Abstract: A network includes a provider edge device with logic to encapsulate Ethernet frames received from customer equipment into Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) frames using Layer Two Tunneling Protocol. The provider edge device further includes logic to implement a virtual switch instance (VSI).

Abstract: Bandwidth is assigned to subscribers of a data network by applying logic of one or more network devices to sample bits of information communicated over a network communication medium to identify if there is a network congestion condition or an extremely lightly loaded condition. The maximum bandwidth assigned to a subscriber is below a normative maximum bandwidth assigned to the subscriber if the network is congested and the logic of the one or more network devices identifies the subscriber as a heavy bandwidth user. The maximum bandwidth assigned to a subscriber is above the normative maximum bandwidth if the network is extremely lightly loaded and the subscriber is a heavy bandwidth user.

Abstract: In a data system, such as a cable modem termination system, different-priority flows are scheduled to be routed to their logical destinations by factoring both the priority level and the time spent in queue. The time that each packet of each flow spends waiting for transmission is normalized such that the waiting times of all flows are equalized with respect to each other. A latency scaling parameter is calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decreasing cable installation times and cable installation faults is disclosed. The back panel of the CTMS has a light source, for example an LED associated with each connector on the back plane. When a circuit card is plugged into the front plane of the CMTS the card activates the light source on the back plane to indicate whether an active channel is connected to the connector and what type of channel the active channel is.

Abstract: Each packet of the present invention is assigned a priority level. The current data packet flow rate is detected. This data packet flow rate is quantized into at least one data rate level. The current buffer circuit depth is determined as is the priority associated with the current data packet. The probability that the current packet is either dropped or used is determined by using the current data packet service flow rate, the data packet priority, and the current buffer circuit depth.

Abstract: Each packet of the present invention is assigned a priority level. The current data packet flow rate is detected. This data packet flow rate is quantized into at least one data rate level. The current buffer circuit depth is determined as is the priority associated with the current data packet. The probability that the current packet is either dropped or used is determined by using the current data packet service flow rate, the data packet priority, and the current buffer circuit depth.

Abstract: In a cable data system, several frequency division multiplexed upstream data signals on an individual cable can be selectively routed to frequency-selective band pass filters using a relay matrix between the filters and the cable. By appropriately controlling the relays, the upstream information can be split out to as many different filters that might be required to recover the frequency division multiplexed information. Cabling installation to a cable modem termination system is simplified and maintenance costs are reduced by carrying multiple signals on one cable.

Abstract: A high level MAP scheduler directs upstream traffic from fiber nodes by controlling low-level MAP schedulers based on spectrum overlap of corresponding physical channels. Of the physical channels controlled by the high level scheduler, one may be configured for high-bandwidth transmission and others for low-bandwidth traffic. Thus, upstream traffic from multiple cable modems not being transmitted in a wide bandwidth spectrum can simultaneously share bandwidth within a physical channel that is capable of high bandwidth traffic, as long the spectrum used for one does not overlap spectrum used by another. This ability also enables instantaneous switching between high and low bandwidth modes without burst interval loss because each physical channel corresponds to a dedicated PHY receiver. Instead of reconfiguring a PHY for a different mode, one PHY can stop accepting upstream traffic while one configured for a different mode simultaneously starts.

Abstract: In a data system, such as a cable modem termination system, different-priority flows are scheduled to be routed to their logical destinations by factoring both the priority level and the time spent in queue. The time that each packet of each flow spends waiting for transmission is normalized such that the waiting times of all flows are equalized with respect to each other. A latency scaling parameter is calculated.

Abstract: A plurality of daisy-chained switching circuit cards are each coupled to a different active circuit card. Feed-through circuit cards are each coupled to spare circuit cards having substantially identical circuitry to the active circuit cards. The feed-through circuit cards are also daisy-chained with the switches on the switching circuit cards. The switching circuit cards can replace the feed-through circuit cards and the active circuit cards replace the spare circuit cards in order to vary the size of the spare groups (a group of spare circuit cards and active circuit cards) and also the quantity of the spare groups.

