WO2015085566A1

WO2015085566A1 - Resource allocation method, device and system

Info

Publication number: WO2015085566A1
Application number: PCT/CN2013/089343
Authority: WO
Inventors: 徐进; 李晓刚; 李勇
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2013-12-13
Filing date: 2013-12-13
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: CN104904162A; CN104904162B

Abstract

Disclosed is a resource allocation method. A CM information table is provided in a CMTS, and serial numbers and priorities of CMs registered on the CMTS are stored in a table entry of the CM information table. The method comprises: receiving, by a CMTS, a registration message from a new on-line CM, and when the number of serial numbers of CMs stored in a CM information table reaches a set number, allocating a temporary serial number which is greater than the set number to the new on-line CM; acquiring, by the CMTS, a configuration file of the new on-line CM, and acquiring a priority of the new on-line CM from the configuration file; and acquiring a table entry with a priority lower than that of the new on-line CM from the CM information table, and allocating the serial number in the acquired table entry to the new on-line CM.

Description

Resource allocation method, device and system

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a resource allocation method, apparatus, and system. Background technique

Figure 1 shows the networking diagram of the existing DOCSIS (Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specifications) system. In Figure 1, the CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) passes the EPON (Ethernet Passive Optical Network), GPON (Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network), GPON (Gigabit-Capable Passive Optical Network) Passive optical network) or GE (Gigabit Ethernet) is connected to the OLT (Optical Line Terminal). The upstream direction of the OLT is connected to the IP (Internet Protocol) network through a router or a Layer 3 switch. The CMTS mixes the data signal and video signal from the OLT in the downstream direction and sends it to the CM (Cable Modem) through the Cable network.

Based on the network architecture of Figure 1, the on-line procedure of the existing CM is that the CM sends a registration message to the CMTS. After receiving the registration message of the CM, the CMTS establishes a service channel with the CM, and assigns a serial number to the CM, and associates the assigned sequence number with the identifier of the established service channel.

After the CMTS assigns the serial number to the CM, it sends a response message to the CM. The CM downloads the configuration file to the TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol) server and uses the downloaded configuration file for local configuration.

After the CM is configured locally, the configuration file is uploaded to the CMTS, and the CMTS is also configured with the configuration file, so that the CM can go online normally.

The above process requires the CMTS to assign the serial number to the CM normally. However, when the CMTS is used by the operator, the number of real users on the network is not clear. As a result, the number of CMs reaches the CMTS specification during actual use, and the result is part. CM cannot be registered online through CMTS.

The prior art to solve this problem is to use the method of timing aging. When the number of CMs of the CMTS reaches the specification and a new CM goes online, the CMTS checks the CM in the offline state if it is in The CM in the offline state has reached the set aging time aging-time, then the CMTS will be The resource occupied by the longest CM in the offline state is released, and the newly-online CM uses this resource to initiate the online process.

The current method also has a big drawback. That is, even if the CM has been in the offline state, it must reach the aging time to allow the resources to be released. In the aging time, the CM that has been in the offline state cannot be deleted, so that if the CMTS is used, If the upper CM is in the aging time, the new CM still cannot go online.

Summary of the invention

In order to enable the CM connected under the CMTS to go online normally, the embodiment of the present invention provides a resource allocation method, device and system.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a resource allocation method in a DOCSIS system, where a column number and a priority are set on the CMTS; the method includes:

Receiving, by the CMTS, a registration message of the newly-online CM, when the number of sequence numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, assigning a temporary serial number to the newly-online CM, the temporary The serial number is greater than the set number;

The CMTS acquires a configuration file of the newly uploaded CM, and obtains a priority of the newly uploaded CM from the configuration file;

The CMTS obtains, from the CM information table, an entry whose priority is lower than the priority of the CM of the new online, and assigns the serial number in the obtained entry to the CM of the new online.

The receiving, by the CMTS, the registration message of the newly-online CM further includes: establishing a service channel between the CM and the newly-online CM.

