KR100748091B1 - Apparatus and method of providing internet broadcasting service - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, when there is a broadcast channel request from each receiving terminal, an Ethernet channel address of unicast address format is generated by applying a preset channel address mapping function to an integer channel number, and the Ethernet channel address is used as a destination address. Manages a plurality of receiving terminals generating a channel request frame whose address is set as a source address, and an entry according to a port map and a multicast address allowed for forwarding for each multicast stream of a broadcast stream, and receives from each receiving terminal. In the channel request frame, the destination address of the unicast address format is converted to the multicast address, and if there is no multicast forwarding entry with the same address as the converted multicast address, the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel requested by the subscriber is duplicated. Includes Ethernet Switching Device for Multicasting Is to initiate a broadcast service provider or Internet device.

Internet Broadcast, IPTV, Ethernet Channel Address, Port Map, Entry, Multicast

Description

Method and apparatus for providing Internet broadcasting service {APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING INTERNET BROADCASTING SERVICE}

1 is a block diagram illustrating the provision of an Internet broadcasting service through a general subscriber network.

2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an internet broadcasting system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram illustrating in detail an Ethernet switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart for explaining an overview of a method for providing an Internet broadcast service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates bit positions for distinguishing a unicast address from a multicast address format in a 6-byte Ethernet address format defined by the IEEE International Standardization Organization.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

200: receiving terminal 210: receiving terminal

270: Ethernet switching device 271: broadcast stream processing unit

272: receiver table 273: multicast forwarding table

300: broadcast server

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an internet broadcast service.

An internet broadcasting service refers to a service that provides multimedia data, ie, video or audio data, to a user in real time or through a video on demand (VOD) service through an internet network.

In providing such an Internet broadcasting service, since a connection line with a high transmission speed is not guaranteed to immediately transmit a large amount of video or audio data, data is divided into several files and transmitted in real time in succession. Even before all of this is transmitted, a streaming service is used that allows the browser or plug-in program to start the presentation (playback) of the received data on the client system.

As a method of providing a streaming service, it is currently common to use a unicast transmission method and a multicast transmission method.

The unicast transmission method is a method in which one sender transmits data to only one receiver and is widely used in general Internet applications or Internet broadcasts.

Multicast transmission is a method in which one sender transmits data to a specific group of recipients and is used in Internet video conferencing.

Among them, the unicast transmission method is easy to implement due to its simple configuration, but at the same time, in the case of an Internet broadcasting service to which a large number of users are connected, particularly a live broadcast, a data packet to be transmitted is separately delivered to each receiver. Since there is a need to transmit, the load on the broadcast server side becomes large. As the number of receivers increases, this problem becomes even bigger.

When the multicast transmission method is used, the broadcast server side can transmit data packets to a plurality of receivers at one time, thereby minimizing waste of network resources due to redundant transmission of data. It can be said.

In general, a subscriber network for providing Internet access services to an enterprise or home subscriber may include connecting an access device such as a digital subscriber access multiplexer (DSLAM) to connect a receiving terminal and a service provider, and interconnecting multiple access devices. And an access server such as a BRAS (Broadband Remote Access Server) connecting the subscriber network and the core backbone network of the service provider.

1 is a block diagram illustrating the provision of an Internet broadcast service through a general subscriber network.

Referring to FIG. 1, a subscriber network for providing an Internet broadcasting service to a subscriber includes a plurality of receiving terminals 100, 105, 110, and 115 receiving the service, and each receiving terminal 100, 105, 110, 115 and a plurality of IP-TV set-top boxes 120 to be connected between each access device 160, a concentrator 150 for condensing the plurality of access devices 160, the connection between the concentrator 150 and the network An access server 140 such as a BRAS, and a broadcast server (not shown) connected to the access server 140 through a network to provide an Internet broadcast service.

The case of providing a multi-channel Internet broadcasting service using IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) protocol among the methods of providing the Internet broadcasting service based on Ethernet in the subscriber network as shown in FIG. 1 is as follows.

The first subscriber who wants to use the Internet broadcasting service transmits the IGMP signal according to the first IGMP protocol signal through the IP-TV set-top box 120-4 using the receiving terminal 115.

