Abstract: A method to assign a service flow classification for a client device that is performed at a network interface device includes accessing a configuration file having an interface mask, and correlating interface mask bit values with at least one port of the network interface. The network interface device associates the client device with the at least one port of the network interface device and assigns a service flow classification based on the interface mask bit values for an access request received by the network interface device from the client device. The network interface device then communicates with a virtual local area network mapping device using the service flow classification. The virtual local area network mapping device maps the service flow into a VLAN for the service flow of the client device.

Abstract: To enable fast startup of an audio/video receiver device and quick receipt of a first audio/video stream, is provided a method in an intermediate device in between a router device and the receiver device. The intermediate device snoops the communication between the audio/video receiver device and the router device to determine the protocol version of the router device to subscribe to a transmission of an audio/video stream and to determine that the receiver device is starting up. If the protocol version is a version not supporting Source Specific Multicast and the receiver device is booting, a message indicating the protocol version is transmitted to the receiver device during starting up of the receiver device so that the latter can switch to a protocol version supported by the IP multicast router device without further delay.

Abstract: A method to assign a service flow classification for a client device that is performed at a network interface device includes accessing a configuration file having an interface mask, and correlating interface mask bit values with at least one port of the network interface. The network interface device associates the client device with the at least one port of the network interface device and assigns a service flow classification based on the interface mask bit values for an access request received by the network interface device from the client device. The network interface device then communicates with a virtual local area network mapping device using the service flow classification. The virtual local area network mapping device maps the service flow into a VLAN for the service flow of the client device.

Abstract: To enable fast startup of an audio/video receiver device and quick receipt of a first audio/video stream, is provided a method in an intermediate device in between a router device and the receiver device. The intermediate device snoops the communication between the audio/video receiver device and the router device to determine the protocol version of the router device to subscribe to a transmission of an audio/video stream and to determine that the receiver device is starting up. If the protocol version is a version not supporting Source Specific Multicast and the receiver device is booting, a message indicating the protocol version is transmitted to the receiver device during starting up of the receiver device so that the latter can switch to a protocol version supported by the IP multicast router device without further delay.

Abstract: A cable modem for a network is provided. The cable modem comprises: a radio frequency resource manager unit for allocating a radio frequency resource to a plurality of cable modem terminal systems; and an interface manager unit for establishing radio frequency interfaces respectively with the plurality of cable modem terminal systems according to the radio frequency resource allocation of the radio frequency resource manager unit.

Abstract: Abstract: A cable modem for a network is provided. The cable modem comprises: a radio frequency resource manager unit for allocating a radio frequency resource to a plurality of cable modem terminal systems; and an interface manager unit for establishing radio frequency interfaces respectively with the plurality of cable modem terminal systems according to the radio frequency resource allocation of the radio frequency resource manager unit.