Patent ID: 7778158
Filing Date: 2010-08-17
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. In a video distribution system having provider equipment including a head-end, and associated subscriber equipment, a method of improving fault tolerance at a video switch, said method comprising the steps of: initializing a plurality of switch controllers coupled to each of a plurality of headend controllers by a plurality of switches controlled by the plurality of switch controllers; asserting a switch controller READY signal at each of a plurality of switch controllers coupled to said video switch at said head-end to indicate operational status of each of the plurality of switch controllers; performing self-diagnostic tests on each of the plurality of switch controllers by testing communication between each of a plurality of I/O ports through each of the plurality of switch controllers; asserting a switch controller OK signal upon passing said self-diagnostic tests at each of said switch controllers; indicating primary switch controller functionality by asserting a respective ONLINE signal by one of said plurality of switch controllers; indicating secondary switch controller functionality by de-asserting a respective switch controller ONLINE signal; monitoring the plurality of I/O ports and the primary switch controller by the secondary switch controller; and initiating a switchover event when said secondary switch controller determines during the monitoring of the plurality of I/O ports and the primary switch controller that the primary switch controller is inoperable.