When the first access device 160-1 receives the first IGMP signal from the first subscriber, the first access device 160-1 transmits the multicast forwarding state for transmitting the broadcast stream 130 of the channel requested by the subscriber to the Ethernet forwarding table 125-1. Set to.

At this time, if the multicast stream (broadcast stream) 130 of the broadcast channel requested by the first subscriber does not reach the first access device 160-1, the first access device 160-1 receives the received first access device 160-1. 1 transmits the IGMP signal to the upper concentrator 150.

When the first IGMP signal is received, the concentrator 150 sets the multicast forwarding state for transmitting the broadcast stream 130 of the channel requested by the first subscriber to the Ethernet forwarding table 125-3.

Also, when the broadcast stream 130 requested by the first subscriber does not arrive, the concentrator 150 transmits the received first IGMP signal to the higher access server 140 again.

When the first IGMP signal transmitted by the subscriber reaches the device in which the broadcast stream 130 is finally requested through the above process, the broadcast stream corresponding to the broadcast channel is transmitted to the low speed server 140, the aggregation device 150, The first receiving device 115 reaches the connected IP-TV set top box 120-4 via the first access device 160-1.

On the other hand, while receiving the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel requested by the first subscriber, when the second subscriber wants to receive the broadcast stream of the same broadcast channel, the second subscriber uses the second receiving terminal 110 to receive the first stream. 2 Generates an IGMP signal.

When the second IGMP signal is received from the second subscriber, the first access device 160-1 transmits the broadcast stream since the broadcast stream corresponding to the broadcast channel requested by the second subscriber is already transmitted to the first subscriber. The multicast forwarding state is set in the Ethernet forwarding table 125-1 so that it can be replicated and transmitted to the second subscriber.

When the first access device 160-1 receives a broadcast stream requested by the first subscriber and the second subscriber, the first access device 160-1 copies the broadcast stream by referring to the Ethernet forwarding table 125-1. The first subscriber and the second subscriber will receive the same broadcast stream.

In this case, the second IGMP signal of the second subscriber is no longer transmitted to the higher level device because the broadcast stream reaches the first access device 160-1.

Each accessor device 160, concentrator device 150, and access server 140 process the received IGMP signal according to the IGMP protocol.

However, in the Ethernet-based subscriber network environment, in the multicast transmission method of a broadcast stream using a protocol such as IGMP, since a channel change signal (IGMP signal) generated by a subscriber is processed through a control system of intermediate nodes, The slow and irregular response to requests can cause user complaints.

In other words, the cable TV service, which provides a similar type of multi-channel broadcasting service, enables almost instant channel change and channel search, and has almost no service change depending on the usage type of users, while Ethernet multicast control using IGMP signals is provided. The method not only generates channel change delays that are tens of times to hundreds of times more than cable TV, but also may cause irregular response time due to signal processing delay of the control system when the channel change demands of users are congested. Viewers who are used to cable TV services can feel relatively frustrated.

In addition, the effect of computer viruses or the like on intermediate nodes may cause a potential threat to service stability, that is, in the same manner as an Internet communication service, an Internet broadcasting service serviced in the same environment may infiltrate an external virus into the IGMP protocol control system. Serious phenomena that can damage broadcast receivers and network control systems, such as failures caused by viruses and invasion of a large number of IGMP protocols due to virus invasion of the user's computer, can cause serious service failures, which can seriously damage service reliability. Can be.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, when providing an internet broadcasting service using a multicast in an Ethernet-based subscriber network environment providing an internet broadcasting service, the user's broadcast channel change request Multicast stream control is processed directly at the data forwarding layer without relying on the signal processing of the control system protocol to prevent channel change delays, and the potential for service stability that may occur when signals transmitted from subscribers are processed in the control system. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing an internet broadcasting service that can fundamentally eliminate a factor that may be a risk factor.

Service method of the Internet broadcasting system according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object,

The receiving terminal receives an integer channel number and generates an Ethernet channel address in unicast address format, and generates a channel request frame in which the Ethernet channel address is set as the destination address and the receiving terminal is set as the source address. Transmitting it to the Ethernet switching device;

The Ethernet switching device extracts a source address and a destination address from the received channel request frame, converts an Ethernet channel address in a unicast address format, which is a destination address, into a multicast address and uses the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal. Confirming the channel request by the server;

If the channel request from the receiving terminal is a request for a duplicated channel, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed and then the channel request frame is discarded. If the channel change request is made, the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal is stopped. Duplicating and multicasting the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel.

