Cable Modem Selective IP Connectivity Reestablishment

The patent segments the IP connectivity reestablishment process into individual steps (IP address acquisition, current date acquisition, configuration file download). The cable modem selectively executes only the necessary segments based on what data is still valid, rather than reinitializing all steps. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for necessary steps while skipping unnecessary ones to reduce reconnection time.

The patent applies partial action by having the cable modem perform only the subset of IP connectivity steps that are actually needed for reconnection. Instead of executing all steps (excessive action), the modem determines which steps are necessary and executes only those, thereby reducing reconnection time while maintaining sufficient reliability through selective execution of critical steps.

The patent segments the configuration reestablishment process into discrete steps that can be independently evaluated. The cable modem and CMTS work together to determine which segments (IP address, date, configuration file) need to be re-acquired and which can be retained. This segmentation reduces unnecessary server interactions while ensuring complete configuration for the steps that are actually executed.

The cable modem performs self-service by locally determining which configuration steps are still valid and which need reinitialization. Rather than forcing all modems to reinitialize all configuration steps (which causes server congestion), each modem autonomously evaluates its own state and selectively requests only the necessary configuration elements from the server, thereby reducing overall network server load.

The patent manages complexity by segmenting the connectivity management into distinct, well-defined steps. Each step (IP address acquisition, date acquisition, configuration file download) is a separate, standardized process. This segmentation makes the selective execution logic more manageable and easier to implement than a monolithic reinitialization approach, as the system only needs to track the state of individual segments rather than the entire configuration as one unit.

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the cable modem reports its desired connectivity steps to the CMTS, and the CMTS responds with authorization for each step. This structured feedback loop provides a clear protocol for managing the selective reestablishment process, reducing complexity by establishing explicit communication rules rather than requiring complex autonomous decision-making logic.