Embedded Cable Modem MAC Address Provisioning Over PON

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The integration of DOCSIS traffic over a passive optical network (PON) is hindered by protocol and addressing differences between PON and DOCSIS, limiting the ability to use existing head end equipment and back office systems, especially when deploying Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) gateways, and existing provisioning methods do not fully support DOCSIS functions like configuration file processing and management interfaces.

Innovation Solution

The use of an embedded cable modem with a dedicated media access control (MAC) address and an associated IP stack enables traditional DOCSIS provisioning and management over a PON by providing identical configuration files to both a virtual cable modem and the embedded cable modem, allowing for the provisioning of an optical network unit (ONU) and supporting DOCSIS protocols like PacketCable and eRouter, while minimizing changes to current systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If EPON gateways are deployed as an overlay to migrate from HFC networks, then higher capacity broadband access is achieved, but integration with existing DOCSIS back office systems becomes difficult due to protocol and addressing differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroadband access capacityVSAvoidintegration with existing back office systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a virtual cable modem (vCM) as an intermediary layer between the EPON gateway and the existing DOCSIS back office systems. The vCM emulates the appearance and behavior of a traditional cable modem to DOCSIS provisioning servers, while the actual data traffic flows over EPON. This mediator enables seamless integration without requiring changes to existing back office infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual representation (copy) of a cable modem within the EPON gateway. This virtual cable modem replicates the MAC address, IP address, and configuration characteristics of physical cable modems, allowing the EPON system to be provisioned and managed using existing DOCSIS protocols and back office systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional DOCSIS provisioning methods are used over EPON, then existing back office systems can be utilized, but DOCSIS functions like configuration file processing and management interfaces are not fully supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutilization of existing back office systemsVSAvoidsupport for DOCSIS functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The virtual cable modem is designed to perform multiple DOCSIS functions simultaneously, including configuration file processing (TFTP/HTTP downloads), SNMP management, Telnet/SSH access, and other cable modem provisioning operations. This multi-functional design ensures that existing back office systems can fully manage EPON gateways using standard DOCSIS protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If HFC network traffic-carrying capacity is increased to support higher bandwidth services, then more high-bandwidth content can be delivered, but the HFC network becomes more strained and reaches capacity limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh-bandwidth content deliveryVSAvoidHFC network capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the broadband access network into two distinct parts: the access network (HFC) and the distribution network (EPON). By implementing EPON as an overlay, the patent creates a separate high-capacity fiber-based backbone that handles broadband traffic, while the HFC network continues to serve its traditional cable modem functions. This segmentation allows each network to operate at optimal capacity without straining the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10021000B2Provisioning in support of an embedded cable modem MAC address

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the provisioning of a device using an embedded cable modem media access control (MAC) address. An optical network unit (ONU) may include an embedded cable modem, wherein the embedded cable modem has a dedicated MAC address. Provisioning servers may provide identical configuration files to a virtual cable modem at an optical line termination (OLT) and the embedded cable modem at the ONU. The embedded cable modem MAC address, along with an associated Internet protocol (IP) stack, enables traditional DOCSIS cable modem provisioning and management over a passive optical network.