As an implementation manner, the assigning the sequence number in the obtained entry to the CM of the new online line specifically includes:

Establishing a correspondence between the serial number in the obtained entry and the identification information of the service channel.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a resource allocation method in a DOCSIS system, where a CM information table is set on a CMTS, and an entry of the CM that is registered on the CMTS is stored in an entry of the CM information table. The method includes: The CMTS receives a registration message of the newly uploaded CM, and when the number of serial numbers of the CM stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, extracts parameters in the registration message, from locally saved parameters and CM Obtaining the priority of the newly launched CM in the correspondence of priority levels;

The extracted parameters include: one or more of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, and a media access control MAC address of the newly uplinked CM.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a CMTS, including:

a storage unit, configured to store a CM information table, where an entry of the CM information table stores a serial number and a priority of a CM registered on the CMTS;

a data transceiver, configured to receive a registration message of a newly launched CM;

a processor, when the number of serial numbers of CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, assigning a new serial number to the CM of the new online, and passing the temporary serial number through the data Transmitting, by the transceiver, the CM; and acquiring a configuration file of the newly-online CM, obtaining a priority of the newly-online CM from the configuration file, and obtaining a priority ratio from the CM information table The entry of the newly-received CM has a lower priority, and the serial number in the obtained entry is assigned to the newly-online CM.

The data transceiver is further configured to acquire a configuration file from the newly uploaded CM, and store the configuration file into the memory.

As an implementation manner, the processor is further configured to establish a service channel with the newly launched CM.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a CMTS, including:

a memory for storing a CM information table, where the CM information table stores a serial number and a priority of a CM registered on the CMTS;

a processor, when the number of sequence numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, extracting parameters in the registration message, from a correspondence between locally saved parameters and CM priorities Obtaining a priority of the newly-online CM; and obtaining, from the CM information table, an entry having a lower priority than the newly-online CM, and dividing the sequence number in the obtained entry The new CM is assigned to the line.

The method, the device and the system provided by the embodiments of the present invention can ensure that key users preferentially use network resources and maximize the network convergence ratio by using priorities.

DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some of the present invention. For the embodiments, those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings according to the drawings without any creative work.

1 is a schematic diagram of a DOCSIS system architecture in the prior art;

2 is a flowchart of a resource allocation method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a configuration file according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a CMTS according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of resource allocation according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a CMTS according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. example. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without the creative work are all within the scope of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

This embodiment provides a resource allocation method in a DOCSIS system. In this method, a CM information table is required on the CMTS, and the CM information table stores the sequence number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS. The CM information table may be one, and the CM information table has multiple entries, each of which stores the serial number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS; the CM information table may also be multiple, each The CM can store the serial number and priority of a CM registered on the CMTS. The MAC address of the registered CM may also be stored in the CM information table, and is used to indicate the serial number assigned by the CM corresponding to the MAC address.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the priority may also be represented by the sum of bandwidths of all service channels on the CM. The larger the bandwidth sum, the higher the priority. This embodiment will take priority as an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the method provided in this embodiment includes:

Step 200: The CMTS receives a registration message from the newly uploaded CM.

The registration message carries the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the newly launched CM. Step 202: When the number of serial numbers of CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, assign a temporary serial number to the newly uploaded CM.

After receiving the registration message of the newly uploaded CM, the CMTS stores the registration information of the CM, such as the MAC address of the CM, and also needs to assign a serial number to the CM. However, the CMTS has a certain specification, that is, the maximum number of registration information of the CM that can be stored on the CMTS. If the number of registrations exceeds the set number, the registration information of the newly uploaded CM cannot be stored.

If the information on the registered CM is stored through a CM information table on the CMTS, the set number may be reflected in the maximum number of serial numbers that can be stored in the CM information table, if it is through multiple CM information tables. The information of the registered CM is stored, and the set number can be reflected in the maximum number of serial numbers that can be stored in the plurality of CM information tables.

When the number of the serial numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table does not reach the set number, the CMTS can normally allocate resources to the CM, such as establishing a service channel, assigning a serial number, etc., and those skilled in the art should know that no longer set forth.

When the number of serial numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, there is no serial number in the specification that can be allocated to the newly uploaded CM. In this embodiment, the CMTS will give the newly-online CM. A temporary serial number is assigned, and the temporary serial number may be a reserved serial number other than the specification on the CMTS, that is, a serial number greater than the set number, such as the set number +1.

