Patent ID: 8537679
Filing Date: 2013-09-17
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for load balancing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channels in a layer 2 label switched network, wherein a first one of a plurality of network elements in the layer 2 label switched network is coupled with a second one of the plurality of network elements over a plurality of member links of an aggregate link, wherein the first network element transmits IPTV packets of the IPTV channels over the plurality of member links to the second network element, and wherein the first network element does not base its forwarding decision to forward IPTV packets to the second network element based on layer 3 information of those packets, said method comprising: receiving, at the first network element, a plurality of IPTV packets originating from a single source, wherein each of the received IPTV packets belongs to one of a plurality of IPTV channels; and for each IPTV packet received, the first network element performing the following, determining layer 3 information included in the IPTV packet, generating one or more first channel load balancing keys based on the layer 3 information, generating a first hash value from the first channel load balancing keys, determining which one of the plurality of member links to transmit the IPTV packet on based on the first hash value, and transmitting the IPTV packet to the second network element on the determined member link, wherein each IPTV packet of a certain IPTV channel is transmitted on a same member link in the plurality of member links, wherein transmitting the IPTV packet further includes encapsulating the IPTV packet with a label stack including one or more labels, wherein the second network element to perform the following upon receiving channel load balanced IPTV traffic from the first network element, for each IPTV packet received, performing the following, determining a slot identifier and a port identifier from which the IPTV packet was received on; generating one or more second channel load balancing keys based on the labels included in the IPTV packet and the slot and port identifier, generating a second hash value from the second channel load balancing keys, determining which of another plurality of member links to transmit the IPTV packet based on the second has value; and transmitting the IPTV packet to the third network element on the determined member link from the another plurality of member links between the second network element and the third network element.