Media access layer ping protocol for diagnosing cable modem links
First Claim
1. An apparatus of examining connectivity status between a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and one or more cable modems, the apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a network command that causes the CMTS to place a selected identifier associated with a cable modem into a poll list a predetermined number of times thereby causing the cable modem to receive a map message the predetermined number of times;
means for performing periodic ranging between the CMTS and a cable modem associated with the selected identifier;
means for, if the selected identifier is in the poll list as a result of the network command, evaluating results from the periodic ranging; and
means for determining whether the cable modem should remain on the poll list based on the results from the periodic ranging.
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Abstract
Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are disclosed for performing diagnostic tests of a communication link between a headend and a cable modem without having to assign an IP address to the cable modem. The diagnostic tests are performed at the MAC layer and test the state of the hardware between and including the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and a selected cable modem. By doing so, a network operator is able to more easily focus in on a potential problem in cable RF/MAC connectivity between the two components by first eliminating (or identifying) a problem with hardware before focusing on problem-solving at the software level, typically at the Network layer, at which point the cable modem is assigned an IP address.
75 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus of examining connectivity status between a cable modem termination system (CMTS) and one or more cable modems, the apparatus comprising:
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means for receiving a network command that causes the CMTS to place a selected identifier associated with a cable modem into a poll list a predetermined number of times thereby causing the cable modem to receive a map message the predetermined number of times; means for performing periodic ranging between the CMTS and a cable modem associated with the selected identifier; means for, if the selected identifier is in the poll list as a result of the network command, evaluating results from the periodic ranging; and means for determining whether the cable modem should remain on the poll list based on the results from the periodic ranging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 27, 28, 29)
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11. An apparatus of spot checking the quality of a communication link between a cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using Media Access Layer (MAC) layer functionality, the apparatus comprising:
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means for accepting a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable modem have an Internet Protocol (IP) address; means for, during periodic ranging, determining whether a cable modem is on a poll list from a ping command; and means for evaluating results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; wherein the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 30, 31, 32)
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15. A cable modem termination system for performing initial ranging and periodic ranging with a network of cable modems comprising:
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a poll list for storing a first plurality of cable modem service identifiers wherein the poll list is arranged to allow insertion of a cable modem service identifier through issuance of a ping command; a ping pending list for storing a second plurality of cable modem service identifiers wherein a cable modem service identifiers in the ping pending list is associated with a ping command; and an executed polls counter for storing a count of the number of times a cable modem associated with a ping command, the ping command having a number of requested polls, is placed in the poll list, wherein the cable modem termination system is configured to accept a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable modem have an Internet Protocol (IP) address; during periodic ranging, determine whether a cable modem is on a poll list from a ping command; and evaluate results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; and wherein the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 33, 34, 35)
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19. The cable modem termination system of 15 wherein the first plurality of cable modem service identifiers are inserted in the poll list through one of expiration of a periodic timer and issuance of a ping command.
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20. A computer readable medium on which is provided a computer code for spot checking the quality of a communication link between a cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using Media Access Layer (MAC) layer functionality, the computer code comprising:
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instructions for accepting a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable modem have an Internet Protocol (IP) address; instructions for, during periodic ranging, determining whether a cable modem is on a poll list from a ping command; instructions for evaluating results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; instructions for determining whether the CMTS has received a range request from the cable modem; instructions for transmitting a range response to the cable modem if the range request is satisfactory to the CMTS and reporting a ping success; and instructions for reporting a ping failure if the range request is unsatisfactory to the CMTS, whereby the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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21. A computer readable medium on which is provided a computer code for spot checking the quality of a communication link between a cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using Media Access Layer (MAC) layer functionality, the computer code comprising:
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instructions for accepting a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable modem have an Internet Protocol (IP) address; instructions for, during periodic ranging, determining whether a cable modem is on a poll list from a ping command; instructions for evaluating results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; and instructions for incrementing an executed polls counter each time the selected cable modem is put on the poll list thereby forcing periodic maintenance by the CMTS, whereby the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol.
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22. A computer readable medium on which is provided a computer code for spot checking the quality of a communication link between a cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using Media Access Layer (MAC) layer functionality, the computer code comprising:
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instructions for accepting a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable modem having an Internet Protocol (IP) address; instructions for during periodic ranging, determining whether a cable mode is on a poll list from a ping command; instructions for evaluating results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; instructions for inserting the selected cable modem into the poll list upon accepting the ping command; and instructions for indicating that the selected cable modem is in the poll list as a result of the ping command; whereby the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol.
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23. An apparatus of spot checking the quality of a communication link between a cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) using Media Access Layer (MAC) layer functionality, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory; a network interface; and a data processor associated with the memory and the network interface, the data processor being configured to accept a ping command specifying a selected cable modem to be tested wherein it is not required that the selected cable mode have an Internet Protocol (IP) address; during periodic ranging, determine whether a cable modem is on a poll list from a ping command; and evaluate results from the ping command thereby determining whether parameter adjustments for the selected cable modem are needed or whether the selected modem should be taken offline; wherein the ping command is executed primarily using MAC layer protocol. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification