Abstract: A scaleable digital broadband network capable of delivering broadcast digital video data, on-demand digital video data, video and audio telephony, and data originating or emanating with an end user personal computer, e.g. Internet data, is disclosed. The network of the present invention is partitioned into a service applications content management subsystem, a delivery network subsystem coupled to the applications management subsystem, and a network management subsystem coupled to the delivery network subsystem. The present invention permits the service applications content management subsystem to request delivery network resource devices for the manipulation, formatting, or any other necessary preparation of the deliverable data in the form of generic functional blocks. The service applications content management subsystem does not need to understand what actual devices are used to provide the requested functionality.

Abstract: A central control system is provided for broadband communication terminals. A message source generates control information adapted to provide different functionality to different broadband communication terminals or populations of such terminals. At least one transmitter is adapted to transmit control information generated by the message source to the terminals on different control channels. The message source provides control channel configuration messages targeted to different terminal populations or to individual terminals. The control channel configuration messages designate a particular control channel from which the targeted terminal population or individual terminal should thereafter acquire the control information required to control the functionality of the respective terminal(s).