Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing security and features during cable modem configuration. According to various embodiments, a cable network head end is configured to ensure that a cable modem subscriber registers with its assigned configuration profile. Techniques for verifying parameters in a received configuration profile, enhancing authentication, preventing access to provisioning servers, securing communications, and enhancing feature sets are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring service groups in a cable network is provided. A method may comprise identifying a primary downstream channel in a cable network and identifying a plurality of fiber nodes fed by the primary downstream channel. For each fiber node identified, the method may comprise identifying a set of downstream channels communicating with the fiber node. If duplicate sets are identified, duplicate sets of downstream channels may be eliminated and a downstream service group may be associated with each of the remaining sets of downstream channels. In an example embodiment, at least one Media Access Control (MAC) domain is automatically selected to correspond to the identified service groups.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for facilitating communications between a network node and a Head End of an access network. The access network includes a plurality of nodes which communicate with the Head End via at least one upstream channel and at least one downstream channel. The Head End is configured to monitor channel conditions on selected channels of the access network. The Head End is also configured to modify or change the modulation profile used on a selected channel in response to detecting a change in conditions on that particular channel. If the Head End detects that the channel conditions have deteriorated, the Head End may change the modulation profile on the selected channel to one which is better suited for transmitting data on the channel given the current channel conditions. If the Head End detects that the channel conditions have improved, the Head End may change the modulation profile on the selected channel to one which provides for faster data transmission on the selected channel.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for determining a carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) value for a selected channel of an access network. A background noise level on the selected channel is measured during a first time interval during which none of the network nodes are transmitting signals on the selected channel. A first signal strength on the selected channel is also measured during a second time interval during which a first network node is transmitting at least one signal on the selected channel. A CNR value for the selected channel may then be calculated using the measured background noise level information and the measured first signal strength information. According to a specific implementation, the calculation of the CNR value for the selected channel is not based upon an Error Vector Magnitude value associated with the signal transmitted from the first network node.