Method and system for server-side handling of a low-power client in a wide area network
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- in a cable modem termination system (CMTS);
receiving a request that a network device be permitted to enter a power-saving mode of operation;
in response to said request, entering a power-saving mode of operation wherein media access control (MAC) management messages are transmitted at independently determinable intervals; and
transmitting a message granting said network device permission to enter said power-saving mode of operation, wherein said message includes one or more of;
a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should transmit on while in said power-saving mode of operation;
a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should receive on while in said power-saving mode of operation;
a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should transmit for while in said power-saving mode of operation; and
a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should listen for while in said power-saving mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A CMTS may receive a request that a network device be permitted to enter a power-saving mode of operation. In response, the CMTS may enter a power-saving mode of operation wherein MAC management messages, transmission opportunities for the sleeping network device, and/or contention periods on one or more channels occur at independently determinable intervals. The CMTS may then transmit a message granting the network device permission to enter the power-saving mode of operation. The CMTS may start a sleep timer upon transmitting the MAC management message and may deregister the network device if no communication is received from the network device prior to expiration of the sleep timer. The CMTs may buffer traffic destined for the network device in a buffer of the CMTS while the network device is in the power-saving mode of operation, and may wake the network device upon the amount of buffered traffic reaching a threshold.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
in a cable modem termination system (CMTS); receiving a request that a network device be permitted to enter a power-saving mode of operation; in response to said request, entering a power-saving mode of operation wherein media access control (MAC) management messages are transmitted at independently determinable intervals; and transmitting a message granting said network device permission to enter said power-saving mode of operation, wherein said message includes one or more of; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should transmit on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should receive on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should transmit for while in said power-saving mode of operation; and a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should listen for while in said power-saving mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
in a host device that centrally manages, through communication of media access control (MAC) management messages, access of a plurality of client devices to a shared medium comprising one or more coaxial cables and/or fiber optic cables; receiving, from one of said plurality of client devices via said one or more coaxial cables and/or fiber optic cables, a request that said one of said plurality of client devices be permitted to enter a power-saving mode of operation; in response to said request, entering a power-saving mode of operation wherein said MAC management messages are transmitted at dedicated timeslots that said one of said client devices can determine without having to listen to said shared medium at times other than said dedicated timeslots; transmitting a message granting said network device permission to enter said power-saving mode of operation, wherein said message includes one or more of; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said one of said plurality of client devices should transmit on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said one of said plurality of client devices should receive on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating what type of signals the one of said plurality of client devices should transmit for while in said power-saving mode of operation; and a parameter indicating what type of signals the one of said plurality of client devices should listen for while in said power-saving mode of operation; and buffering traffic destined for said one of said plurality of client devices in a buffer of said host device while said one of said plurality of client devices is in said power-saving mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A system comprising:
circuitry for use in a cable modem termination system (CMTS), said circuitry being operable to; receive a request that a network device be permitted to enter a power-saving mode of operation; in response to said request, enter a power-saving mode of operation wherein media access control (MAC) management messages are transmitted at independently determinable intervals; and transmit a message granting said network device permission to enter said power-saving mode of operation, wherein said message includes one or more of; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should transmit on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating which one or more channels said network device should receive on while in said power-saving mode of operation; a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should transmit for while in said power-saving mode of operation; and a parameter indicating what type of signals the network device should listen for while in said power-saving mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification