadcast data. However, even if a large amount of traffic is generated by Internet communication, which is annoying other users, it is not desirable to disturb viewing of the broadcast for that reason. Since broadcast data consumes a bandwidth of several Mbps to several tens of Mbps, there is a possibility that the viewing of the broadcast will be hindered if the bandwidth is limited.

  The present invention provides a bandwidth limit that imposes a bandwidth limit on data communication for a user line that continuously generates a large amount of traffic and performs data communication, but does not hinder viewing of a broadcast by IP multicast communication. It is an object to provide a limiting method and apparatus.

  The bandwidth limitation in the IP network according to the present invention is performed by snooping the protocol for IP multicast communication and recognizing a broadcast data distribution start request by IP multicast communication. When the broadcast data distribution stop request by the IP multicast communication is recognized by snooping the IP multicast communication protocol by setting the limit value to the bandwidth plus the width, the time before the broadcast data distribution start The bandwidth setting is returned to the bandwidth limit value.

  According to the present invention, a bandwidth limiting device such as a line terminating device or a line concentrator that performs bandwidth limitation recognizes the start / stop of broadcast data distribution by the protocol snooping function for IP multicast communication, and limits the bandwidth at that timing. , Temporarily set the bandwidth to ensure at least one bandwidth of the broadcast channel at the start of broadcast data distribution, and set the original bandwidth at the stop of broadcast data distribution, Bandwidth restrictions can be imposed on user line data communications that generate excessive traffic without hindering viewing of the broadcast.

  In the present invention, since the broadcast data distribution start / stop is recognized by the snooping function of the protocol for IP multicast communication such as IGMP and the band limit value is changed at the recognition timing, the process of changing the band limit value is added. In this case, it is not necessary to add a timing control function for starting a new process, and the implementation is easy.

  A line terminator is installed in the user's house, and a set top box (STB), which is equipment for viewing images, is connected to the line terminator, and a television receiver is connected to the set top box (STB). Is done. When a user operates a television receiver to select a certain broadcast channel, the set-top box (STB) transmits an IGMP Report (Join message) of the broadcast channel and requests for distribution of IP multicast data of the broadcast channel. A signal is sent out.

  IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) is an IP multicast communication protocol that efficiently distributes the same data to a plurality of hosts, and is a protocol that controls a group of hosts that receive the distribution. A host is used to join or leave a group or exchange information about a group of hosts between IP multicast routers.

  In a system that supports broadcasting by IP multicast communication, a line terminating device or a line concentrator snoops a protocol for IP multicast communication such as IGMP or MLD ((Multicast Listener Discovery), and performs multicast distribution by the protocol. IP multicast data is distributed only to the requesting user.

  When the line terminator or the line concentrator recognizes a message (IGMP Report) indicating a broadcast data distribution start request by snooping the IP multicast communication protocol message, the data of the IP multicast group requested by the message is received. It is transmitted through the line as it is.

  A line terminating device or a line concentrator that performs snooping of a protocol message for IP multicast communication determines whether to transmit or block IP multicast distribution data as it is through each line accommodated by itself. It has a function.

  Using this function, when bandwidth limitation is imposed due to excessive traffic and IP multicast distribution data starts to be transparently distributed to the user line, the bandwidth limitation is relaxed to ensure the necessary bandwidth for broadcasting. When the distribution is stopped, by performing the process of returning the band limitation to the original state, the band necessary for the broadcast can be ensured only while the user is viewing the broadcast.

  An operation example of the above-described processing is shown in FIG. When a large amount of Internet data traffic flows on a certain user line and there is an excessive amount of traffic (1-1), it is restricted by a bandwidth limit by an external server, and a bandwidth limiter such as a line terminator or a concentrator is used. It is assumed that the bandwidth used for data communication is limited to XMbps (1-2).

  In this state, when an IGMP Report (distribution request) message is sent from the set top box (STB) and an IP multicast data distribution start request signal is sent, the line terminator or the line concentrator performs snooping of the message. Then, the bandwidth restriction is relaxed to secure the bandwidth necessary for broadcasting, and transparent transmission of IP multicast data is set.

  When a bandwidth limit is imposed on the line, a limit value is set to a bandwidth ((X + Y) Mbps) obtained by adding a bandwidth (Y Mbps) corresponding to one channel of a broadcast channel to a currently limited bandwidth (X Mbps). Is enlarged and set (1-3). The bandwidth (Y Mbps) for one broadcast channel is set in advance as a fixed value in the line terminator or line concentrator.

  When the user finishes viewing by operating the television receiver, a delivery stop notification (IGMP Leave) message is sent from the set top box (STB). The line terminating device or the line concentrator recognizes the message by the snooping function, and stops the distribution of the IP multicast data to the line according to the IP multicast protocol. At this time, if a bandwidth limit is imposed on the line, the bandwidth setting is returned to the limit value (X Mbps) before the start of the broadcast viewing (1-4). This makes it possible to regulate the amount of communication data while securing a band for broadcast data.

  Note that when the user performs data communication exceeding the original bandwidth limit value (X Mbps) while viewing the broadcast, the bandwidth (Y Mbps) increased for viewing the broadcast is used in the data communication, and part of the broadcast data is missing. There is a possibility that. However, by providing the line termination device or the concentrator with a priority control function and setting the priority of the IP multicast data high, it is possible to prioritize the distribution of the broadcast data and prevent the broadcast from being hindered.

  Since broadcast data consumes a considerable amount of bandwidth, there is a concern that it may be subject to bandwidth limitation by continuing to watch the broadcast for a long time. In addition, the problem can be solved by measuring the IP multicast communication traffic. This can be easily realized because traffic of broadcast communication, multicast communication, and unicast communication can be separately measured by many line termination devices and the like.

It is a figure which shows the operation example of the change process of the band limiting value by this invention. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example which distributes an image | video by IP network.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 Traffic Excessive State 1-2 Bandwidth Limiting Processing During Data Communication 1-3 Bandwidth Expansion Setting Processing During Multicast Broadcasting 1-4 Bandwidth Limiting Changing Processing When Multicast Broadcasting Stops

Claims (2)

In a method for limiting the bandwidth of a user line in an IP network in which communication data other than broadcast data is transmitted and received together with distribution of broadcast data by IP multicast communication,
When snooping the protocol for IP multicast communication and recognizing the broadcast data distribution start request by IP multicast communication, the limit value is set to the current bandwidth limit value plus the bandwidth for one channel of the broadcast channel. The process of enlarging and setting,
A step of returning the bandwidth setting to the bandwidth limit value at the time before the start of the broadcast data distribution when the broadcast data distribution stop request by the IP multicast communication is recognized by snooping the protocol for the IP multicast communication. Bandwidth limiting method in the network. With the distribution of broadcast data by IP multicast communication, in a user line bandwidth limiting device in an IP network through which communication data other than broadcast data is transmitted and received,
When snooping the protocol for IP multicast communication and recognizing the broadcast data distribution start request by IP multicast communication, the limit value is set to the current bandwidth limit value plus the bandwidth for one channel of the broadcast channel. Means to enlarge and set,
Means for returning the bandwidth setting to the bandwidth limit value before the start of broadcast data distribution when the broadcast data distribution stop request by IP multicast communication is recognized by snooping the protocol for IP multicast communication. Bandwidth limiting device in an IP network.

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