Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling load balancing of modems may include receiving an indication of impairment of a channel, placing modems using the impaired channel into a partial service mode and removing the impaired channel from a list of channels available for load balancing, monitoring the quality of the impaired channel, and, responsive to detection of acceptable quality on the impaired channel, removing the modems from partial service mode and adding the channel back to the list of channels available for load balancing. Another method includes, but is not limited to, receiving an indication of a partial service mode for a modem, incrementing a partial service mode counter for a channel associated with the partial service mode indication, computing a partial service mode metric based in part upon the partial service mode counter, and responsive to a determination that the partial service mode metric meets a threshold, determining an allocation of modems to channels.

Abstract: A method for selection of an initialization technique and protocol for a communications device is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, selecting a primary initialization technique from a set list of initialization techniques, implementing the primary initialization technique to initialize and move the communications device, and determining if the communications device has been initialized and moved. If the communications device has not been initialized and moved upon implementing the primary initialization technique, an additional initialization technique is selected from the set list of initialization techniques and implemented to initialize and move the communications device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling load balancing of modems may include receiving an indication of impairment of a channel, placing modems using the impaired channel into a partial service mode and removing the impaired channel from a list of channels available for load balancing, monitoring the quality of the impaired channel, and, responsive to detection of acceptable quality on the impaired channel, removing the modems from partial service mode and adding the channel back to the list of channels available for load balancing. Another method includes, but is not limited to, receiving an indication of a partial service mode for a modem, incrementing a partial service mode counter for a channel associated with the partial service mode indication, computing a partial service mode metric based in part upon the partial service mode counter, and responsive to a determination that the partial service mode metric meets a threshold, determining an allocation of modems to channels.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling load balancing of modems may include receiving an indication of impairment of a channel, placing modems using the impaired channel into a partial service mode and removing the impaired channel from a list of channels available for load balancing, monitoring the quality of the impaired channel, and, responsive to detection of acceptable quality on the impaired channel, removing the modems from partial service mode and adding the channel back to the list of channels available for load balancing. Another method includes, but is not limited to, receiving an indication of a partial service mode for a modem, incrementing a partial service mode counter for a channel associated with the partial service mode indication, computing a partial service mode metric based in part upon the partial service mode counter, and responsive to a determination that the partial service mode metric meets a threshold, determining an allocation of modems to channels.

Abstract: A method and computing device for assessing the integrity of receivers in a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to improve load balancing. The method configures a load balancing manager to move registered modems between the receivers, where each receiver is tuned to a frequency. The method obtains a signal quality measurement for each receiver, and, for each receiver, evaluates the signal quality measurement, and identifies the receiver as an impaired receiver when the frequency to which the receiver is tuned is identified by the evaluating as an impaired frequency. The method attempts to repair each impaired receiver, and notifies the load balancing manager to not allow moving the registered modems to each impaired receiver that is not repairable, and to allow moving the registered modems to each receiver that transitions from impaired to unimpaired.

Abstract: A method and computing device for transitioning into and out of partial service mode to make bandwidth available for other resources. A trigger value is set for a channel, where a first and second cable modem have registered to use the channel, and where the first cable modem is a bonded channel modem that utilizes a bonding group that includes the channel and at least one other channel. A modulation mode for the channel is monitored. The channel is transitioned from full service mode to partial service mode when the channel is in full service mode and monitoring detects that the modulation mode is less than or equal to the trigger value. The channel is transitioned from partial service mode to full service mode when the channel is in partial service mode and the modulation mode for the channel is greater than the trigger value.

Abstract: A method and computing device for maintaining the stability of the upstream channel quality measurements in an upstream channel bonded system. The method configures a cable modem, that communicates using bonded channels, to periodically exchange ranging messages on the bonded channels, where a bonded channel ranging interval determines a period for the exchange. The method also monitors a signal quality metric for a monitored channel of the bonded channels by periodically retrieving a quality measurement for the monitored channel, a period between each retrieval determined by a channel quality monitoring interval. The method sends an invite ranging message to the cable modem before retrieval of the quality measurement for the monitored channel, and retrieves the quality measurement for the monitored channel. The method bases the signal quality metric for the monitored channel on the quality measurement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for controlling load balancing of modems may include receiving an indication of impairment of a channel, placing modems using the impaired channel into a partial service mode and removing the impaired channel from a list of channels available for load balancing, monitoring the quality of the impaired channel, and, responsive to detection of acceptable quality on the impaired channel, removing the modems from partial service mode and adding the channel back to the list of channels available for load balancing. Another method includes, but is not limited to, receiving an indication of a partial service mode for a modem, incrementing a partial service mode counter for a channel associated with the partial service mode indication, computing a partial service mode metric based in part upon the partial service mode counter, and responsive to a determination that the partial service mode metric meets a threshold, determining an allocation of modems to channels.

Abstract: A method and computing device for assessing the integrity of receivers in a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to improve load balancing. The method configures a load balancing manager to move registered modems between the receivers, where each receiver is tuned to a frequency. The method obtains a signal quality measurement for each receiver, and, for each receiver, evaluates the signal quality measurement, and identifies the receiver as an impaired receiver when the frequency to which the receiver is tuned is identified by the evaluating as an impaired frequency. The method attempts to repair each impaired receiver, and notifies the load balancing manager to not allow moving the registered modems to each impaired receiver that is not repairable, and to allow moving the registered modems to each receiver that transitions from impaired to unimpaired.

