Virtualized vCore Redundancy for Real-Time Cable Data Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable modem termination systems (CMTS) face challenges in dynamically scaling processing capabilities to meet increasing bandwidth demands while ensuring timely data packet delivery in real-time cable data distribution environments, particularly in virtualized environments using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtualized Remote PHY MAC Cores (vCores) on COTS servers, utilizing container orchestration and resource management systems to automate deployment, scaling, and redundancy, ensuring dedicated resources and network bandwidth for each vCore instance, and employing SR-IOV for network interface virtualization to maintain real-time data packet delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional CMTS hardware is used to provide cable data services, then system stability and real-time data packet delivery are maintained, but the system lacks flexibility in dynamically scaling processing capabilities to meet increasing bandwidth demands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CMTS functionality into virtual cores (vCores) that can be independently instantiated and managed on COTS servers. Each vCore represents a discrete processing unit that can be scaled independently, allowing the system to dynamically adjust processing capabilities while maintaining stable, isolated execution environments that ensure real-time data packet delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vCore manager as an intermediary component that orchestrates between the virtualized processing layer (vCores) and the physical infrastructure (COTS servers). This mediator handles resource allocation, scaling decisions, and ensures that quality of service requirements for real-time data delivery are met despite the virtualized environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtualized vCores are deployed on COTS servers to enable dynamic scaling, then processing capability flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases and challenges arise in ensuring dedicated resources and network bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal vCore templates that can be instantiated multiple times across different COTS servers, each template encapsulating the necessary software components and configurations. This multi-functional approach allows the same vCore design to serve different service groups and bandwidth requirements without increasing individual vCore complexity, as the management overhead is handled by the orchestrator.
Solution Approach 2:
The vCore manager implements self-service capabilities where vCores automatically request and allocate necessary resources (CPU, memory, network bandwidth) based on their configured requirements and current workload. This automation reduces manual intervention and simplifies management complexity by allowing the system to self-regulate resource allocation.
3Reliability
If redundancy of vCores is implemented to minimize service disruptions, then service reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to dedicated reserved resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic redundancy where backup vCores are not statically allocated but dynamically activated based on failure detection. The system maintains a pool of standby vCore templates that can be rapidly instantiated and activated when primary vCores fail, rather than permanently resourcing dedicated backup infrastructure. This dynamic approach ensures service continuity while optimizing resource utilization during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements resource recovery mechanisms where resources previously dedicated to failed vCores are automatically reclaimed and reallocated to active service groups. The orchestrator monitors vCore health and triggers recovery processes that discard failed instances and recover their resources for productive use, thereby maintaining reliability while improving overall resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
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 the plurality of customer devices, where the head end includes at least one server each of which includes a respective processor.