DISCOVERING DATA NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

摘要

A method and apparatus for providing services that are adapted to the access networks of end users (10). By providing defined information to a residential gateway (110) and/or an access network provider (12) a service provider (18) enables the access network provider (12) to open a dedicated communications channel (20) between itself and the service provider. The service provider can use this channel to request information about the capabilities of the end user's access network as well as for requesting conditioning of data streams sent to said end user.

主权项

1. A method of providing a data stream to an end user from a service provider, comprising said service provider:
receiving at a server a request for a data stream from the end user; in response to receiving said request constructing a discovery message in order to discover an access network provider for said end user, said discovery message comprising defined information that will enable said access network provider to create an independent dedicated communications channel between a server of the access network provider and the server of the service provider; and transmitting the data stream and said discovery message to said end user.