Abstract: A method by a network device to restrict access to a management interface, where the management interface is defined by a data model, and where the network device is provided by an equipment provider to an equipment operator for use by the equipment operator. The method includes receiving a first request from a management system to perform a first management operation that involves accessing a module of the data model, where the first request specifies a security credential as a key for a security wrapper defined by the module, and where the security credential is supplied to the management system by the equipment provider and is inaccessible to the equipment operator, verifying whether the security credential specified by the first request is valid, and performing the first management operation in response to verifying that the security credential specified by the first request is valid.

Abstract: A method by a network device to restrict access to a management interface, where the management interface is defined by a data model, and where the network device is provided by an equipment provider to an equipment operator for use by the equipment operator. The method includes receiving a first request from a management system to perform a first management operation that involves accessing a module of the data model, where the first request specifies a security credential as a key for a security wrapper defined by the module, and where the security credential is supplied to the management system by the equipment provider and is inaccessible to the equipment operator, verifying whether the security credential specified by the first request is valid, and performing the first management operation in response to verifying that the security credential specified by the first request is valid.

Abstract: A method and a control node (300) for establishing network functions for processing data packets of a data flow from a delivering node (306) to a receiving node (308) over a communication network (302). The control node identifies (3:2) flow characteristics relating to the data flow and determines (3:3) a succession of network functions (304) in the network for processing the data packets, based on the identified flow characteristics. The network functions (304) are then instructed (3:4a-c) to forward the data packets in the data flow according to the determined succession. The sequence of network functions specifies a service chain. The controller uses OpenFlow. Network functions are dynamically relocated based on network conditions.

Abstract: Mobile communication network (301), mobility node (322) and method for selecting, as a user terminal (304) moves in the mobile communication network (301) from a first node (306) to a second node (311), a cache (308 or 312) that stores a desired content and is closest to the user terminal (304). The method includes receiving a request from the user terminal (304) for a segment of the desired content; querying a mobility functionality (300) run by the mobile communication network (301) about an internet protocol, IP, address of a cache that stores the segment of the desired content; based on a location at the first node (306) or the second node (311) of the user terminal that sent the request, determining the cache (308 or 312) that stores the segment of the desired content and has a location closest to the user terminal (304); and providing the user terminal (304) with an answer that includes the IP address of the closest cache that stores the segment of the desired content.

Abstract: A flexible and context-aware delivery scheme for uniform resource locators builds on a generic representation that can be used for whichever binary content is to be delivered to a client. It can also be applied to improve the network operations of a network operator, the user's perceived quality of experience, and the costs of a content provider that does not need to encode and support different codecs and transport mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus in a multimedia network node (312), for providing a relevant service level for a first subscriber (A) in a multimedia session with a second subscriber (B). A service level policy has been defined for each subscriber. A session negotiation message (3:1) sent by the first subscriber is first obtained. A required service level of the first subscriber is then detected from a service level parameter that the first subscriber has added to the negotiation message. The policy is updated (3:2a) for the second subscriber if the required service level cannot be allowed in the first subscriber's receive direction according to the original policy of the second subscriber, to allow that network resources are reserved (3:3) for the session such that the first subscriber will receive media (3:4) with the required service level.

Abstract: A method and a control node (300) for establishing network functions for processing data packets of a data flow from a delivering node (306) to a receiving node (308) over a communication network (302). The control node identifies (3:2)flow characteristics relating to the data flow and determines (3:3) a succession of network functions (304) in the network for processing the data packets, based on the identified flow characteristics. The network functions (304) are then instructed (3:4a-c) to forward the data packets in the data flow according to the determined succession. The sequence of network functions specifies a service chain. The controller uses OpenFlow. Network functions are dynamically relocated based on network conditions.

Abstract: A method and nodes in a communication network for controlling multi-cast delivery of files, wherein the multi-cast delivery is adapted to reduce the amount of required uni-cast file deliveries in the communication network. A browser of an IPTV Terminating Function requiring a file interrogates a cache of the IFT for the file content before a uni-cast request for file delivery is sent to an Application Service Platform. The files stored in the cache have been previously delivered to the IFT via the proposed multi-cast mechanism. If the file content is not stored in the cache, a uni-cast request is sent to the ASP. Each uni-cast request is also forwarded to a Multi-Cast Controller, which determines whether the requested file should be sent also to a plurality of additional IFTs on a multi-cast channel. At each IFT, listening to the multi-cast channel, the received content can be handled selectively according to a filtering mechanism, and a received file may, e.g. be stored in the cache for later retrieval.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a router of an IP network, for providing a relevant and expected service level for a first subscriber (A) in a peer-to-peer session with a second subscriber (B). When a session setup message (PATH) sent from the first subscriber is received (2:2) at the router, a required service level is detected from a service level indicator in the received message, and a service level definition of an operator of the first subscriber is obtained (2:3) for interpreting the service level indicator. Communication resources required for data transmission during the session are determined (2:4) according to the detected service level as interpreted by the service level definition. The determined communication resources are then booked (2:4) in the router, and the session setup message is forwarded (2:7) to a next hop node in the transmission path towards the second subscriber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a router (200) of an IP network, for providing a relevant and expected service level for a first subscriber (A) in a peer-to-peer session with a second subscriber (B). When a session setup message (PATH) sent from the first subscriber is received (2:2) at the router, a required service level is detected from a service level indicator in the received message, and a service level definition of an operator of the first subscriber is obtained (2:3) for interpreting the service level indicator. Communication resources required for data transmission during the session are determined (2:4) according to the detected service level as interpreted by the service level definition. The determined communication resources are then booked (2:4) in the router, and the session setup message is forwarded (2:7) to a next hop node in the transmission path towards the second subscriber.