For reference, FIG. 5 illustrates a method of distinguishing a multicast address from a unicast address in a 6 octet sized Ethernet address defined by the IEEE, which is an Ethernet international standardization organization. If the bit is 1, it is recognized as a multicast address. If the bit is 0, it is recognized as a unicast address. Accordingly, the process of converting the unicast address format Ethernet channel address into a multicast address means converting the last bit value of the first octet of the Ethernet address to 1.

At this time, in the method of providing the Internet broadcast service, the Ethernet switching device is configured to receive the receiver status information for receiving the Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal and the receiver table for storing the receiver channel information of each receiver and to each of the multicast streams of the broadcast stream. Manages a multicast forwarding table that stores entries according to port maps, current channel forwarding status information, and multicast address information allowed for forwarding.

In the multicasting step, the source address information of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table in order to confirm the channel request by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal. Checking whether there is; And,

If the source address of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table, it is preferable to stop the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal, and to duplicate the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel. .

Further, in the method for providing the Internet broadcast service, a channel requested by a channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is currently serviced by the Ethernet switching device between the step of converting to the multicast address and the step of multicasting. It is preferable to further include the step of checking whether it is set.

At this time, the Internet broadcast service providing method, the entry according to the multicast address converted from the destination address to confirm whether the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced in the Ethernet switching device It is desirable to check whether is present in the multicast forwarding table. If the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is not currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device, the channel request frame is discarded.

The method may further include checking whether the receiving terminal has a receiving authority with respect to the requested channel between converting to the multicast address and multicasting. It is preferable.

In this case, in the method for providing the Internet broadcast service, it is preferable to check in a port map whether the receiving terminal has a permission state for the requested channel in order to check whether the receiving terminal has the right to receive the requested channel. . In addition, to determine whether the channel request is a request for a duplicate channel or a channel change request channel request, it is preferable to check whether the source address of the frame is registered in the receiver table. If the receiving terminal is not entitled to receive the requested channel, the channel request frame is discarded.

In addition, the method for providing an Internet broadcast service further comprises: checking whether a broadcast stream of a requested broadcast channel is currently being forwarded in a multicast forwarding table, and if not, forwarding a request for a broadcast stream to an upstream node; It is preferable.

Ethernet switching method for providing an Internet service according to another aspect of the present invention,

Receiving, from each receiving terminal, a channel request frame having an Ethernet channel address in a unicast address format as a destination address and an address of the receiving terminal as a source address;

Extracting a source address and a destination address from the received channel request frame, converting an Ethernet channel address of a unicast address format, which is a destination address, into a multicast address, and using this, a channel request by a channel request frame received from the receiving terminal Confirming;

If the channel request from the receiving terminal is a request for a duplicated channel, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed and then the channel request frame is discarded. If the channel change request is made, the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal is stopped. Duplicating and multicasting the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel.

At this time, in the method of providing the Internet broadcast service, the Ethernet switching device is configured to receive the receiver status information for receiving the Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal and the receiver table for storing the receiver channel information of each receiver and to each of the multicast streams of the broadcast stream. Manages a multicast forwarding table that stores entries according to port maps, current channel forwarding status information, and multicast address information allowed for forwarding.

Ethernet switching device for providing an Internet broadcast service according to another aspect of the present invention,

A receiver table for storing receiver status information for receiving an Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal and reception channel information of each receiver;

A multicast forwarding table for storing entries according to a portmap, a current channel forwarding state information, and multicast address information allowed for forwarding for each multicast stream of the broadcast stream; And,

Manages the receiver table and the multicast forwarding table, and checks a channel request by a channel request frame received from a receiving terminal, and if the channel request is a request for a duplicated channel, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed. And discarding the channel request frame, otherwise corresponding to the channel change request, stopping the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal, and copying and multicasting the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel.

In this case, the channel request frame includes a destination address corresponding to an Ethernet channel address of unicast address format generated from an integer number of channel number and a source address corresponding to the address of the receiving terminal.

At this time, in order to confirm the channel request by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal, it is checked whether the source address information of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table, and the source address of the channel request frame is a receiver. If it is registered in the table, the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal is stopped, and the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is duplicated.

