Dynamic EQAM discovery in M-CMTS architecture

摘要

In one example, an Edge Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (EQAM) communicates EQAM information to a Modular Cable Modem Termination System (M-CMTS) core using a routing protocol that is configured on a packet switched network coupling the EQAM to the M-CMTS core. The EQAM generates a routing message according to the routing protocol and inserts EQAM information, such as a description of a modulated channel extending from the EQAM, the service-group information, etc., into the routing message. The EQAM then floods the EQAM information over at least portions of a routing domain by transmitting the routing message to an adjacent intermediary device.

主权项

1. A Modular Cable Modem Termination System (M-CMTS), comprising:
a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: identify a received message that was generated according to an inter gateway routing protocol; inspect the received message for a field value indicating that the received message contains Edge Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (EQAM) parameters of an EQAM; if the received message does not contain the field value, then process the received message according to the inter gateway routing protocol; if the received message does contain the field value, then extract from the received message a description of a modulated channel extending from the EQAM; maintain a first table tracking reachability of intermediary nodes operating in a packet switched network that connects the M-CMTS to the EQAM according to inter gateway messaging; maintain a second table tracking gateways between the packet switched network and a modulated network according to the inter gateway messaging; and select one of the tables to be updated with the received message contents according to whether the received message contains the field value.