Seamless architecture for cable access networks

摘要

In general techniques are described for applying differentiated services with a customer-aware network device. A network device comprising a control unit and an interface may implement the techniques. The interface receives a network packet that is associated with first and second labels. The first label uniquely identifies a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) within a plurality of CMTSs. The second label uniquely identifies one of a plurality of CPE devices coupled to the CMTS. The control unit determines at least one subscriber-specific service associated with the one of the plurality of CPE devices based at least in part on the first and second labels associated with the labeled network packet. The at least one subscriber-specific service comprises a service associated with the one of the plurality of CPE devices. The control unit applies the at least one subscriber-specific service to the labeled network packet received from the CMTS.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, with a layer three (L3) packet-based router coupled to a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) that is positioned between a Cable Modem (CM) and the L3 packet-based router, a network packet output by a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device of a plurality of CPE devices coupled to the CM and having a first label and a second label appended to the network packet by the CMTS, wherein the first label uniquely identifies the CMTS within a plurality of CMTSs coupled to the L3 packet based-router, wherein the second label uniquely identifies the CPE device of the plurality of CPE devices coupled to the CMTS that output the network packet; determining, by the L3 packet-based router, at least one subscriber-specific service associated with the CPE device of the plurality of CPE devices based on the first and second labels appended to the labeled network packet by the CMTS, wherein the at least one subscriber-specific service comprises a service associated with the CPE device of the plurality of CPE devices; and applying, by the L3 packet-based router, the at least one subscriber-specific service to the labeled network packet received from the CMTS.