Remote PHY Node Reset Process for Cable Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing remote PHY architecture in cable television systems requires lengthy reset processes, such as hard and soft resets, which result in significant service unavailability for customers due to the need for reinitialization and reconfiguration of remote physical devices, impacting data and video services.
Innovation Solution
A modified reset process for remote physical devices that allows them to maintain configuration and session information locally, enabling quicker restarts and minimizing the need for re-establishing connections with the D-CMTS, thereby reducing service downtime by using a software image package with versioning to determine the type of reset required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hard reset or soft reset processes are used for remote PHY devices, then complete system reinitialization is achieved, but service unavailability time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reset process into multiple types (hard reset, soft reset, and dataplane reset) with varying degrees of completeness. Each reset type resets only the necessary components while preserving others, allowing selective reinitialization that balances reliability restoration with minimal service disruption. The dataplane reset specifically segments the reset scope to only affect data processing functions while maintaining configuration and control plane operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by maintaining configuration data and session information in non-volatile memory before reset operations. This allows the system to preserve critical state information in advance, enabling faster recovery without complete reinitialization. The pre-preserved configuration data eliminates the need for time-consuming reconfiguration after reset, directly reducing service unavailability time.
2Reliability
If complete system reset is performed, then all software and hardware states are reinitialized, but connection re-establishment time with D-CMTS increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and preserves critical connection state information (configuration data, session information) from the volatile memory before reset operations. By separating this essential connection state from the reset scope, the system can perform resets on software and hardware components without losing connection context. This extracted state information is then rapidly reloaded after reset, eliminating the need for time-consuming connection re-establishment procedures with the D-CMTS.
3Reliability
If traditional reset processes are used, then all configurations are reloaded from D-CMTS, but data and video service availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service functions into control plane and dataplane operations. The dataplane reset selectively reinitializes only data processing components while maintaining control plane configuration and session management. This segmentation allows data and video services to continue operating during reset operations, preserving service availability while still achieving necessary configuration reinitialization in the affected dataplane components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by maintaining configuration data and session information in non-volatile memory throughout reset operations. This allows control plane functions and certain data services to continue operating uninterrupted during dataplane resets. The preserved configuration state enables seamless service continuation without requiring complete system shutdown or configuration reload, directly maintaining productivity during reset operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a cable distribution system includes a head end connected to a plurality of customer devices through a transmission network that includes a remote fiber node that converts digital data to analog data suitable for said plurality of customer devices. The remote fiber node includes a processor. The remote fiber node resetting software applications of a control plane of the remote fiber node in a manner free from impacting providing services to the customers as a result of resetting software applications. The remote fiber node executing the reset software applications.