[iptv-users] JDSU tester

Mon Aug 23 21:04:23 EDT 2010

Wouldn’t the tester be able to figure out packet discontinuities and
re-ordering, without the STB’s help?

In terms of STB and network bugs, it would be nice to have some better
transparency.  Our DSLAM vendor, Calix, has a pretty nice Subscriber tab
that shows all the multicast channels and IGMP requests that the STBs
attached to the port have made.  It would be nice to have a log of each IGMP
message, and when the requested multicast stream does go, but it meets most
of our needs today.

Frank

From: Adam Palmblad [mailto:adam.palmblad at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 9:28 AM
To: frnkblk at iname.com
Cc: Glenn Short; iptv-users at puck.nether.net
Subject: Re: [iptv-users] JDSU tester

It's possible to define what you want the probe to trigger on but it also
depends on how capable the STB is. The main feature(if you ask me) is packet
discontinuities and re-ordering(IP and MPEG) which is crucial when you
looking for network problems. We have build an automatic system that sorts
boxes correlated on network location and time to discover sources of error,
saves A LOT of time. Besides we can fix errors before the costumers calls...

But thinks like CPU load, memory usage, channel usage, temperature, HDD
space and so on is also possible to get continuously.

We like it a lot, I have found a lot of strange STB and network bugs with
it. IE you see that one costumer changes channel meanwhile that channel
stops on other STBs and voilá you pin pointed a possible IGMP
misconfiguration or bug. 

//Adam

2010/8/19 Frank Bulk - iName.com <frnkblk at iname.com>

Thanks.  What kind of information does the STB send back?  

Frank

From: Adam Palmblad [mailto:adam.palmblad at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 3:43 AM

To: frnkblk at iname.com
Cc: Glenn Short; iptv-users at puck.nether.net
Subject: Re: [iptv-users] JDSU tester

Check the partner page on there site (agama.tv), we use Motorola and Amino
boxes which we paid the integration of. According to there technicians they
can integrate to everything(not only STBs), I know a case when they couldn't
but that was due to legal issues with the STB vendor.

//Adam

2010/8/19 Frank Bulk - iName.com <frnkblk at iname.com>

If you can’t look inside the video stream because of encryption issues then
that will help direct you to an appropriate tool.  No use paying for all the
L7 stuff if you only have L3/4 to work with.

Which STBs does it integrate with?  I’m highly suspect of vendor claims in
this area, because the chance that one’s environment matches up such that
you can actually take advantage of it is slim.

Frank

From: Adam Palmblad [mailto:adam.palmblad at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 2:37 AM
To: frnkblk at iname.com
Cc: Glenn Short; iptv-users at puck.nether.net

Subject: Re: [iptv-users] JDSU tester

Afaik there's no encryption that ruins the whole IP packet so IP information
can always be analyzed(i.e packet loss and reordering), which I see as the
most important part if you also monitor the distribution before the IP
network.But Agama support DVB encryption and can analyze streams with that,
I think that they have support for some non dvb encryptions as well.

They also have STB integrations which makes it possible for STBs to
continuous send back quality data, it's really great. Depending on STB this
can be done after the stream is encrypted.

//Adam

2010/8/18 Frank Bulk <frnkblk at iname.com>

How does it deal with encrypted content?

We’ve budgeted for equipment the last few years, but never purchased.  A
large part of the reason is that the problem is very, very infrequently the
video stream, but most often the last mile.  And we can know that by looking
at the DSLAM port stats, for free.

Frank

From: iptv-users-bounces at puck.nether.net
[mailto:iptv-users-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Glenn Short
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010 2:16 PM
To: iptv-users at puck.nether.net
Subject: [iptv-users] JDSU tester

I had a salesman demo a JDSU  TB4000T tester with the C4000-IPTV software in
it .  This would be used for testing our digital signal and troubleshooting
issues. Has anyone on the list tried this unit?   It has the Wireshark
program and allows you to view the video on its screen.  Looking for
recommendations or alternatives to this unit.   

Glenn Short, General Manager
Lost Nation - Elwood Telephone Company
Lost Nation, Iowa
glenns at LNEtelco.com
563-678-2470   Office
563-593-1382   Cell
http://www.LNETelco.com/

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