Abstract: A system, method, and computer-accessible medium are disclosed for identifying in-line synchronization instructions in binary program code. One or more executable segments of the binary program code may be scanned to identify one or more potential in-line synchronization instructions. For each potential in-line synchronization instruction, it may be determined whether neighboring potential instructions are valid instructions. For each potential in-line synchronization instruction, it may be determined that the potential in-line synchronization instruction is a valid in-line synchronization instruction if the neighboring potential instructions are valid instructions.

Abstract: A network device communicates in a cable network. The network device has a port to allow the device to communicate on a cable network. The network device also has a processor to send a message indicating that the device is assuming a dormant state. The processor then assumes a dormant state for the device, releasing the service identifiers and service flows associated with that device for use in the cable network.

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 system, method, and computer-accessible medium for logging and replaying asynchronous events are disclosed. One or more asynchronous events occurring during execution of a first instance of a computer program are logged. In logging the asynchronous events, a respective location in the execution of the first instance at which each of the one or more asynchronous events occurs is determined. A respective synchronous event preceding each asynchronous event is also determined. The asynchronous events are replayed during execution of a second instance of the computer program. In replaying each asynchronous event, the second instance is instrumented at the respective location during the execution of the second instance after detecting the preceding synchronous event.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-accessible medium are disclosed for efficient generation of application snapshots. Execution of an application is stopped, wherein a plurality of memory pages are accessible to the application. By altering page permissions of the plurality of memory pages, a state of the plurality of memory pages is preserved while the execution of the application is stopped. The execution of the application may be restarted after the state of the plurality of memory pages has been preserved. The state of the plurality of memory pages may be captured after the execution of the application has been restarted.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-accessible medium for modifying user memory from an arbitrary kernel state are disclosed. The kernel may generate a modification to the context of the process. Subsequently, the kernel may pass control to the process in user mode, and further, the process may pass control from the user mode to the kernel in response to the modification of the context of the process. The kernel may then modify the process memory from kernel mode.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for detecting or locating a viable data carrier in a downstream channel by a cable modem. Potential channels for data carriers can be eliminated quickly by going through a “screening” process, i.e., the first constellation diagram match, thereby preventing those potential channels from going through a significantly more time-consuming second constellation match. The determination of whether the signal in the potential channel is modulated according to the first particular modulation scheme is done rapidly and only potential channels containing a signal likely to be modulated according to the second particular modulation scheme are examined for the second determination step.

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.

Abstract: A system for testing a cable network during normal operation interleaves test signals with live data traffic. Installed cable modems are used to generate the test signals. During live communication, such modems send upstream data at allotted time periods. Periodically, there are time slots when no modem is transmitting on the network. During these times, specific modems may be directed to transmit specific test signals. A controller such as a cable modem termination system directs specific modems to transmit signals at defined frequencies and powers during specific time slots. In this manner, the system can monitor the frequency response of the cable network at various locations, and thereby determine “on-the-fly” when maintenance or modification is required.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are disclosed for performing diagnostic tests of a communication link between a headend and a cable modem without having to assign an IP address to the cable modem. The diagnostic tests are performed at the MAC layer and test the state of the hardware between and including the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a selected cable modem. By doing so, a network operator is able to more easily focus in on a potential problem in cable RF/MAC connectivity between the two components by first eliminating (or identifying) a problem with hardware before focusing on problem-solving at the software level, typically at the Network layer, at which point the cable modem is assigned an IP address.

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 technique is disclosed for selectively adjusting the power and/or frequency of cable modems without relying solely on the most recent measurement of these values to determine whether a change is necessary. Rather, it considers multiple recent measurements and from these makes its assessment. In one approach, the technique employs an average of the recent measurements to determine whether a change in power or frequency is necessary. There are actually at least three determinations that can make use of multiple recent measurements. These include (1) determining whether the signals are fluctuating to an extent that requires a special adjustment technique, (2) determining whether an adjustment is necessary (using the special technique), and (3) determining how large of an adjustment is necessary.

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: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products are disclosed for analyzing and recovering from severe to catastrophic faults in a computer system. When a fault that cannot be handled by the computer system's normal fault handling processes, a shadow mode created by a fault handling virtual machine is invoked. The fault handling virtual machine executes only when the normally nonrecoverable fault is encountered and executes as a triangulated or shadow mode on the system. Once shadow mode is invoked, fault context data is collected on the system and used to analyze and recover from the fault. More specifically, one or more post-fault stable states are constructed by the fault handling virtual machine. These stable states are used to bring the computer system back to a normal operating state in which the component or action causing the initial nonrecoverable fault is avoided. Persistent faults may be encountered while the virtual machine is attempting to recover from the initial fault.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are disclosed for performing diagnostic tests of a communication link between a headend and a cable modem without having to assign an IP address to the cable modem. The diagnostic tests are performed at the MAC layer and test the state of the hardware between and including the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a selected cable modem. By doing so, a network operator is able to more easily focus in on a potential problem in cable RF/MAC connectivity between the two components by first eliminating (or identifying) a problem with hardware before focusing on problem-solving at the software level, typically at the Network layer, at which point the cable modem is assigned an IP address. A network command is received from a network operator causing the CMTS to place a service identifier corresponding to a cable modem in possible need of diagnosing into a poll list.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for detecting or locating a viable data carrier in a downstream channel by a cable modem. When a cable modem is first installed by a cable operator or powered up by a user, it must first locate or tune in to the correct downstream channel in order to receive data from the headend of the cable plant. This time-consuming process can be shortened by performing two matches between the selected, potential downstream data carrier and constellation diagrams of certain modulation schemes. Through this method, potential channels for data carriers can be eliminated quickly by going through a “screening” process (the first constellation diagram match) thereby preventing those potential channels from going through a significantly more time-consuming second constellation match. The process begins with selecting a potential frequency channel from the downstream band.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method apparatus for performing periodic ranging with a cable modem. It is determined whether an actual power level of the cable modem requires adjustment to a desired power level and it is indicated to the cable modem that it should adjust the actual power level to an adjusted power level that differs from the actual power level of the cable modem by less than or equal to a first dynamic range associated with the cable modem. In one extension of this method, the first dynamic range represents a difference between a modem dynamic range of the actual power level output by the cable modem and a head end dynamic range for recognizing the actual power level output by the cable modem.

Abstract: A method for dynamically storing network device identification information to allow for the easy addition of new fields as well as simple modification of identification fields. This method involves receiving the device identification information, determining the type and length of the device identification information, choosing one or more symbols to represent the type and length of the identification information, and storing the symbols as well as the identification information in a memory store associated with the device. Choosing the symbols may be accomplished by either choosing a single symbol to represent both the type and length of the identification information, or by utilizing a first symbol which represents the type of the information and a second symbol which represents the length. An extension address symbol may be used if it is not possible to find a symbol to represent the type and length of the identification information.

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.