1.645 Stream-KeySelect

The Stream-KeySelect logical device lets you comfortably set BISS encryption keys and streaming protocol passphrases from a central database. You may store the key /passphrase with a user defined description in the database and retrieve them by this descriptive text.

Stream-KeySelect reads its key definitions from the satellite database (SQL database). It replaces the older BISS-KeySelect-CDB device and adds support for streaming passphrases.

Device window pages

The following table shows which device window pages are available with this individual device type. Tool-bar functions not mentioned here are described at the general description of device windows .

• --- The main control (key select) page for the device.
• --- The device info page.
• --- The maintenance page. The configuration parameters from this page are described below.

Operation modes

The Stream-KeySelect device provides different operating modes for BISS key and streaming passphrase management. By default the device resembles the operation mode of the older BISS-KeySelect-CDB device:

• The device duplicates the BISS-1/BISS-E selection parameter of the decoder / encoder device. The BISS mode may be selected either at the Stream-KeySelect device or at the decoder / encoder device itself.
• The list of available BISS keys from the database only contains the entries which match the actually selected BISS mode.
• Manually entered BISS keys are checked to be a valid hexadeximal number with 12 or 16 digits, depending on the selected BISS mode.

Alternatively the device may be used to manage stream passphrases stored in the database. In this mode the device reads the so called 'passmode' from the decoder / encoder device it controls. This passmode is a keyword which defines the destination parameter ID for a passphrase in this particular mode. This indirection has been introduced to cope with devices which expect the passphrase at different parameters for each IP protocol mode.

• To use the 'passmode' operation mode of the Stream-KeySelect device, the 'passmodeId' configuration parameter must be set to a variable at the decoder / encoder which reports the name of the passmode actually to use.
• For all known passmode names the controlled device may report, the passmode name and the corresponding destination for the passphrase must be configured.
• In 'passmode' operation mode the Stream-KeySelect device does not monitor or set a BISS-mode and it accepts a free text for manually entered passphrases.
• The Stream-KeySelect device may dynamically switch between BISS mode and one of the passphrase modes. If the parameter addressed by 'passmodeId' reads the predefined value 'BISS', the Stream-KeySelect device switches to BISS mode.

Operation

To set a Stream key at the device ion BISS mode, first select the BISS mode (BISS-E, BISS-1, ...). Then select the key by its name from the list of keys and press enter.

Alternatively you may enter a 12 or 16 digit hexadecimal number to the field, the device treats this as a BISS key to be forwarded without using the database. This way you easily can use encryption keys which are not stored in the database.

Most IRD devices do not allow to read back the BISS encryption key. The BISS-KeySelect-CDB device defangs this restriction by leaving the last key applied in the entry field. You should be aware, that there may be situations where the displayed key is not that one actually active in the IRD.

In the passphrase modes the field for the BISS mode is not applicable and greyed out. Simply select the name of the passphrase to apply and press enter. Alternatively you may enter a passphrase directly in the selection field, followed by 'Enter'.

Configuration parameters

At the maintenance page of the device window there are a couple of configuration parameters which must be set to interconnect the Stream-KeySelect device with the equipment.

Variables defined by this device driver