A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PREMIUM TRANSPORT IN A DOCSIS-COMPLAINT CABLE NETWORK

摘要

A system and method for providing premium transport in a DOCSIS-complia nt cable network. An edge server in a DOCSIS-compliant cable network maintains a list of preferred content providers (PCPs). For each PCP, the PCP list comprises matching criteria. The edge server monitors the header of incoming packets for the matching criteria. A packet that matches the matching criteria is modified by the edge server causing th e packet to be associated with a "premium" downstream service flow. Packets sent in respons e to a "preferred" packet are parsed by a cable modem and routed upstream according to a "premium" upstream service flow.