Real-time network analysis & troubleshooting for Microsoft IPTV Mediaroom deployments

IQDialogue^® IPTV Mediaroom Advanced is a software probe used to analyze, monitor, baseline, and troubleshoot Microsoft^® Mediaroom^® implementations.

The probe identifies the various client protocols in a comprehensive and familiar web-based format, which in turn provides information on the IPTV, VoD, and multi-room DVR service delivery platforms. In addition, it allows users to measure channel change timing, packet loss, Instant Channel Change (ICC) signaling, and many other parameters (e.g. R-UDP, IGMP, DHCP, etc.) allowing for quick and accurate fault identification.

Mediaroom Signaling Overview

IQDialogue IPTV Mediaroom Advanced provides a visual representation of all aspects of the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV middleware. Classification is done in real-time on type and status, with easy to understand color coding. The user can switch back and forth between the various status screens and operational mode with just the click of a button. Message and activity filtering can be performed on a per set-top box basis for more targeted analysis. Real-time network analysis can be performed passively with the provided network tap.

In-Home Troubleshooting

When traditional analysis just isn't enough, traffic can be monitored "passively" between a set-top box and a residential gateway, DSL modem and router. In this mode, IQDialogue IPTV Mediaroom Advanced can identify and report on packet loss, D-Server communication issues, capacity problems, R-UDP fulfillment efficiency and status messages.

Measurements & Analysis

• Full timing and auditing of Instant Channel Change Protocol (ICC)
• Full timing and auditing of R-UDP based messaging
• Monitoring and support for all Microsoft RTP "X" bit header extensions
• Auto-detection of "real" A-Server IP address and control port, as well as A-Server failover and D-Server failed Channel Change message types
• XML exporting capabilities of data analyzed
• Auto-detection of signaling and vendor protocols, no pre-configuration required
• Measurements and reporting of video in Unicast and Multicast format, as well as the client transition from Unicast to Multicast
• Simple color coding provides an easy-to-read status of bulk messages for quick fault isolation

Recording and Playback

In addition to real-time monitoring, users can directly record and playback all traffic in an industry compliant libpcap format allowing file sharing among technical staff..

Set-Top Box Activity Monitoring

• Stateful monitoring, auditing, logging, and alarming for all set-top box (STB) activity
• Unique Channel Change Tracer analysis and logging
• Full libpcap capture of traffic being monitored and generated
• Automated archiving and logging of faults and anomalous activity
• Loss distance, hole size, number of holes, holes fulfillment through R-UDP, all such activity is parsed in a simple, easily understood human readable format
• Microsoft STB boot-up analyzer

Key Benefits

• Targeted real-time analysis of IP traffic for Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV, ICC, R-UDP, VoD, and multi-room DVR implementations
• Full Microsoft Mediaroom monitoring and analysis support
• Automatic detection of protocols and failure conditions
• Comprehensive range of metrics collected and stored
• Extensive reporting and capture

Key Features

• Microsoft IPTV transactions, protocols, and transport
• Microsoft VOD transactions, protocols, and transport
• Microsoft in-home (e.g. multi-room DVR) signaling and status protocols, including HomePNA testing (topology and performance)
• Supports full extent of Microsoft Mediaroom standard and proprietary protocols and signaling (e.g. DHCP, ICC, IGMP, R-UDP)
• Full support for Microsoft RTP Unicast & Multicast video traffic, as well as client transition from Unicast to Multicast
• Support for all Microsoft RTP header extensions
• Microsoft STB boot-up analyzer
• NTP decoding and analysis
• Auto-detection of:
  • "Real" A-Server IP/control port and A-Server failover
  • D-Server failed Channel Change message types
  • Signaling and vendor protocols (no pre-configuration)
• Comprehensive metrics such as:
  • IGMP join/leave latency and ICC
  • RTT between Mediaroom clients and D Servers
  • Packet loss, packet jitter, and bitrate monitoring
  • Packets lost and fulfilled to the client by R-UDP
  • Loss distance, hole size, number of holes, holes fulfillment through R-UDP, all such activity is parsed in a simple, easily understood human readable format
  • Automated archiving and logging of faults and anomalous activity
• Extensive reporting and capture such as:
  • Measurement and reporting of all supported video traffic formats and transitions
  • XML exporting capabilities of data analyzed
  • Record and playback of all traffic in an industry compliant libpcap format
  • Playback of recordings directly from IQDialogue (without need of a network connection)