Distributed CPE Configuration System Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for configuring customer premises equipment (CPE) in large-scale cable modem networks are inefficient, prone to errors, and not scalable, particularly when handling simultaneous requests or equipment failures, and do not support dynamic changes in network services or security mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A distributed configuration system where a central unit provides configuration context information to distributed components, which generate and update configuration parameter values based on requests, ensuring validity and scalability, and automatically propagates updates to maintain consistency across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual configuration is used for CPE devices, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but the process becomes expensive, non-scalable and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The CPE device performs self-configuration by automatically receiving configuration parameters from the provisioning server through DHCP and TFTP protocols, eliminating the need for manual administrator intervention while maintaining accuracy through automated validation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Configuration parameters are pre-prepared and stored on the provisioning server before the CPE device needs them, allowing the device to quickly download and apply configurations without waiting for manual administrator actions during the configuration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single provisioning server is used at the headend, then centralized control is maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to failures and cannot handle simultaneous configuration requests efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidsystem robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning system is segmented into multiple independent provisioning servers distributed across the network, each capable of handling configuration requests independently. This segmentation maintains centralized control through coordination protocols while improving reliability through redundancy and load distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as server selection and configuration distribution based on network conditions and server availability, allowing seamless failover and load balancing to maintain both simplicity and robustness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If configuration parameters are dynamically generated for each CPE device, then service customization is improved, but the provisioning server becomes a bottleneck during simultaneous requests

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice customizationVSAvoidrequest handling capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Template-based configuration parameters are pre-generated and stored on the provisioning server for common service scenarios. When a CPE device requests configuration, the server matches the device to appropriate pre-prepared templates, enabling rapid customization without generating configurations from scratch for each request

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The provisioning server segments configuration generation into reusable template components that can be independently selected and combined. This segmentation allows parallel processing of configuration requests by different server instances, increasing overall request handling capacity while maintaining service customization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the CMTS goes offline, then network maintenance is enabled, but all terminated cable modems must undergo full configuration process generating considerable load on the provisioning server

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork maintenance capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration parameters are pre-downloaded and cached in the cable modems before the CMTS goes offline for maintenance. This preliminary action ensures that when the CMTS returns, modems can quickly apply cached configurations without generating a surge of configuration requests that would overload the provisioning server

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7600003B1Method and apparatus for dynamically configuring customer premises network equipment

Publication Date: 2009.10.06 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Techniques for configuring a customer premises equipment connected to a network of a network service provider include receiving configuration information at a distributed component on the network from a central unit on the network. The distributed component also receives from the customer premises equipment a request for values of configuration parameters that determine network properties for the customer premises equipment. The distributed component generates a set of values for the configuration parameters based on the request and the configuration information received from the central unit. The set of values are sent from the distributed component to the customer premises equipment. A system using these techniques is scalable with increasing numbers of customer premises equipments simultaneously requesting values for configuration parameters and is robust in face of equipment failure at a distributed component or at the central unit or both.