In this case, the Ethernet switching apparatus multicasts an entry according to a multicast address converted from a destination address to check whether a channel requested by a channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching apparatus. It is desirable to check whether it exists in the forwarding table. If the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is not currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device, the channel request frame is discarded.

In addition, in order to confirm whether the receiving terminal has a receiving authority with respect to the requested channel, it is preferable to check in a port map whether the port on which the channel request frame is received is in an allowed state. In addition, to determine whether the channel request is a request for a duplicate channel or a channel change request channel request, it is preferable to check whether the source address of the frame is registered in the receiver table. If the receiving terminal is not entitled to receive the requested channel, the channel request frame is discarded.

The broadcast stream processor checks in the multicast forwarding table whether the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is currently being forwarded, and requests the broadcast stream from the upstream node if it is not in the forwarding state.

In addition, the Internet broadcasting system according to an aspect of the present invention,

Receiving a broadcast channel request from a subscriber station, generating an Ethernet channel address in unicast address format from an integer channel number, and then requesting the channel to set the Ethernet channel address as a destination address and setting the address of the receiving terminal as a source address. A plurality of receiving terminals for generating frames;

Check whether the channel request is a request for a duplicate channel or a channel change request by using a source address of a channel request frame received from the receiving terminal. When the request is not for a duplicate channel, the subscriber requests the request. Ethernet switching device for multicasting by copying the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel.

In this case, the Ethernet switching device, a receiver table for storing the receiver status information for receiving the Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal and the reception channel information of each receiver; And managing a multicast forwarding table that stores an entry according to a forwarding allowed port map, current channel forwarding state information, and multicast address information for each multicast stream of the broadcast stream, and receives a channel request received from the receiving terminal. Convert the frame's destination address to a multicast address.

In addition, the Ethernet switching apparatus checks whether the source address information of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table in order to confirm whether the channel request is a request for a duplicate channel or a channel change request. If the source address information of the channel request frame is not registered in the receiver table, it corresponds to a request for a duplicated channel, so only the corresponding entry information is refreshed and the channel request frame is discarded. However, if the source address of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table, it corresponds to a channel change request, so that the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal is stopped, and the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is duplicated and multicasted.

The Ethernet switching device checks whether an entry according to a multicast address exists in the multicast forwarding table in order to confirm whether a channel requested from a receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced in the Ethernet switching device. If an entry according to the translated multicast address does not exist in the multicast forwarding table, the channel request frame is discarded because the channel requested from the receiving terminal is not currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device.

In addition, the Ethernet switching device checks in a port map whether a port for receiving a channel request frame is an allowed port in order to check whether the receiving terminal has a receiving authority for the requested channel. If not, discard the channel request frame.

The Ethernet switching apparatus checks in the multicast forwarding table whether a broadcast stream of a broadcast channel requested from a receiving terminal is currently being forwarded, and requests a broadcast stream from an upstream node if it is not in the forwarding state.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for providing Internet broadcast service according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a view for explaining the Internet broadcasting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the Internet broadcasting system receives a plurality of subscriber stations 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 and is connected to each of subscriber stations 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3. The terminal 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 and the Ethernet switching device 270 connected to each of the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 are included.

Each subscriber station 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 denotes an apparatus for providing an Internet broadcasting service to each subscriber, and each receiver terminal 210-1, 210-2, 210-3 is an IP- It refers to a terminal that connects the Ethernet switching device 270 and each subscriber station 200-1, 200-2, 200-3 like a TV set-top box.

The Ethernet switching device 270 includes a plurality of tables 272 and 273, among which the receiver table 272 stores the receiver status information of the current Internet broadcast service and the reception channel information of each receiver. The cast forwarding table 273 stores an entry according to the port map, the current channel forwarding state information, and the multicast address information for which forwarding is allowed for each multicast stream of the broadcast stream.

The Ethernet switching device 270 manages entries of the receiver table 272 and the multicast forwarding table 273 according to the broadcast channel request received from the subscriber and the current broadcast stream forwarding state.

The Ethernet switching device 270 may verify whether the subscriber is allowed to receive based on the receiver table 272, or process a broadcast reception blocking function, a reception desired channel selection function, and the like.