Abstract: A method and computing device for maintaining the stability of the upstream channel quality measurements in an upstream channel bonded system. The method configures a cable modem, that communicates using bonded channels, to periodically exchange ranging messages on the bonded channels, where a bonded channel ranging interval determines a period for the exchange. The method also monitors a signal quality metric for a monitored channel of the bonded channels by periodically retrieving a quality measurement for the monitored channel, a period between each retrieval determined by a channel quality monitoring interval. The method sends an invite ranging message to the cable modem before retrieval of the quality measurement for the monitored channel, and retrieves the quality measurement for the monitored channel. The method bases the signal quality metric for the monitored channel on the quality measurement.

Abstract: A method and computing device receives data packets on an upstream bonding group in full service mode, where the upstream bonding group includes a set of channels and each channel has a transmission quality. The method detects that a select channel in the set of channels is impaired when the transmission quality of the select channel is below a threshold value, and transitions the receiving of the data packets from full service mode to partial service mode by disabling data grant scheduling on the select channel. The method monitors the select channel using a spectrum management method while the receiving of the data packets is in partial service mode. The method transitions the receiving of the data packets from partial service mode to full service mode when a result from the spectrum management method indicates that the select channel can transmit data packets error free.

Abstract: A method and computing device for transitioning into and out of partial service mode to make bandwidth available for other resources. A trigger value is set for a channel, where a first and second cable modem have registered to use the channel, and where the first cable modem is a bonded channel modem that utilizes a bonding group that includes the channel and at least one other channel. A modulation mode for the channel is monitored. The channel is transitioned from full service mode to partial service mode when the channel is in full service mode and monitoring detects that the modulation mode is less than or equal to the trigger value. The channel is transitioned from partial service mode to full service mode when the channel is in partial service mode and the modulation mode for the channel is greater than the trigger value.

Abstract: A method and computing device receives data packets on an upstream bonding group in full service mode, where the upstream bonding group includes a set of channels and each channel has a transmission quality. The method detects that a select channel in the set of channels is impaired when the transmission quality of the select channel is below a threshold value, and transitions the receiving of the data packets from full service mode to partial service mode by disabling data grant scheduling on the select channel. The method monitors the select channel using a spectrum management method while the receiving of the data packets is in partial service mode. The method transitions the receiving of the data packets from partial service mode to full service mode when a result from the spectrum management method indicates that the select channel can transmit data packets error free.

Abstract: A network element is registered on a physical channel and a first logical channel. The network controller receives ranging messages from which network element parameters associated with the network element are determined, and the network determines if the network element is better suited for a different logical channel on the network. The network controller provides an upstream channel change override signal to the network element, instructing the network element to re-register to another logical channel.

Abstract: A spare receiver in a CMTS is used to determine the connectivity status of the receivers of the CMTS in the network. Load balancing and Spectrum Groups may also be determined according to the connectivity status of the receivers. The spare receiver is configured to have the communication protocols of a first selected receiver of the CMTS and is switched to be connected to the signal lines of another receiver of the CMTS. A transmitter sends a request for a response to a modem registered with the first receiver. If the spare receiver, which is configured to have the same communication protocols as the first receiver of the CMTS, receives the response from the modem, the other receiver under test is determined to be physically wired with the first receiver. The other receiver is also determined to be in the same Load Balancing Group and the same Spectrum Group as the first receiver of the CMTS.

Abstract: A network element is identified from among a plurality of network elements to be used to test parameters of a network. The use of one network element to test the network provides more reliable results than using random communications from a plurality of network elements. The test network element is identified using testing pool definitions which may be provided by a network operator. The testing procedure using the single network element may use multiple pings to reduce the affect of transient responses on the network.

Abstract: A method for selection of an initialization technique and protocol for a communications device is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, selecting a primary initialization technique from a set list of initialization techniques, implementing the primary initialization technique to initialize and move the communications device, and determining if the communications device has been initialized and moved. If the communications device has not been initialized and moved upon implementing the primary initialization technique, an additional initialization technique is selected from the set list of initialization techniques and implemented to initialize and move the communications device.

Abstract: A spare receiver in a CMTS is used to prevent loss of service to subscribers during a failure of a receiver. The beginning of a mass modem de-registration event is detected by the operator or automatically by the CMTS. Upon detection of the beginning of the mass modem de-registration event, the spare receiver matrices to the troubled receiver and is configured according the communication parameters of the troubled receiver. The spare receiver sends communications to one or modems normally registered with the troubled receiver to determine if the mass de-registration event is the result of a failed receiver or a connection problem. In the event of a failed receiver, the spare receiver stays matriced with the troubled receiver and passes communications to/from from modems normally registered with it. The cable operator may swap out the troubled receiver and repair the system without significant loss of service to the subscribers.

Abstract: A spare receiver in a CMTS is used to determine the RF connectivity status of the receivers of a Load Balancing Group or Spectrum Group in the CMTS in the network. The spare receiver is connected to a receiver of the Load Balancing Group or Spectrum Group which does not have modems registered. The spare receiver is also configured to have the communication protocols of another selected receiver of the Load Balancing Group or Spectrum Group which does have modems registered. A transmitter sends a request for a response to a modem registered with the selected receiver. If the spare receiver, which is configured to have the same communication protocols as the selected receiver, receives the response from the modem, the unregistered receiver under test is determined to have sufficient RF connectivity to be included in Load Balancing operations. Each unregistered receiver in the Load Balancing Group or Spectrum Group is analyzed in the same manner.

Abstract: A network element is identified from among a plurality of network elements to be used to test parameters of a network. The use of one network element to test the network provides more reliable results than using random communications from a plurality of network elements. The test network element is identified using testing pool definitions which may be provided by a network operator. The testing procedure using the single network element may use multiple pings to reduce the affect of transient responses on the network.