OVERVIEW OF AN IPTV NETWORKING INFRASTRUCTURE

Picture shows the typical high level functional requirements of an end-to-end
IPTV system.





















1.3.1 IPTV Data Center

Also known as the “headend,” the IPTV data center receives content from a variety
of sources including local video, content aggregators, content producers, cable,
terrestrial, and satellite channels. Once received, a number of different hardware
components ranging from encoders and video servers to IP routers and dedicated
security hardware are used to prepare the video content for delivery over an
IP based network. Additionally, a subscriber management system is required to
manage IPTV subscriber profiles and payments. Note that the physical location of
the IPTV data center will be dictated by the networking infrastructure used by the
service provider.

1.3.2 Broadband Delivery Network

The delivery of IPTV services requires a one-to-one connection. In the case of a
large IPTV deployment, the number of one-to-one connections increases significantly
and the demands in terms of bandwidth requirements on the networking
infrastructure can be quite large. Advancements in network technologies over the
past couple of years now allow telecom providers to meet this demand for large
amounts of bandwidth networks. Hybrid fiber and coaxial based cable TV infrastructures
and fiber based telecommunication networks are particularly suited to the
delivery of IPTV content.


1.3.3 IPTVCDs

IPTV consumer devices (IPTVCDs) are key components in allowing people to access
IPTV services. The IPTVCD connects to the broadband network and is responsible
for decoding and processing the incoming IP based video stream. IPTVCDs support
advanced technologies that minimize or completely eliminate the effect of network
problems when processing IPTV content. As broadband starts to become a mainstream
service, the functionality of IPTVCDs continues to change and increase in
sophistication. The most popular types of IPTVCDs (residential gateways, IP set-top
boxes, game consoles, and media servers).

1.3.4 A Home Network

A home network connects a number of digital devices within a small geographical
area. It improves communication and allows the sharing of expensive digital
resources among members of a family. The purpose of a home network is to provide
access to information, such as voice, audio, data, and entertainment, between
different digital devices all around the house. With home networking, consumers
can save money and time because peripherals such as printers and scanners, as well
as broadband Internet connections, can be easily shared. The home networking
market is fragmented into a range of different technologies.