Abstract: A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem's service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem's registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates an improved cable data switching unit that provides a fail-over system whereby one line card can protect a plurality of US (upstream) or DS (downstream) channel line cards, providing N+1 protection, with one linecard being able to protect N number of working linecards. When a failure is detected in a working linecard, the signals being routed by the failing linecards are re-routed seamlessly to a protect linecard. This disclosure provides for data to be passively routed, providing for data flow even if power is lost.

Abstract: A dynamic channel change technique is disclosed which may be implemented between nodes and a Head End of an access network. Initially a network device may communicate with the Head End via a first downstream channel and a first upstream channel. When the network device receives a dynamic channel change request which includes instructions for the network device to switch to a second downstream channel, the network device may respond by switching from the first downstream channel to the second downstream channel. Thereafter, the network device may communicate with the Head End via the second downstream channel and first upstream channel. Further, according to a specific embodiment, the dynamic channel change request may also include an upstream channel change request for causing the network device to switch from a first upstream channel to a second upstream channel.

Abstract: A dynamic channel change technique is disclosed which may be implemented between nodes and a Head End of an access network. Initially a network device may communicate with the Head End via a first downstream channel and a first upstream channel. When the network device receives a dynamic channel change request which includes instructions for the network device to switch to a second downstream channel, the network device may respond by switching from the first downstream channel to the second downstream channel. Thereafter, the network device may communicate with the Head End via the second downstream channel and first upstream channel. Further, according to a specific embodiment, the dynamic channel change request may also include an upstream channel change request for causing the network device to switch from a first upstream channel to a second upstream channel.

Abstract: A CMTS redundancy technique requires at least two CMTS interfaces (e.g., line cards) on one or more CMTS chassis at the head end of a cable network. One of the CMTSs serves as a backup or “protecting” CMTS. When another CMTS (a “working” CMTS) becomes unavailable to service its group of cable modems, the protecting CMTS takes over service to those cable modems. The SWITCHOVER takes place transparently (or nearly transparently) to the cable modems. The protecting CMTS provides service on the same downstream channel as used by the working CMTS. The cable modems need not modify any settings pursuant to their cable modem communication protocol (e.g., DOCSIS ranging). This transparency to the cable modems is realized by keeping the working and protecting CMTSs in synchronization regarding service parameters for the cable modems. In other words, the protecting CMTS maintains a list of current parameters for allowing service to the cable modems.

Abstract: A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem's service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem's registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.

Abstract: A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem's service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem's registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection protocol for fault recovery, such as a ring wrap, for a network, such as a two line bi-directional ring network. An embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a ring topology network in which a node in the network can identify a problem with a connection between the node and a first neighbor. The present invention provides 1 protection protocol which simplifies the coordination required by the nodes in a ring network. The nodes do not need to maintain a topology map of the ring, identifying and locating each node on the ring, for effective protection. Additionally, independently operating ring networks can be merged and the protection protocol will appropriately remove a protection, such as a ring wrap, to allow the formation of a single ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection protocol for fault recovery, such as a ring wrap, for a network, such as a two line bi-directional ring network. An embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a ring topology network in which a node in the network can identify a problem with a connection between the node and a first neighbor. The present invention provides a protection protocol which simplifies the coordination required by the nodes in a ring network. The nodes do not need to maintain a topology map of the ring, identifying and locating each node on the ring, for effective protection. Additionally, independently operating ring networks can be merged and the protection protocol will appropriately remove a protection, such as a ring wrap, to allow the formation of a single ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection protocol for fault recovery, such as a ring wrap, for a network, such as a two line bidirectional ring network. An embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a ring topology network in which a node in the network can identify a problem with a connection between the node and a first neighbor. The present invention provides a protection protocol which simplifies the coordination required by the nodes in a ring network. The nodes do not need to maintain a topology map of the ring, identifying and locating each node on the ring, for effective protection. Additionally, independently operating ring networks can be merged and the protection protocol will appropriately remove a protection, such as a ring wrap, to allow the formation of a single ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection protocol for fault recovery, such as a ring wrap, for a network, such as a two line bi-directional ring network. An embodiment of the present invention works in conjunction with a ring topology network in which a node in the network can identify a problem with a connection between the node and a first neighbor. The present invention provides a protection protocol which simplifies the coordination required by the nodes in a ring network. The nodes do not need to maintain a topology map of the ring, identifying and locating each node on the ring, for effective protection. Additionally, independently operating ring networks can be merged and the protection protocol will appropriately remove a protection, such as a ring wrap, to allow the formation of a single ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packet switching using distributed address tables. A first table of station addresses and their associated switching device ports is maintained on a central node of a switching device. Entries in the first table are based on learning information associated with packets forwarded by the central node. A second table of station addresses and their associated switching device ports is maintained on a local node of the switching device. Entries in the second table are based on learning information associated with packets forwarded by the local node. The packets forwarded by the local node include packets not forwarded by the central node so that the first and second tables of station addresses are different from one another.

Abstract: A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem's service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem's registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.