Communication server apparatus providing XDSL services and method

• US 20050141563A1
• Filed: 02/16/2005
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Locklear, Robert H. Jr., Burke, Robert M. II, McHale, John F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,116,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/493
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2889 Multiservice, e.g. MSAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4612 LAN interconnection over narrowband networks, e.g. N-ISDN, PSTN, X.25
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0008 arrangements for allowing a transmitter or receiver to use more than one type of modulation negotiating modulation type for two-way transmission paths H04L5/1453
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0421 Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13036 Serial/parallel conversion, parallel bit transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1319 Amplifier, attenuation circuit, echo suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13203 : Exchange termination [ET]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1329 : Asynchronous transfer mode, ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13302 : Magnetic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

A communication system (500) includes a plurality of subscriber systems (510) coupled to a plurality of twisted pair data lines (520). Each subscriber system (510) has an availability guarantee value, which may specify a level of service for the subscriber system (510). A communication server (502) is coupled to the plurality of subscriber systems (510). The communication server (502) selectively couples a subscriber system (510), responsive to a request for service, to either a first modem pool (530) or a second modem pool (540) based on the availability guarantee value associated with the subscriber system (510). Communication server (502) can also provide a soft-termination state and dynamic network address allocation for subscriber systems (510).

Claims

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19. A digital subscriber line (XDSL) communication server, comprising:

a plurality of XDSL modems;

a data line; and

a controller operable;

to couple the data line to a selected one of the XDSL modems to establish a subscriber session;

to assign a network address to the subscriber session from a set of assignable network addresses; and

to return the assigned network address to the set of assignable network addresses when the subscriber session is terminated.

20. The communication server of claim 19, wherein the network address is assigned from a subset of the set of assignable network addresses.

21. The communication server of claim 20, wherein the controller is further operable to determine from which subset to assign the network address of the set of assignable network addresses.

22. The communication server of claim 19, wherein the controller is further operable to remove the assigned network address from the set of assignable network addresses when the network address is assigned.

23. The communication server of claim 19, wherein the communication server is associated with an information service provider operable to distribute network addresses to subscribers.

24. The communication server of claim 19, wherein the controller is further operable to maintain a set of assignable network addresses for each provider serviced by the communication server.

25. The communication server of claim 19, wherein the controller is further operable to monitor the subscriber session to determine whether the subscriber session has terminated.

26. A method for dynamically allocating network addresses in a digital subscriber line (XDSL) communication system, comprising:

receiving a request for data service from a subscriber;

coupling the subscriber to a first XDSL modem in a modem pool to establish a subscriber session;

assigning the subscriber session a network address from a set of assignable network addresses; and

returning the assigned network address to the set of assignable network address when the subscriber session is terminated.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein assigning the subscriber session a network address comprises assigning the network address to an active subscriber session.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein assigning the subscriber session a network address comprises distributing network addresses to subscribers.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein assigning the subscriber session a network address comprises assigning a network address from a subset of the set of assignable network addresses.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein assigning the subscriber session a network address comprises determining from which subset to assign the network address of the set of assigned network addresses.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising removing the assigned network address from the set of assignable network addresses when the network address is assigned.

32. The method of claim 26, further comprising maintaining a set of assignable network addresses for each provider serviced by a communication server.

33. The method of claim 26, further comprising monitoring the subscriber session to determine whether the subscriber session has terminated.

34. A digital subscriber line (XDSL) communication system, comprising:

a subscriber system operable to generate a request for service; and

a communication server operable;

to receive the request for service;

to couple a data line to a selected one of a plurality of XDSL modems to establish a subscriber session;

to assign a network address to the subscriber session from a set of assignable network addresses; and

to return the assigned network address to the set of assignable network addresses when the subscriber session is terminated.

35. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the network address is assigned from a subset of the set of assignable network addresses.

36. The communication system of claim 35, wherein the communication server is further operable to determine from which subset to assign the network address of the set of assignable network addresses.

37. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the communication server is further operable to remove the assigned network address from the set of assignable network addresses when the network address is assigned.

38. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the communication server is associated with an information service provider operable to distribute network addresses to subscribers.

39. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the communication server is further operable to maintain a set of assignable network addresses for each provider serviced by the communication server.

40. The communication system of claim 34, wherein the communication server is further operable to monitor the subscriber session to determine whether the subscriber session has terminated.

41. A digital subscriber line (XDSL) communication server, comprising:

means for receiving a request for data service from a subscriber;

means for coupling the subscriber to a first XDSL modem in a modem pool to establish a subscriber session;

means for assigning the subscriber session a network address from a set of assignable network addresses; and

means for returning the assigned network address to the set of assignable network address when the subscriber session is terminated.