Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes allocating by a scheduler a transmission opportunity to each of one or more flows listed in a tracking table associated with the a scheduler; and, for each of the one or more flows, sending a bandwidth allocation message to a network element associated with the flow in accordance with a schedule maintained by the scheduler, wherein the bandwidth allocation request is unsolicited by the network element; and determining whether the flow optimized use of the transmission opportunity in accordance with an allocation policy implemented by the scheduler. The method further includes adjusting the schedule in accordance with results of the determining for each of the one or more flows. In certain embodiments, the allocating may comprise allocating an equal transmission opportunity to each of the one or more flows.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus provide for a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS may include a virtual machine configured to provide a plurality of virtual CMTSs (vCMTSs). The CMTS may also include a plurality of subscriber groups. Each subscriber group of the plurality of subscriber groups may be assigned to a vCMTS of the plurality of vCMTSs. Additionally, each vCMTS is configured to provide a process.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first data at a first network element; determining that the first data does not match an entry in an access control list; and sending a first message to a second network element that causes the second network element to enter into a low-power state. In yet another example embodiment, the method can include receiving a second data; determining that the second data matches an entry in the access control list; buffering the second data; sending a second message to the second network element, where the second message causes the second network element to exit the low-power state; and sending the buffered second data to the second network element.

Abstract: A method in an example embodiment can include polling a first cable modem in a cable network and receiving a first response message from the first cable modem identifying a downstream frequency detected by the first cable modem. The method further includes determining the downstream frequency is split between at least two fiber nodes and determining a cable modem termination system (CMTS) service group topology, where the topology includes the at least two fiber nodes. In specific embodiments, determining that the downstream frequency is split is based on at least the first response message from the first cable modem and a second response message from a second cable modem. In more specific embodiments, the method includes constructing a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) topology map of the cable network based on at least the first and second response messages, where the HFC topology map indicates the CMTS service group topology.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus provide for a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS may include a virtual machine configured to provide a plurality of virtual CMTSs (vCMTSs). The CMTS may also include a plurality of subscriber groups. Each subscriber group of the plurality of subscriber groups may be assigned to a vCMTS of the plurality of vCMTSs. Additionally, each vCMTS is configured to provide a process.

Abstract: A method in an example embodiment can include polling a first cable modem in a cable network and receiving a first response message from the first cable modem identifying a downstream frequency detected by the first cable modem. The method further includes determining the downstream frequency is split between at least two fiber nodes and determining a cable modem termination system (CMTS) service group topology, where the topology includes the at least two fiber nodes. In specific embodiments, determining that the downstream frequency is split is based on at least the first response message from the first cable modem and a second response message from a second cable modem. In more specific embodiments, the method includes constructing a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) topology map of the cable network based on at least the first and second response messages, where the HFC topology map indicates the CMTS service group topology.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for regulating traffic on a network. According to some aspects of the invention, if a subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds a predetermined level over a first period of time, the subscriber's quality of service is adjusted without requiring the subscriber to re-register. According to some embodiments, a first token bucket is used to determine whether the subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds the predetermined level over the first period of time. In some such embodiments, the first token bucket is used to control the burst size of another token bucket, depending on the subscriber's upstream traffic during the first period of time.

Abstract: A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Passive Optical Network (PON) system (DPON) makes optical subscribers appear as cable subscribers. In one embodiment, a Cable Modem (CM) proxy is located in an Optical Line Termination (OLT). The OLT implements a cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with a back office system. The OLT translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into Optical Network Unit (ONU) recognizable commands, and sends the translated data to the ONU. In a second embodiment, the CM proxy is located in the ONU. The ONU implements the cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with the back office system. The ONU translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into ONU recognizable commands and sends the translated data to the ONU.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for regulating traffic on a network. According to some aspects of the invention, if a subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds a predetermined level over a first period of time, the subscriber's quality of service is adjusted without requiring the subscriber to re-register. According to some embodiments, a first token bucket is used to determine whether the subscriber's upstream traffic exceeds the predetermined level over the first period of time. In some such embodiments, the first token bucket is used to control the burst size of another token bucket, depending on the subscriber's upstream traffic during the first period of time.

Abstract: A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Passive Optical Network (PON) system (DPON) makes optical subscribers appear as cable subscribers. In one embodiment, a Cable Modem (CM) proxy is located in an Optical Line Termination (OLT). The OLT implements a cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with a back office system. The OLT translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into Optical Network Unit (ONU) recognizable commands, and sends the translated data to the ONU. In a second embodiment, the CM proxy is located in the ONU. The ONU implements the cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and communicates with the back office system. The ONU translates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into ONU recognizable commands and sends the translated data to the ONU.

Abstract: A method for use in an RFoG cable network calls for allocating upstream bandwidth to CM devices, wherein allocating bandwidth includes selecting a start time and allocating respective time slots relative to the selected start time to at least one of the requesting CM devices; and further, allocating the same timeslots over multiple selected upstream channels, thereby aligning upstream transmissions from the requesting CMs across the selected upstream channels. Several embodiments are disclosed to enable DOCSIS 3.0 type scheduling over an RFoG network.