When the reception terminal 210-1, 210-2, or 210-3 is requested to receive a broadcast channel from the subscriber terminal 200-1, 200-2, or 200-3, the receiver terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 are set in advance with respect to the input integer channel number. The channel address mapping function is applied to generate an Ethernet channel address in the form of a 6 byte unicast address.

In this case, the channel address is an identification number in the form of an Ethernet address used by the Ethernet switching device 270 to control the multicast channel stream, and the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 are received from the service provider. Preferably, the channel address matching function is set in advance.

That is, the service provider preferably provides a channel address matching function embedded in each of the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3.

For example, a case in which the first subscriber station 200-1 requests a broadcast channel will be described.

When the broadcast channel is requested from the first subscriber station 200-1, the first receiving terminal 210-1 receives the channel address of the requested broadcast channel as the destination address and the address of the receiving terminal 210-1 as the source address. Ethernet frame 280 is set to, that is, generates a channel request frame and transmits to the Ethernet switching device 270.

When the channel request frame is received, the Ethernet switching device 270 extracts a destination address and a source address from the received channel request frame, and converts the extracted unicast destination address (channel address) into a multicast address type.

In this case, the Ethernet switching device 270 may convert some of the channel numbers in the form of Ethernet unicast addresses into the form of multicast addresses, thereby converting them to multicast addresses used for actual broadcast channel stream transmission.

The Ethernet switching device 270 searches the built-in multicast forwarding table 273 and checks whether an entry corresponding to the converted multicast address exists.

If the Ethernet switching device 270 does not have a corresponding entry in the multicast forwarding table 273, the channel requested from the first subscriber station 200-1 may cause the current Ethernet switching device 270 to provide a multicast service. Since it is not set, the received channel request frame is discarded.

On the other hand, if the entry exists in the multicast forwarding table 273, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks the allowed port map stored in the multicast address entry.

Further, if the port receiving the channel request frame of the first subscriber requesting the broadcast channel is not registered in the port map stored in the entry, the Ethernet switching device 270 has not set the reception permission of the requested broadcast channel. Negative, discards the channel request frame.

That is, the Ethernet switching device 270 verifies whether the subscriber who has requested the broadcast channel is allowed to receive the broadcast, or processes the broadcast reception blocking function and the reception desired channel selection function.

If the port receiving the channel request frame of the first subscriber is registered in the port map, the Ethernet switching device 270 determines whether the source address (terminal address) extracted from the received channel request frame is registered in the receiver table 272. Check.

When the entry of the terminal address exists in the receiver table 272, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks whether the multicast address stored in the entry matches the converted multicast address, and checks the receiver table 272. If it matches the stored multicast address, it means that it is a duplicated channel request frame. Therefore, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed and the channel request frame is discarded.

Meanwhile, if the converted multicast address and the multicast address stored in the receiver table 272 do not match, it means that the broadcast channel requested by the first subscriber is changed. The corresponding entry is retrieved to terminate the multicast stream forwarding state for the first subscriber.

In addition, the Ethernet switching device 270 binds and stores the converted multicast address in the receiver table 272, and the multicast stream of the broadcast channel requested by the first subscriber is copied to the multicast forwarding table 273 so that the first multicast stream is replicated. Set the frame forwarding state to be transmitted to the receiving port of the subscriber.

On the other hand, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks whether the multicast stream requested by the first subscriber is currently forwarded from the upper node and is in the forwarding state. Address of the device 270) as a source address, and a channel request frame having a channel address in the form of a received unicast address as a destination address is generated and transmitted to the upstream node. That is, after the multicast channel transmission state is set, the Ethernet switching device 270 requests the multicast stream to the upstream node, duplicates the multicast stream of the channel requested by the first subscriber, and transmits the multicast stream to the first subscriber.

3 is a block diagram for explaining in detail the Ethernet switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the Ethernet switching device 270 is connected to a broadcast server 300 that provides a broadcast stream through an internet network, and the broadcast server 300 broadcasts a broadcast stream of a corresponding channel according to a received channel request frame. To provide.

The Ethernet switching device 270 includes a receiver table 272, a multicast forwarding table 273, and a broadcast stream processor 271.

In addition, the Ethernet switching device 270 includes a first interface means (not shown) that can be connected to the broadcast server 300 through the Internet network and a second interface means (not shown) that can be connected to the IP-TV set-top box. do.