Abstract: It is presented a method for transferring receiving of streaming content from a first media receiver to a second media receiver, the method comprising the steps, executed in a streaming transfer server, of: receiving a presence message indicating the presence of the second media receiver; receiving an in use message indicating that the first media receiver is in active use by the user; transmitting a present media receiver message to the first media receiver, the present media receiver message comprising an identifier of the second media receiver; receiving a transfer message indicating that the receiving of the streaming content should be transferred from the first media receiver to the second media receiver; obtaining an identifier of the streaming content; and transmitting an initiate content message to the second media receiver, wherein the initiate content message comprises the identifier of the streaming content.

Abstract: Mobile communication network (301), mobility node (322) and method for selecting, as a user terminal (304) moves in the mobile communication network (301) from a first node (306) to a second node (311), a cache (308 or 312) that stores a desired content and is closest to the user terminal (304). The method includes receiving a request from the user terminal (304) for a segment of the desired content; querying a mobility functionality (300) run by the mobile communication network (301) about an internet protocol, IP, address of a cache that stores the segment of the desired content; based on a location at the first node (306) or the second node (311) of the user terminal that sent the request, determining the cache (308 or 312) that stores the segment of the desired content and has a location closest to the user terminal (304); and providing the user terminal (304) with an answer that includes the IP address of the closest cache that stores the segment of the desired content.

Abstract: It is presented a method for transferring receiving of streaming content from a first media receiver to a second media receiver, the method comprising the steps, executed in a streaming transfer server, of: receiving a presence message indicating the presence of the second media receiver; receiving an in use message indicating that the first media receiver is in active use by the user; transmitting a present media receiver message to the first media receiver, the present media receiver message comprising an identifier of the second media receiver; receiving a transfer message indicating that the receiving of the streaming content should be transferred from the first media receiver to the second media receiver; obtaining an identifier of the streaming content; and transmitting an initiate content message to the second media receiver, wherein the initiate content message comprises the identifier of the streaming content.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for switching between a common media stream and a selective media stream of a media session received in a media player including a media buffer entity. Media frames of either a common media stream or a selective media stream are received and buffered in the media buffer entity. A switch at the media buffer entity is then controlled so that the output of the media buffer entity is changed from delivering common media frames to delivering selective media frames, or vice versa, upon detecting a stream switching trigger frame in the received media frames.

Abstract: A flexible and context-aware delivery scheme for uniform resource locators builds on a generic representation that can be used for whichever binary content is to be delivered to a client. It can also be applied to improve the network operations of a network operator, the user's perceived quality of experience, and the costs of a content provider that does not need to encode and support different codecs and transport mechanisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DRM device and method for providing secure linking to a user identity. A first request is sent to a subscriber identity module. A message is received from the subscriber identity module via a secure authenticated channel. The message comprises at least a master key identifier, a random number, and a derived key. In response to the message, a second request is sent to a DRM server. The second request comprises at least a master key identifier, the device identifier, and a random number. Also disclosed is a DRM server and method for providing secure linking to a user identity. A first request is received from a DRM device. The first request comprises at least master key identifier, a device identifier, and a random number. The DRM device is authenticated. A second request for an application specific key is sent to a trusted key management server. The second request comprises at least a master key identifier. At least a key is received from the trusted key management server.

Abstract: In a method of providing a channel/client status register to enable improved channel switching in an Internet Protocol network with a plurality of client nodes each capable of receiving video sessions over a plurality of channels from at least one video provider system, initially arranging S1 said plurality client 5 nodes into an associated group. A first client node, upon switching to or joining a new channel, transmitting S2 a channel update message to said associated group, said channel update message comprising an identity of said first client node, an identity of said new channel and a topological indication for said channel. Subsequent providing and updating S3 a respective channel/client 10 status register in each of said plurality of client nodes based on said transmitted channel update message, thereby enabling identification of what channels the client nodes in said associated group are associated with or viewing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a router (200) of an IP network, for providing a relevant and expected service level for a first subscriber (A) in a peer-to-peer session with a second subscriber (B). When a session setup message (PATH) sent from the first subscriber is received (2:2) at the router, a required service level is detected from a service level indicator in the received message, and a service level definition of an operator of the first subscriber is obtained (2:3) for interpreting the service level indicator. Communication resources required for data transmission during the session are determined (2:4) according to the detected service level as interpreted by the service level definition. The determined communication resources are then booked (2:4) in the router, and the session setup message is forwarded (2:7) to a next hop node in the transmission path towards the second subscriber.

Abstract: An IMS-enabled control channel for an IPTV service is provided by receiving at a Serving Call/State Control Function (S-CSCF) a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) REGISTER message, the SIP REGISTER message identifying the originating user, receiving at the originating user a response from the S-CSCF indicating that the originating user has been authorized, and sending a SIP INVITE message from the S-CSCF to establish an open channel connection with a selected IPTV Application Server (AS). This open channel connection can then be used for the transmission of control messages, such as for starting play, starting recording, stopping play, etc., between the STB and the IPTV applications server, as well as for the delivery of personalized content, such as advertisements, voting responses, personalized voting triggers and targeted interactive events. By maintaining an open control channel with the IPTV AS, this offers a substantial reduction in the setup delay times for different applications.

Abstract: A method of managing a unicast-based media session is disclosed. A user terminal having access to channel identifiers of media channels available at a media server compiles a SIP-based channel request comprising a channel identifier of one of the available media channels and a port identifier of at least one media input port of the terminal. This message is sent to a network node for initiating delivery of media data of selected media channel to the announced media input port. The SIP-based data signaling also allows switching between unicast-based media channels and switching between unicast-bast and multicast/broadcast-based media channels during the ongoing media session.