Distribution of IPTV data via the Internet Group Management Protocol
IPTV has special requirements for the hardware used. The Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) ensures efficient distribution of IPTV data packets. Special grouping notifications control the multicast stream so that each participating network component from the provider to the STB (Set Top Box) knows which ports need the data of the selected channel. If a TV stream is requested from multiple ports, the data packets at the corresponding node are duplicated as needed. As a result, the provider does not have to send the data individually for each STB, which would cause an enormous amount of data, but the data is multiplied on the way to the boxes.
| Zyxel products that support IGMP | |
router |
Current IPTV offers require at least IGMP v2. All Zyxel VDSL routers support IGMP v2, but some require some configuration customization. |
firewall |
For IPTV deployment, IGMP must be configured |
Switch |
For IPTV deployment, IGMP must be configured |
Wireless Bridge |
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Powerline |
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Switches with IGMP support
If additional switches are used in the local network, they must also support IGMP. Simple, non-configurable switches distribute the multicast data to all ports for lack of learning capability. With active IGMP snooping, a switch connected between the firewall and the set-top box listens and learns which ports require the multicast data. Unconnected connections are spared the unnecessary delivery of significant amounts of data. Otherwise, access points are quickly drowned out because the unnecessarily distributed data quickly exhaust the entire WLAN bandwidth.
| Notes on various provider routers | |
Swisscom Centro Piccolo & Grande | Swisscom's Centro Piccolo and Centro Grande routers enable IP forwarding. This allows you to create your own network behind the router with a USG firewall. The firewall receives the public IP address of the Centro router via DHCP. The TV set-top box can be operated with this setting only parallel to the legacy USG firewall. With the USG110 - representative of the NextGen series - the TV service also works behind the firewall. All network components between the provider router and the set-top box - including switches used - must support at least IGMPv2. If the integrated telephone ports of the Centro Piccolo and Centro Grande are not used, the routers can be replaced if necessary by a simple VDSL bridge (eg a Zyxel P870H in bridge mode). A next-gen firewall with IGMP support enabled handles switching between the multicast infrastructure and the set-top box. |
Swisscom Centro Business | The router Centro Business lacks the ability to forward IP, but offers a PPPoPass-through. So configured, the router forwards the PPPoE protocol over port LAN1. With the WAN interface connected to the LAN1 and set up for PPPoE, the USG receives the public IP address directly. IP telephony and IPTV remain on the business router, while the rest of the network infrastructure is operated through the USG. The public IP address on the USG WANPort simplifies setting up VPNs and virtual servers. |
Swisscom Internet Box | Swisscom's Internet Box does not support bridge mode or IP forwarding. A DMZ function forwards all connection requests from the Internet to the listed IP address in the LAN. Nevertheless, VPN and Virtual-Server can be set up considering the double NAT. Replacement of the Internet box by another router is currently not provided for Provisionierungsgründen according to the provider. |
Sunrise TV | The set-top box from Sunrise TV absolutely needs provisioning data for contacting the IPTV server infrastructure. This receives it only in combination with the Fritzbox delivered by the Provider. For distribution in the local network, the simple, web-managed switches of the Zyxel GS19xx series, but also the fully-manageable switches of the Zyxel GS22xx series are available. |
The information in the PDF attachment applies to the IPTV solution of the providers Sunrise and Swisscom, which are based on IGMP v2. IPTV solutions such as Zattoo, Wilmaa or Teleboy use normal data transmissions. They are not as efficient, but less demanding on the technical conditions.
KB-00350
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