The broadcast stream processing unit 271 receives the channel request frame from the subscriber stations 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3 through the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3. The destination address and source address are extracted from the channel request frame, and the extracted unicast destination address (ie, channel address) is converted into a multicast address type.

The broadcast stream processing unit 271 searches the multicast forwarding table 273 to check whether there is an entry corresponding to the converted multicast address, and if there is no entry, the subscriber stations 200-1 and 200-2. 200-3), since the channel requested by the Ethernet switching device 270 is not currently configured to provide a multicast service, discarding the received channel request frame, and if the entry exists, the corresponding multicast address. Check the authorized portmap stored in the entry.

If the port receiving the channel request frame is not registered in the port map stored in the entry, the broadcast stream processing unit 271 discards the channel request frame and, if registered, the source address extracted from the received channel request frame (terminal). Address) is registered in the recipient table 272.

If there is an entry of the terminal address in the receiver table 272, the broadcast stream processing unit 271 checks whether the multicast address stored in the entry matches the converted multicast address. It refreshes, discards the channel request frame, and if it does not match, retrieves the entry corresponding to the subscriber's previous multicast address and terminates the multicast stream forwarding state for the subscriber. That is, the broadcasting of the previous channel is terminated so that the channel is changed.

The broadcast stream processing unit 271 binds and stores the converted multicast address in the receiver table 272, and the multicast stream of the broadcast channel requested by the subscriber is copied to the multicast forwarding table 273 to receive the subscriber's receiving port. Set the frame forwarding state so that it can be transmitted to the network. That is, the broadcast channel of the corresponding channel is transmitted by changing to the requested channel.

On the other hand, the broadcast stream processing unit 271 checks whether the multicast stream requested by the subscriber arrives from the current upper node and is in the forwarding state. 270) as a source address, and generates a channel request frame having the received unicast address format as a destination address and transmits the channel request frame to the upstream node. Copy and send to subscriber.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing an internet broadcasting service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the subscriber requests a broadcast stream of a desired broadcast channel to the Ethernet switching device 270 (S100).

That is, the subscriber requests broadcast channels to the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 using the subscriber terminals 200-1, 200-2, and 200-3, and receives the receiving terminal 210-1. 210-2, 210-3, when a broadcast channel is requested, generates a 6-byte Ethernet channel address by applying a preset channel address mapping function to an input channel number of an integer type, and sets the channel address of the broadcast channel. As a destination address, a channel request frame is set in which addresses of the receiving terminals 210-1, 210-2, and 210-3 are set as source addresses, and are transmitted to the Ethernet switching device 270.

The Ethernet switching device 270 extracts a destination address and a source address from the received channel request frame, and converts the extracted unicast destination address (ie, channel address) into a multicast address type (S110).

The Ethernet switching device 270 detects whether an entry corresponding to the converted multicast address exists in the multicast forwarding table 273 (S 120).

If the entry does not exist in the multicast forwarding table 273, the Ethernet switching device 270 discards the channel request frame (S 130).

On the other hand, if the corresponding entry exists in the multicast forwarding table 273, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks the port map in the corresponding multicast address entry to determine whether the port on which the channel request frame is received is permitted (S). 140).

If the port on which the channel request frame is received from the subscriber who requested the broadcast channel is not registered in the port map stored in the entry, the Ethernet switching device 270 discards the channel request frame (S 150).

If the receiving port is registered in the port map, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks whether the source address (terminal address) extracted from the received channel request frame is registered in the receiver table 272 (S 160). .

If there is an entry of the terminal address in the receiver table 272, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks whether the multicast address stored in the entry matches the converted multicast address (S 170).

If the multicast address stored in the receiver table 272 and the converted multicast address match, the Ethernet switching device 270 refreshes only the corresponding entry information and discards the channel request frame (S 180).

On the other hand, if the converted multicast address and the multicast address stored in the receiver table 272 do not match, the Ethernet switching device 270 searches for an entry corresponding to the previous multicast address of the corresponding subscriber, and searches for the multicast of the previous broadcast channel. The cast stream forwarding state is terminated (S 190).

In addition, the Ethernet switching device 270 binds and stores the converted multicast address in the receiver table 272, and the multicast stream of the broadcast channel requested by the subscriber is duplicated in the multicast forwarding table 273, thereby providing a broadcast channel. The frame forwarding state is set to be transmitted to the receiving port of the requested subscriber (S 200).

