Media access layer ping protocol for diagnosing cable modem links
US7227889B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/10
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are disclosed for performing diagnostic tests of a communication link between a headend and a cable modem without having to assign an IP address to the cable modem. The diagnostic tests are performed at the MAC layer and test the state of the hardware between and including the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a selected cable modem. By doing so, a network operator is able to more easily focus in on a potential problem in cable RF/MAC connectivity between the two components by first eliminating (or identifying) a problem with hardware before focusing on problem-solving at the software level, typically at the Network layer, at which point the cable modem is assigned an IP address.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.