Increasing the number of supported devices on a DOCSIS interface

• US 20070033621A1
• Filed: 08/03/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Roeck, Guenter
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,000 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem

Abstract

A network device communicates in a cable network. The network device has a port to allow the device to communicate on a cable network. The network device also has a processor to send a message indicating that the device is assuming a dormant state. The processor then assumes a dormant state for the device, releasing the service identifiers and service flows associated with that device for use in the cable network.

Claims

1. A network device, comprising:

a port to allow the device to communicate on a cable network;

a processor to;

send a message indicating that the device is going dormant; and

assume a dormant state for the device.

2. The network device of claim 1, the processor further to become active upon an activation event.

3. The network device of claim 2, the activation event further comprising a request from a cable modem termination system.

4. The network device of claim 2, the activation event further comprising a determination from the processor that there is data to transmit.

5. A network device, comprising:

a port to allow the device to communicate on a cable network;

a processor to receive a message indicating that a device in communication with the network device is assuming a dormant state; and

a memory to store data related to the device in communication with the network device while the device is dormant.

6. The network device of claim 5, the memory further to store data about service flows and service identifiers associated with the network device.

7. The network device of claim 5, the processor further to:

receive an activation message from the device in communication with the network device; and

access the data related to the device to reactivate communications with the device.

8. A method of operating a device, comprising:

determining that the device can assume a dormant state;

transmitting a message indicating that the device is assuming a dormant state; and

placing the device in a dormant state.

9. The method of claim 8, determining further comprising determining that there are no communications to be transmitted from the device.

10. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising continuing to provide communication between a user and a cable network while in a dormant state.

11. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

determining that an activation event has occurred;

assuming an active state; and

transmitting a message that the device has assumed an active state.

12. The method of claim 11, determining that an activation event has occurred further comprising determining that there are communications to be transmitted.

13. The method of claim 11, determining that an activation event has occurred further comprising determining that a request for activation has been received from a cable modem termination system.

14. A method of managing communications in a cable network, comprising:

receiving a message indicating that a user device is assuming a dormant state; and

saving data related to communications with the user device.

15. The method of claim 14, the method further comprising:

determining that an activation event has occurred for the user device;

accessing the data related to the communication with the user device; and

using the data to resume communications with the user device.

16. The method of claim 15, determining that an activation event has occurred further comprising:

receiving a communication intended for the user device;

transmitting an activation request to the user device; and

receiving an activation message from the user device.

17. The method of claim 15, determining that an activation even has occurred further comprising receiving an activation message from the user device.

18. A network device, comprising:

means for allowing the device to communicate on a cable network;

means for sending a message indicating that the device is going dormant; and

means for assuming a dormant state for the device.

19. A network device, comprising:

means for allowing the device to communicate on a cable network;

means for receiving a message indicating that a device in communication with the network device is assuming a dormant state; and

means for storing data related to the device in communication with the network device while the device is dormant.

20. An article of computer-readable media containing instructions that, when executed, cause the computer to:

determine that the device can assume a dormant state;

transmit a message indicating that the device is assuming a dormant state; and

place the device in a dormant state.

21. The article of claim 20, the instruction, when executed, further cause the computer to:

determine that an activation event has occurred;

assume an active state; and

transmit a message that the device has assumed an active state.