1. Westnet Summer 2005 – UC Boulder
Syringa Networks
Video over GigE Steve Maloney June 23, 2005

2. Video Needs
Rural Telcos adding cable TV-like services for the “triple play”
Distribution from head-end (satellite downlinks) to distant locations
Local terrestrial broadcast stations delivery (to cable system head-ends, telco head-ends, DBS collectors, campuses and hospitals), particularly DTV channels that are not repeated through translators
VOD and V(A)OD (the Netflix/Tivo model that is evolving ~ (A) stand for “almost

3. Transport Options
Dedicated fiber pair
ATM
GigE

4. GigE Advantage Multi-point drops Ample bandwidth for multiple channels
Cost per channel lower, compared to ATM, when the number of channels get larger
GigE build-out can be leveraged for other (non-video) Ethernet services

5. Syringa GigE Network GigE on Movaz DWDM frequency
Cico 3550 routers as demarc
Six nodes miles end-to-end -- eventually 1300 miles
Network uses IP multicast video, operates its L3 infrastructure using OSPF and PIM-Dense mode protocols

6. Network Map

7. IP Video

8. Syringa Deployment
Channels input from three sources (IdahoPTV and Boise NBC via Cherrypicker, Gig-E; SSC via ATM; PMT from head-end as digital video switch output as Gig-E)
Channels used at several locations
Network extensions as need arises in new locations
172 channels, including audio, local broadcast channels from four DMAs (Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City)
Includes local DTV terrestrial broadcast channels not otherwise available in many rural communities (providing local news, public affairs and legislative coverage, educational (teacher, adult, teen) and kids programming)

9. Problems/Solutions Single management of IP addresses
Defining a video transport service demarc
Monitoring at what point, on what device (as it goes into the network, the end-user sees it, as it comes off the network, etc.; TV screen vs computer monitor)
Meaningful monitoring, defining “trouble”, how to measure quality
Lack of monitoring & measuring options, finally Ineoquest
IP vs. telephone vs. broadcast skill sets

10. Drilling down, quality issues
Two early quality issues were encountered: 1) connection to router at the digital head end site would go away occasionally for no apparent reason, 2) quality of signals from one of the off air points is poor (tiling and pixelization).
First problem was issues within the internal network at digital head end site. Foundry worked with telco to resolve.
Second problem is still being addressed – has improved, but not fixed

11. A tool to measure video quality
Measuring Mpeg streams over IP multicast was required
Demo of IneoQuest Singulus GT-1 for monitoring and analysis of video over IP networks (
Network Determination is “OK”
172 steams
75% of streams variable bit rate – 25% constant bit rate
Approximately 40% network utilization
Zero Media loss as measured in network
IP Packet jitter at an acceptable level
Analyzed MPEG streams
No detectable MPEG encoding impairments!
Assumption is that errors are present prior to encoding
Encoded errors will propagate through network
Content sources
IPTV, Silverstar, PMT
Stream impairments at only on one source
Next Step – take measurements prior to encoder at problem site

12. Looking Forward
Local broadcast signals to hospitals, nursing homes, campuses, resorts
Local terrestrial broadcasters HD programming
Additional telco owner participation
Non-telco customers
GigE around east ring with same architecture
GigE around west ring s on separate fiber pair

13. Links http://www.ineoquest.com/page.php/id/225

14. That’s It
Questions?
Thanks for inviting me -- an emeritus member -- to Westnet. I appreciate it.