Rapid cable modem re-provisioning in a cable network
US7334252B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/0816
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for allowing rapid re-provisioning of a cable modem at the MAC/physical layer in a cable modem network. After a cable modem goes through power-up/self-test, i.e., a hard boot, and goes through initial provisioning, the modem is in a steady state in which standard DOCSIS periodic ranging is performed. It is during periodic ranging that the provisioning status, such as bit rate, ISP, etc., can be rapidly changed to allow for “on the fly” changes in provisioning. A cable modem is synchronized with the cable modem network. The modem is then provisioned once it receives a configuration file from a provisioning system. Periodic ranging is then performed between the modem and the CMTS, located either in a headend or a fiber node in the cable plant. The periodic ranging is interrupted by a command or action taken by the CMTS on the cable modem instead of the modem being affected directly by the provisioning system. Once periodic ranging is broken, either by cessation of polling messages or a ranging abort command, the modem goes directly to re-synchronizing with the cable network and re-provisions, i.e., avoids performing a powe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.