After assigning the temporary serial number to the newly-online CM, the CMTS also needs to establish a service channel, which is located between the CMTS and the newly-online CM, and is used for transmitting the service between the CMTS and the newly-online CM. After establishing the service channel, the CMTS associates the temporary sequence number with the identity of the established service channel.

The CMTS can send a response message to the CM to cause the CM to download the configuration file to the TFTP server. Of course, the CMTS can also send a response message to the CM. For example, a permanent service channel is established between the CMTS and the CM. After sending the registration message, the CM can download the configuration file to the TFTP server through the permanent service channel.

After the CM downloads the configuration file, it can be configured locally according to the configuration file. The specific configuration process should be known to those in the field.

Step 204: The CMTS acquires a configuration file of the newly uploaded CM, and obtains a priority of the newly uploaded CM from the configuration file.

The CMTS can obtain the configuration file from the newly-online CM, or can be downloaded directly from the TFTP server. The CMTS can obtain a variety of specific forms of the CM configuration file that can be newly uploaded. This embodiment does not enumerate.

The configuration file can consist of many TLVs (Type, Length, Value, Type, Length, Value). The standard specifies that the first sub-TLV of TLV[43] must be Vendor ID. When the Vendor ID is OxFFFFFF, it indicates that the other sub-TLVs are DOCSIS extension information. In this embodiment of the present invention, a TLV [43] needs to be added to the TLV to carry the priority of the CM, as shown in Table 1 below:

(where X means assigning an unused type):

The overall TLV structure of the profile carrying the priority of the CM can be as shown in FIG.

After the CMTS receives the configuration file of the newly launched CM, it needs to obtain the priority of the newly launched CM from the configuration file.

Step 206: The CMTS obtains an entry with a lower priority than the CM of the new online line from the CM information table, and allocates the serial number in the obtained entry to the newly uploaded CM. . After obtaining the priority of the newly-on CM, the CMTS may traverse the CM information table to obtain an entry with a lower priority than the CM of the new online line, where the entry includes the already assigned sequence number and corresponding Priority. The CMTS may reassign the sequence number in the entry to the newly-online CM. The specific process may be that the sequence number in the entry is associated with the identification information of the service channel established above, and the identification information of the service channel may be the service channel. ID, etc., the message sent to the serial number in the entry will be sent to the new online CM through the above service channel.

After performing the above steps, the CMTS can notify the new online CM to go online.

As an implementation manner, the CMTS may also generate alarm information of the offline CM, send the alarm information to the network management device, and prompt the network management device to perform corresponding processing, such as canceling monitoring.

The foregoing embodiment is to preempt resources by the priority of the CM. As another implementation manner, the priority may also be implemented by using a bandwidth. The corresponding bandwidth is larger, the priority is higher, the bandwidth is smaller, and the priority is lower. . The bandwidth corresponding to each CM can be directly saved in the CM information table or from the CAR (Committed Access Rate) parameter corresponding to the CM. For the bandwidth of each CM, if the CAR parameters are set based on a single service flow, the total bandwidth of all service flows on each CM needs to be the bandwidth of the CM.

In the bandwidth-based mode, when the CMTS has a new online CM after reaching the specification, it needs to assign a temporary serial number to the newly-online CM. The specific process is as described above.

The CMTS obtains the configuration file of the newly-online CM, obtains the bandwidth of the newly-online CM from the configuration file, compares it with the bandwidth of other CMs registered on the CMTS, and kicks the CM with a small bandwidth off the line, and assigns the corresponding serial number. For the new CM, see the previous procedure for the specific process.

The resource allocation method provided in this embodiment can ensure that key users preferentially use network resources and maximize network convergence ratio by using priorities. At the same time, the CM in the offline state does not need to wait for the aging time to expire, and allocates the resources occupied by the CM in the offline state to the CM with high priority to improve resource utilization. Based on the above method, an embodiment of the present invention provides a CMTS, as shown in FIG. 4, including a memory 40, a data transceiver 42, and a processor 44.

The memory 40 is configured to store a CM information table, and the entry of the CM information table stores the serial number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS.

The data transceiver 42 is configured to receive a registration message of the newly uploaded CM. The processor 44, when the number of sequence numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, assign a temporary sequence number to the newly uploaded CM, where the temporary sequence number is greater than the set And obtaining a configuration file of the newly uploaded CM, obtaining a priority of the newly uploaded CM from the configuration file, and obtaining a priority from the CM information table than the new online The entry with a lower priority of the CM assigns the serial number in the obtained entry to the newly-online CM.