Abstract: A time domain duplex cable system includes a mechanism to change the communication direction of spectrum used in a cable plant including a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS), a Fiber Node and a plurality of cable modems in communication with the CMTS via the Fiber Node. Active devices, e.g., directional amplifiers switch the communication direction of the cable plant in response to timing information received from the CMTS. To avoid collisions of downstream and upstream packets, a guard time is determined and used in connection with generating the timing information. In one embodiment, the timing information is transmitted in one or more Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Protocol (MAP) messages transmitted by the CMTS towards the cable modems.

Abstract: A method in an example embodiment can include polling a first cable modem in a cable network and receiving a first response message from the first cable modem identifying a downstream frequency detected by the first cable modem. The method further includes determining the downstream frequency is split between at least two fiber nodes and determining a cable modem termination system (CMTS) service group topology, where the topology includes the at least two fiber nodes. In specific embodiments, determining that the downstream frequency is split is based on at least the first response message from the first cable modem and a second response message from a second cable modem. In more specific embodiments, the method includes constructing a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) topology map of the cable network based on at least the first and second response messages, where the HFC topology map indicates the CMTS service group topology.

Abstract: A technique for managing the distribution of digital video content to multiple end-user devices is disclosed. The technique involves statistically multiplexing multiple VBR encoded video streams into an access channel, such as a data over cable service interface specifications (DOCSIS) bonded group, and utilizing quality of service capabilities of an edge device, such as a cable modem termination system (CMTS) or an edge quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) device, to buffer and schedule IP packets, which carry the VBR encoded video streams, so that packets are not dropped during periods of congestion. Utilizing the quality of service capabilities of an edge device makes it possible to statistically multiplex VBR encoded video streams in a narrowcast application such as Video on Demand (VOD) or Switched Digital Video (SDV) while eliminating the need for process intensive transrating/transcoding operations.

Abstract: A time domain duplex cable system includes a mechanism to change the communication direction of spectrum used in a cable plant including a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS), a Fiber Node and a plurality of cable modems in communication with the CMTS via the Fiber Node. Active devices, e.g., directional amplifiers switch the communication direction of the cable plant in response to timing information received from the CMTS. To avoid collisions of downstream and upstream packets, a guard time is determined and used in connection with generating the timing information. In one embodiment, the timing information is transmitted in one or more Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) Media Access Protocol (MAP) messages transmitted by the CMTS towards the cable modems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, upstream transmission throughput in a cable network is markedly increased by moving up the US/DS frequency split by approximately an order of magnitude to a few hundred MHz. Additional transceivers (carriers) may be implemented to take advantage of the broader spectrum. A block of multiple upstream carriers (FIG. 2A) are associated to form a single logical upstream providing a high-bandwidth, in-order packet stream. The carriers have a common start time (704), pursuant to a single MAP message, and operation synchronously to transmit an upstream transmission frame (250). They may use OFDM or discrete carriers. A convergence layer (350) assembles the data from all of the upstream channels (320,322,324) for presentation to the MAC layer logic (308,310) as a single, serial, high-speed transmission from the CM.

Abstract: In one example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) sends first bandwidth allocation messages to a first upstream transmit interface on a cable modem and send second bandwidth allocation messages to a second upstream transmit interface on the cable modem. The bandwidth allocation messages indicate transmit windows for the cable modem to range over the interfaces. The transmit windows included in the first bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the second upstream transmit interface, and the transmit windows included in the second bandwidth allocation messages are spaced based on receipt of ranging requests from the first upstream transmit interface.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for managing traffic flow for transport over a plurality of communication channels of a shared access cable network. According to various embodiments, one or more devices of the cable network (such as, for example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)), may be operable to implement at least a portion of the traffic flow management techniques. In at least one embodiment, one or more aspects of the traffic flow management techniques disclosed herein may be used for performing real-time shaping of traffic flows across multiple different channels of a DOCSIS channel bonding group. In some embodiments, various different traffic shaping and/or traffic scheduling techniques may be employed (e.g., in DOCSIS 3.0 compatible cable networks) to reduce and/or mitigate issues which, for example, may arise as a result of an inability to represent traffic schedulers as tree-based hierarchies.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for managing traffic flow for transport over a plurality of communication channels of a shared access cable network. According to various embodiments, one or more devices of the cable network (such as, for example, a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)), may be operable to implement at least a portion of the traffic flow management techniques. In at least one embodiment, one or more aspects of the traffic flow management techniques disclosed herein may be used for performing real-time shaping of traffic flows across multiple different channels of a DOCSIS channel bonding group. In some embodiments, various different traffic shaping and/or traffic scheduling techniques may be employed (e.g., in DOCSIS 3.0 compatible cable networks) to reduce and/or mitigate issues which, for example, may arise as a result of an inability to represent traffic schedulers as tree-based hierarchies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, upstream transmission throughput in a cable network is markedly increased by moving up the US/DS frequency split by approximately an order of magnitude to a few hundred MHz. Additional transceivers (carriers) may be implemented to take advantage of the broader spectrum. A block of multiple upstream carriers (FIG. 2A) are associated to form a single logical upstream providing a high-bandwidth, in-order packet stream. The carriers have a common start time (704), pursuant to a single MAP message, and operation synchronously to transmit an upstream transmission frame (250). They may use OFDM or discrete carriers. A convergence layer (350) assembles the data from all of the upstream channels (320,322,324) for presentation to the MAC layer logic (308,310) as a single, serial, high-speed transmission from the CM.