On the other hand, the Ethernet switching device 270 checks whether the multicast stream (broadcast stream) requested by the subscriber is currently forwarding from the upper node (S 210), and if the multicast stream is not in the forwarding state, In operation S 220, a channel request frame having its own address (the address of the Ethernet switching device 270) as the source address and the received channel address as the destination address is generated.

Then, the Ethernet switching device 270 duplicates the broadcast stream received from the upstream node and multicasts the multicast stream to each port included in the port map existing in the corresponding entry of the multicast forwarding table 273 (S 230). ).

Although the present invention has been described in detail only with respect to the described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention, and such modifications and modifications belong to the appended claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, in providing an Internet broadcasting service based on Ethernet, a channel change request requested by a subscriber may be processed in hardware by a simplified procedure rather than in accordance with the IGMP protocol. The subscriber can change the channel in real time.

Further, by directly processing the stream processing for the channel change request of the subscriber in the data transmission system, it is possible to provide a more stable Internet broadcasting service without depending on the signal processing process of the control system.

In addition, the Ethernet switching device manages the receiver table and provides the Internet broadcast service to the subscriber based on the receiver table, thereby verifying whether or not the subscriber is allowed to receive the reception, and furthermore, the reception blocking function, which is harmful to minors, is received. It is possible to provide an enhanced service such as a desired channel selection function.

Claims (28)