Abstract: Relays are set dynamically and automatically in response to subscriber bandwidth demands placed on HFC fiber nodes. Demand is periodically measured for each node served by a CMTS to generate information corresponding to that node's demands. This information is fed back to the CMTS, or a computing system, where it is synthesized with information corresponding to the usage demands of the other nodes. Control signals based on the synthesized information determine the relay settings, thus facilitating the steering of bandwidth to nodes serving subscribers that are collectively demanding higher usage levels than others.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing connection admission control (CAC) on a cable data system helps provide viable quality of service (QoS) capability on a cable data system. Cable data service is granted or denied to cable data service to said requesting subscriber based in part upon the determination of whether the available bandwidth is greater than, less than or equal to the bandwidth to be allocated to the requesting subscriber.

Abstract: In a cable data system, frequency division multiplexed upstream data traffic is first split for subsequent signal processing. In the course of performing an analog RF signal splitting operation, signal splitter output amplitude is decreased as an artifact of an RF signal splitter. A signal splitter indicator type that is used per signal splitter, provides an indication to the CMTS channel interface cards to control the amount of compensating gain required to restore the original signal to its original amplitude.

Abstract: A cable modern termination system (CMTS) having front and rear sides is disclosed. A rear panel receives a plurality of connector cards. At least one first connector card wherein each first connector card has a row of connectors. At least one second connector cards, wherein each second connector card has a row of connectors, wherein connectors on the first connector cards are staggered from connectors on the second connector cards when the connector cards are inserted into the rear panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing connection admission control (CAC) on a cable data system helps provide viable quality of service (QoS) capability on a cable data system. Cable data service is granted or denied to cable data service to said requesting subscriber based in part upon the determination of whether the available bandwidth is greater than, less than or equal to the bandwidth to be allocated to the requesting subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling traffic loading on a cable modem termination system helps provide viable quality of service (QoS) capability on a cable data system. Available data bandwidth on a particular channel is first determined, followed by a comparison of the amount of bandwidth requested by, or required by a new subscriber. If the bandwidth available on a particular channel is adequate, service can be provided on the channel, otherwise the new subscriber is assigned to a new channel to avoid data overload.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling traffic loading on links between a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a plurality of Internet Service Providers (ISP) in a cable data system is provided. First, a request for bandwidth on a cable data system link is received from a first ISP by a requesting subscriber. Next, the available bandwidth on said cable data system link is determined. The available bandwidth is compared to the bandwidth requested by, or for the ISP. Finally, cable data service is granted or denied based upon the data service to be granted to a new subscriber based upon the determination of whether the available bandwidth is greater than, less than or equal to the bandwidth to be allocated to the new subscriber.

Abstract: Active and spare circuit cards are each paired with switch cards. Each switch on the switch cards is daisy chained with prior and succeeding switches. A master controller senses a faulty circuit indication signal from each of the active circuit cards. When the faulty circuit indication signal indicates a fault on a particular active circuit card, the controller instructs the switch card that is paired with that circuit card to switch it out and switch in a spare circuit card.

Abstract: A method and system that allow subscribers to a cable Internet data service to use a Web browser and access to the Internet via their cable Internet data service to dynamically change their service level by communicating with the cable modem manager that manages their cable modem. An alternate method and system allow a content provider that has been contacted by a subscriber to dynamically implement new “on-demand” services flows for the subscriber. With both arrangements, the subscriber can begin employing the new service flows without reinitializing their cable modem or otherwise having their data service disrupted.

Abstract: In a cable data system that includes a cable modem termination system or CMTS, high-reliability is accomplished by reducing the time required to switch over traffic from a failed circuit to a back up circuit. Fault recovery time to switch over to a spare circuit is reduced by copying the operational parameters used in each of the active circuits into a spare circuit such that upon the failure of an active circuit, the spare circuit needs only to be instructed which set of operational parameters for a particular failed circuit to use. Clock counters that are continuously incremented in active circuits can be copied into a newly installed circuit by copying into a local register for the newly installed circuit, a future value of a clock counter.