When the number of serial numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table does not reach the set number, the processor 44 can normally assign a serial number to the newly uploaded CM.

When the number of serial numbers of CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, the processor 44 assigns a temporary serial number to the newly-online CM, and the assigned temporary serial number may be one other than the CMTS specification. The serial number, such as the number of settings +1.

The processor 44 also needs to establish a service channel for the newly-online CM. First, the temporary sequence number is associated with the identifier of the established service channel, and the temporary sequence number can be sent to the newly-online CM through the newly established service channel.

The processor 44 is also configured to obtain a configuration file of the newly-online CM, which may be obtained from the newly uploaded CM, or directly to the TFTP server. After the processor 44 obtains the configuration file of the newly uploaded CM, the configuration file is stored in the memory 40, and the priority of the newly uploaded CM is obtained from the configuration file, and one of the CM information tables is obtained. The entry whose priority is lower than the priority of the newly-online CM assigns the serial number in the acquired entry to the newly-online CM. The method of assigning the sequence number in the entry to the newly-online CM may be to associate the sequence number in the entry with the identifier of the service channel established above.

In another embodiment, the processor 44 also needs to generate alarm information of the offline CM, and notify the data transceiver 40 to send the alarm information to the network management device.

The CMTS provided in this embodiment can ensure that key users preferentially use network resources and maximize network convergence ratio by using priorities. At the same time, the CM in the offline state does not need to wait for the aging time to age, and allocates the resources occupied by the CM in the offline state to the CM with higher priority to improve the resource utilization. Embodiment 2

This embodiment provides a resource allocation method in a DOCSIS system, which is provided in this embodiment. In the method, the CM information table needs to be stored on the CMTS, and the CM information table stores the serial number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS.

The correspondence between the parameters and the priority needs to be saved on the CMTS. The corresponding relationship can be delivered by the network management device or directly on the CMTS. The parameter may be one or more of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, an IP address, and a MAC address of the newly uplinked CM.

For the IP address, the CMTS monitors the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) dialing process of the CPE connected to the CM or CM. When the DHCP server assigns an IP address to the CM or CPE, the CMTS records the assigned IP address. Because the operator is planning the IP address network segment according to the service type, for example, the CPE of the Internet service will be assigned to the IP address of the network segment 1, and the CPE of the TV service will be assigned to the IP address of the network segment 2. Therefore, the IP address in this embodiment may be an IP network segment representing a service type, or may be a single IP address.

The method provided in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. 5, and includes:

Step 500: The CMTS receives the registration message of the newly uploaded CM.

The registration message carries one or more of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, an IP address, and a MAC address of the newly uplinked CM.

Step 502: When the number of the serial numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, extract the parameters in the registration message, and obtain the new information from the correspondence between the locally saved parameters and the priority of the CM. The priority of the CM on the line.

If the number of serial numbers of CMs stored in the CM information table does not reach the set number, the CMTS normally assigns a serial number to the newly uploaded CM and establishes a service channel.

If the number of the sequence numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches the set number, the CMTS extracts the parameters in the registration message, and obtains the priority of the newly-online CM from the correspondence between the locally saved parameters and the priorities. level.

Step 504: The CMTS compares the obtained priority with the priority in the CM information table to obtain an entry with a lower priority than the newly uploaded CM.

The CMTS can also directly compare the priority of the parameter with the priority of the CM information table, and can also directly compare the parameters, such as the parameters in the registration message of the newly uploaded CM and the parameters of other CMs saved on the CMTS. In comparison, since the rule parameters can correspond to a certain priority, it is also possible to obtain a CM having a lower priority than the newly-online CM.

Step 506: The CMTS assigns the serial number to the newly uploaded CM. The CMTS assigns the sequence number in the entry to the newly-online CM, establishes a service channel with the newly-online CM, and associates the sequence number in the entry with the service channel of the newly-online CM.

The CMTS also needs to kick the original CM corresponding to the serial number in the entry to generate an offline alarm message.

