Patent attributes
A technique is described for facilitating communication in access networks such as cable networks. One aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved line card configuration which may be used to provide upstream channel “high availability” protection whereby the cable modems of a failed upstream channel may be immediately and dynamically reassigned to an alternate upstream channel in order to minimize service disruption. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved line card configuration which is able to provide load balancing capabilities across multiple upstream channels associated with one or more line cards. According to a specific implementation, such load balancing capabilities may be used to reassign cable modems (which are physically connected to a fixed upstream port) to alternate upstream channels. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to an improved line card configuration which is able to provide the feature of virtual cabling. According to one embodiment, the feature of virtual cabling may be used to dynamically configure, via software, cable modems from any selected subscriber group to “talk” to any desired PHY chip on any line card within a CMTS.
