Routing protocol based redundancy design for shared-access networks
First Claim
1. A method implemented on a working CMTS for providing redundancy to a cable network in which the working CMTS provides normal service to a cable modem via a first channel and a protection CMTS provides protection service, by taking over service to the cable modem should normal service from the working CMTS become unavailable, via a second channel, the method comprising:
- receiving, by the working CMTS, a registration request from the cable modem;
obtaining an IP address by the working CMTS for the cable modem, the IP address being obtained from an address space outside a first subnet of IP addresses;
wherein the first subnet of IP addresses is dedicated to the working CMTS for assignment to its cable modems;
informing the cable modem of the obtained IP address;
informing the cable modem of at least one registration parameter specific to the first channel;
wherein the cable modem is informed of the second channel;
wherein the cable modem pre-registers, in response to being informed of the second channel, with the protection CMTS via the second channel;
wherein the cable modem is informed of at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel;
wherein the cable modem stores the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel in preparation for a failover event;
wherein the cable modem loads, in response to the determining of the failure, the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel;
wherein the cable modem connects with the protection CMTS via the second channel using the loaded at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel;
wherein the obtained IP address is used in communications with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS;
wherein the protection CMTS takes over service to the cable modem without obtaining a new IP address for the cable modem.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A protection CMTS is available to immediately service a cable modem should that modem'"'"'s service from a working CMTS fail for any reason. To speed the service transfer (cutover) from the working CMTS to the protection CMTS, the cable modem may preregister with the protection CMTS well before the cutover becomes necessary. The cable modem'"'"'s registration with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS preferably employs a single IP address, so that the cable modem need not obtain a new IP address during cutover. While the cable modem may register with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, the devices are designed or configured so that only the working CMTS injects a host route for the cable modem into the appropriate routing protocol. Only after cutover to the protection CMTS does the protection CMTS inject its host route.
251 Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A method implemented on a working CMTS for providing redundancy to a cable network in which the working CMTS provides normal service to a cable modem via a first channel and a protection CMTS provides protection service, by taking over service to the cable modem should normal service from the working CMTS become unavailable, via a second channel, the method comprising:
-
receiving, by the working CMTS, a registration request from the cable modem; obtaining an IP address by the working CMTS for the cable modem, the IP address being obtained from an address space outside a first subnet of IP addresses; wherein the first subnet of IP addresses is dedicated to the working CMTS for assignment to its cable modems; informing the cable modem of the obtained IP address; informing the cable modem of at least one registration parameter specific to the first channel; wherein the cable modem is informed of the second channel; wherein the cable modem pre-registers, in response to being informed of the second channel, with the protection CMTS via the second channel; wherein the cable modem is informed of at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the cable modem stores the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel in preparation for a failover event; wherein the cable modem loads, in response to the determining of the failure, the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the cable modem connects with the protection CMTS via the second channel using the loaded at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the obtained IP address is used in communications with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS; wherein the protection CMTS takes over service to the cable modem without obtaining a new IP address for the cable modem. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory machine readable medium containing program instructions which, when executed by a working CMTS, perform a method for providing redundancy to a cable network in which the working CMTS provides normal service to a cable modem via a first channel and a protection CMTS provides protection service, by taking over service to the cable modem should normal service from the working CMTS become unavailable, via a second channel, the method comprising:
-
receiving, by the working CMTS, a registration request from the cable modem; obtaining an IP address by the working CMTS for the cable modem, the IP address being obtained from an address space outside a first subnet of IP addresses; wherein the first subnet of IP addresses is dedicated to the working CMTS for assignment to its cable modems; informing the cable modem of the obtained IP address; informing the cable modem of at least one registration parameter specific to the first channel; wherein the cable modem is informed of the second channel; wherein the cable modem pre-registers, in response to being informed of the second channel, with the protection CMTS via the second channel; wherein the cable modem is informed of at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel in preparation for a failover event; wherein the cable modem loads, in response to determination of a failure of the working CMTS'"'"'s service to the cable mode, the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the cable modem connects with the protection CMTS via the second channel using the loaded at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the obtained IP address is used for communications with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, wherein the protection CMTS takes over service to the cable modem without obtaining a new IP address for the cable modem. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A working CMTS for providing redundancy to a cable network in which a working CMTS provides normal service to a cable modem via a first channel and a protection CMTS provides protection service, by taking over service to the cable modem should normal service from the working CMTS become unavailable, via a second channel, the working CMTS comprising:
-
a memory; and a processor configured to; receive a registration request from the cable modem; obtain an IP address for the cable modem, the IP address being obtained from an address space outside a first subnet of IP addresses; inform the cable modem of the obtained IP address; and inform the cable modem of at least one registration parameter specific to the first channel; and wherein the protection CMTS is configured to; inform the cable modem of at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; take over service to the cable modem without obtaining a new IP address for the cable modem; and wherein the cable modem is configured to; pre-register, in response to being informed of the second channel, with the protection CMTS via the second channel; store the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel in preparation for a failover event; load, in response to a determination of a failure of the working CMTS'"'"'s service to the cable modem, the at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; connect with the protection CMTS via the second channel using the loaded at least one registration parameter specific to the second channel; wherein the first subnet of IP addresses is dedicated to the working CMTS for assignment to its cable modems; and wherein the obtained IP address is used in communications with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
-
Specification