A receiving terminal receives an integer number of channel numbers, generates an Ethernet channel address in unicast address format, and uses the generated Ethernet channel address as a destination address, and sets the address of the corresponding receiving terminal as a source address. Generating and then transmitting it to the Ethernet switching device; Extracting, by the Ethernet switching device, a source address from the received channel request frame, and confirming a channel request by the channel request frame; And, If the checked channel request is a request for a duplicated channel, the Ethernet switching device refreshes only the corresponding entry information and then discards the channel request frame, and if the checked channel request is a channel change request, Stopping the previous broadcast stream, and duplicating and multicasting the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel. The method of claim 1, Confirming the channel request by the channel request frame received by the Ethernet switching device, And extracting a destination address and a source address from the received channel request frame, and converting an address of a predetermined bit among the extracted unicast destination addresses into a multicast address type to confirm. The method of claim 2, The Ethernet switching device includes a receiver table for receiving an Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal, a receiver table for storing receiver channel information of each receiver, a port map allowing forwarding for each multicast stream of a broadcast stream, and a current channel. And a multicast forwarding table for storing entries according to the forwarding status information and the multicast address information. The method of claim 3, wherein The reception channel information is one or more selected from among the broadcast reception permission channel information, broadcast blocking channel information or reception desired channel information of the subscriber. The method of claim 3, wherein The multicasting of the Ethernet switching apparatus by copying the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel may include: Checking whether source address information of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table; And, If the source address information of the channel request frame is not registered in the receiver table, the received channel request frame is discarded. If the source address of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table, the previous broadcast stream of the receiver terminal is stopped. And duplicating the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel. The method of claim 3, wherein Between the step of the Ethernet switching device translating to the multicast address and the multicasting step, checking whether the channel requested from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced in the Ethernet switching device. Internet broadcasting service method characterized in that. The method of claim 6, Determining whether the channel requested from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device, And checking whether an entry corresponding to the multicast address converted from the destination address exists in the multicast forwarding table. The method of claim 6, If it is determined that the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is not currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device, discarding the channel request frame. Internet broadcast service method. The method of claim 3, wherein Between the step of the Ethernet switching device converting to the multicast address and multicasting, checking whether the receiving terminal is authorized to receive the requested channel. Broadcast service method. The method of claim 9, The step of confirming whether the receiving terminal is authorized to receive the requested channel may include: And checking in the port map whether the port on which the channel request frame is received is in an allowed state. The method of claim 9, And if it is determined that the receiving terminal is not authorized to receive the requested channel, discarding the channel request frame. The method of claim 3, wherein If the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is not currently in a forwarding state, requesting a broadcast stream to an upstream node. The method of claim 12, Requesting a broadcast stream to the upstream node, And generating a channel request frame using the address of the Ethernet switching device as a source address, generating a channel request frame using the received channel address as a destination address, and transmitting the same to an upstream node. Receiving, from each receiving terminal, a channel request frame having an Ethernet channel address as a destination address and an address of the receiving terminal as a source address; Extracting a source address from the received channel request frame and confirming a channel request by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal; And, If the channel request from the receiving terminal is a request for a duplicated channel, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed and then the channel request frame is discarded. If the channel change request is made, the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal is stopped. And replicating the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel and multicasting. The method of claim 14, The Ethernet switching device includes a receiver table for receiving an Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal, a receiver table for storing receiver channel information of each receiver, a port map for which forwarding is allowed for each multicast stream of a broadcast stream, and An Ethernet switching method for providing an Internet service, comprising: managing a multicast forwarding table storing entries based on channel forwarding state information and multicast address information. The method according to claim 14 or 15, Between converting to the multicast address and multicasting, checking whether the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device. Ethernet switching method for providing an Internet service, characterized in that. The method according to claim 14 or 15, Between the step of translating to the multicast address and the step of multicasting, checking whether the receiving terminal has a receiving authority for the requested channel. Switching method. The method according to claim 14 or 15, If the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is not currently in a forwarding state, requesting a broadcast stream to an upstream node. A receiver table for storing receiver status information for receiving an Internet broadcast service through each receiver terminal and reception channel information of each receiver; A multicast forwarding table for storing entries according to a portmap, a current channel forwarding state information, and multicast address information allowed for forwarding of each broadcast stream; And, Manages the receiver table and the multicast forwarding table, and checks a channel request by a channel request frame received from a receiving terminal, and if the channel request is a request for a duplicated channel, only the corresponding entry information is refreshed. Discarding the channel request frame, stops the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiving terminal because it corresponds to the channel change request, and for providing the Internet service including a broadcast stream processing unit for copying and multicasting the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel Ethernet switching device. The method of claim 19, The channel request frame is configured to include a destination address corresponding to the Ethernet channel address generated from the channel number of the integer form and a source address corresponding to the address of the receiving terminal, Ethernet switching device for providing an Internet service. The method of claim 19, The broadcast stream processor checks whether source address information of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table in order to confirm a channel request by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal. If the source address information is not registered in the receiver table, the channel request frame is discarded. If the source address of the channel request frame is registered in the receiver table, the previous broadcast stream of the corresponding receiver terminal is stopped, and the Ethernet switching device for providing an Internet service, characterized in that to duplicate the broadcast stream. The method of claim 19, The broadcast stream processing unit multicasts the entry according to the multicast address converted from the destination address to determine whether the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device. Ethernet switching device for providing an Internet service, characterized in that whether present in the. The method of claim 22, The broadcast stream processing unit discards the channel request frame if the channel requested by the channel request frame received from the receiving terminal is not currently set to be serviced by the Ethernet switching device. Switching device. The method of claim 19, The broadcast stream processing unit provides an internet service, wherein a port map checks whether a port on which the channel request frame is received is in an allowed state in order to confirm whether the receiving terminal has a right to receive the requested channel. Ethernet switching device. The method of claim 24, The broadcast stream processor checks whether the source address of the frame is registered in the receiver table in order to determine whether the channel request is a request for a duplicate channel or a channel change request channel request. Ethernet switching device for providing Internet service. The method of claim 25, And the broadcast stream processing unit discards the channel request frame if the receiving terminal does not have a right to receive the requested channel. The method of claim 19, The broadcast stream processor determines whether the broadcast stream of the requested broadcast channel is currently being forwarded in the multicast forwarding table, and if it is not in the forwarding state, requests for a broadcast stream to the upstream node Ethernet for providing an Internet service Switching device. A subscriber station providing an Internet broadcast service to each subscriber; Receiving a broadcast channel request from a subscriber station, generating an Ethernet channel address from an integer number of channels, and generating a channel request frame for setting the Ethernet channel address as a destination address and setting the address of the receiving terminal as a source address. A receiving terminal; And, Check whether the channel request is a request for a duplicated channel or a channel change request by using a source address of a channel request frame received from the receiving terminal. If the request is not for a duplicated channel, the receiving terminal requests the request. And an Ethernet switching device configured to duplicate and broadcast the broadcast stream of the broadcast channel.

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