Abstract: A novel method of handling network traffic for cable service flows in a distributed cable system is presented. Such a cable systems use remote distribution nodes in the fields to handle RF communications with cable modems in a distributed fashion. A packet engine is configured to assign a logical interface to each cable service flow in the cable system. Each logical interface in the packet engine is uniquely identifiable by a compound identifier that includes the identifier of the corresponding service flow and the identifier of the remote distribution node. Each service flow is assigned a class of service (CoS) at the packet engine and guarantee a certain level of quality of service (QoS). In some embodiments, each cable service flow is assigned a CoS priority number. For each possible CoS priority number, the packet engine is configured to provide certain resources at certain quality level, i.e., certain level of QoS.

Abstract: A novel method of operating a Distributed Cable Modem Termination System is provided. Each branch CMTS node in a distributed CMTS supports a complete CMTS system and with full-spectrum ports. One or more MAC domains are defined at each branch CMTS node. A MAC domain defined at a branch CMTS node includes only service flows of the CMs that are connected to the branch CMTS node. Identifiers of service flows coming from a branch CMTS node are always unique, i.e., two different service flows of the branch CMTS would always have different SIDs, even if they belong to different MAC domains. On the other hand, service flows belonging to different branch CMTS nodes are free to reuse the same identifiers.

Abstract: A novel method for provisioning network services for a cable system is provided. The method provides a configuration command interpreter/compiler that receives configuration commands of the cable system and generates configuration commands understood by the actual physical devices implementing the cable system. The interpreter transforms the configuration commands of the cable system into the configuration commands of the actual physical devices based on a set of normalized data models describing the cable system. The normalized data models are applicable to the cable system regardless of the actual devices implementing the cable system. The normalized data models are specified using normalized parameters that are generally applicable to different types devices that can be used to implement the cable system.

Abstract: A novel method of handling network traffic for cable service flows in a distributed cable system is presented. Such a cable systems use remote distribution nodes in the fields to handle RF communications with cable modems in a distributed fashion. A packet engine is configured to assign a logical interface to each cable service flow in the cable system. Each logical interface in the packet engine is uniquely identifiable by a compound identifier that includes the identifier of the corresponding service flow and the identifier of the remote distribution node. Upon receiving upstream data packet from a particular cable service flow, the remote distribution node applies a set of tags or labels to the data packet identifying the data packet as being from the particular cable service flow. The remote distribution node then forwards the tagged packet toward the packet engine, where the tags/labels are used to direct the packet toward the corresponding logical interface of the particular cable service flow.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for dynamically creating a service flow for an Ethernet node (EN) in a distributed cable management system that includes a cable headend and several in-the-field ENs for connecting several service nodes to the headend. For a particular device of a particular service node, the method receives a request to create a set of parameters for a service flow that is to be dynamically created. In some embodiments, the received request is in response to a request for a phone call that is to have a quality of service (QoS) guarantee and the service flow is for a PacketCable (PC) connection session. For the service-flow parameter request, the method identifies the EN that connects to the particular service node from a group of several EN that the method manages.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for dynamically creating a service flow for an Ethernet node (EN) in a distributed cable management system that includes a cable headend and several in-the-field ENs for connecting several service nodes to the headend. For a particular device of a particular service node, the method receives a request for a Packet Cable Multi-Media (PCMM) connection session that is to have a quality of service (QoS) guarantee. For the request, the method identifies the EN that connects to the particular service node from a group of several EN that the method manages. The method then forwards a set of authorized dynamic QoS (DQoS) parameters to the identified EN, so that the identified EN can use the forwarded DQoS parameter set to create a service flow for the particular device. In some embodiments, the identified EN creates two service flows for the two different directions of traffic associated with the particular device at the particular service node.

Abstract: A novel method of handling network traffic for cable service flows in a distributed cable system is presented. Such a cable systems use remote distribution nodes in the fields to handle RF communications with cable modems in a distributed fashion. A packet engine is configured to assign a logical interface to each cable service flow in the cable system. Each logical interface in the packet engine is uniquely identifiable by a compound identifier that includes the identifier of the corresponding service flow and the identifier of the remote distribution node. The packet engine is configurable to selectively provide L3 level routing or L2 level switching/bridging between different logical interfaces. In some embodiments, the controller selects between configuring the packet engine to perform L3 routing or configuring the packet engine to perform L2 bridging based on whether the packet engine support unnumbered interfaces and integrated routing and bridging (IRB).

Abstract: A novel method of handling network traffic for cable service flows in a distributed cable system is presented. Such a cable systems use remote distribution nodes in the fields to handle RF communications with cable modems in a distributed fashion. A packet engine is configured to assign a logical interface to each cable service flow in the cable system. Each logical interface in the packet engine is uniquely identifiable by a compound identifier that includes the identifier of the corresponding service flow and the identifier of the remote distribution node. Each service flow is assigned a class of service (CoS) at the packet engine and guarantee a certain level of quality of service (QoS). In some embodiments, each cable service flow is assigned a CoS priority number. For each possible CoS priority number, the packet engine is configured to provide certain resources at certain quality level, i.e., certain level of QoS.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a new device or service can be treated as an abstraction, allowing a model to be created which mimics operation of the device or service, but which does not physically exist. A communication system may then take physical assets that are distributed around a network, such as circuit packs with ports on them, and virtually plug them into a shelf that does not physically exist. A legacy system preferably continues to function as it always has and the abstraction mediates between the legacy operations support systems, the virtual machine and the physical reality. This then allows for the continued use of existing operation systems to manage new network architectures with services different from those originally contemplated by the legacy operations support systems.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a new device or service can be treated as an abstraction, allowing a model to be created which mimics operation of the device or service, but which does not physically exist. A communication system may then take physical assets that are distributed around a network, such as circuit packs with ports on them, and virtually plug them into a shelf that does not physically exist. A legacy system preferably continues to function as it always has and the abstraction mediates between the legacy operations support systems, the virtual machine and the physical reality. This then allows for the continued use of existing operation systems to manage new network architectures with services different from those originally contemplated by the legacy operations support systems.