The method provided in this embodiment can ensure that key users preferentially use network resources to ensure maximum network convergence ratio by using priorities. Setting a series of parameters and priority correspondence on the CMTS simplifies operation. At the same time, the CM in the offline state does not need to wait for the aging time to age, and allocates the resources occupied by the CM in the offline state to the CM with high priority to improve resource utilization. Correspondingly, the embodiment further provides a CMTS, as shown in FIG. 6, including:

The storage unit 60 is configured to store a CM information table and a correspondence between a parameter and a priority of the CM, where the CM information table stores a sequence number and a priority of the CM registered on the CMTS; One or more of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, an IP address, and a media access control MAC address of the newly uplinked CM.

a data transceiver 62, configured to receive a registration message of a newly online CM;

The processor 64 is configured to: when the number of sequence numbers of the CMs stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, extract parameters in the registration message, and correspond to priorities of locally saved parameters and CMs. Obtaining a priority of the newly-launched CM; and obtaining, from the CM information table, an entry having a lower priority than the newly-online CM, and assigning the serial number in the obtained entry Give the new online CM.

The processor 64 assigns the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly-online CM. Specifically, the processor may establish a service channel to the newly-online CM, and associate the sequence number in the entry with the established service channel.

The processor 64 can also kick off the original CM corresponding to the serial number in the entry, and release the resources occupied by the original CM, for example, releasing the service channel corresponding to the original CM. The processor 64 can also generate a CM offline alert message, and send the alert message to the network management device via the data transceiver 62.

The CMTS provided in this embodiment can ensure that key users preferentially use the network by using priorities. Network resources to ensure maximum network convergence ratio. Setting a series of parameters and priority correspondence on the CMTS can simplify the operation. At the same time, the CM in the offline state does not need to wait until the aging time comes to aging. The resources occupied by the CM in the offline state are allocated to the CM with high priority to improve resource utilization. For the device embodiment, since it basically corresponds to the method embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description of the method embodiment. The system embodiments described above are merely illustrative, wherein the modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as modules may or may not be physical modules, ie may be located One place, or it can be distributed to multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand and implement without any creative effort.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope of the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

^Youli. Request letter

1. A resource allocation method in a cable bearer data service interface specification DOCSIS system, which is characterized in that the cable modem terminal system CMTS is provided with a cable modem terminal CM information table, and the method includes:

The CMTS receives the registration message of the newly online CM, and when the number of CM serial numbers stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, allocates a temporary serial number to the newly online CM, and the temporary The serial number is greater than the set number;

The CMTS obtains the configuration file of the newly online CM, and obtains the priority of the newly online CM from the configuration file;

The CMTS obtains an entry with a lower priority than the newly online CM from the CM information table, and allocates the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly online CM.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that after the CMTS receives the registration message of the newly online CM, it further includes:

Establish a business channel with the newly online CM.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein allocating the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly online CM specifically includes:

Establish a corresponding relationship between the sequence number in the obtained entry and the identification information of the service channel.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining the configuration file of the newly online CM specifically includes:

Obtain the configuration file from the newly online CM, and the configuration file is obtained by the newly online CM from the server where the configuration file is stored using the temporary serial number.

5. A resource allocation method in a cable bearer data service interface specification DOCSIS system, characterized in that the cable modem terminal system CMTS is provided with a cable modem terminal CM information table, including: The CMTS receives the registration message of the newly online CM. When the number of CM serial numbers stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, the CMTS extracts the parameters in the registration message and extracts the parameters from the locally saved parameters and CM. Obtain the priority of the newly online CM from the priority corresponding relationship;

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the extracted parameters include: one of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, an IP address, and a media access control MAC address of the newly online CM, or Various.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein before allocating the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly online CM, the method further includes:

Establish a business channel with the newly online CM.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein allocating the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly online CM specifically includes:

9. The method according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, after allocating the sequence number in the obtained entry to the newly online CM, the method further includes:

Generate alarm information for the offline CM and send the alarm information to the network management device.

10. A cable modem terminal system CMTS, which is characterized by including:

A memory used to store the cable modem terminal CM information table, where the sequence number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS are stored in the entries of the CM information table;

Data transceiver, used to receive the registration message of the newly online CM;

The processor is configured to allocate a temporary serial number to the newly online CM when the number of CM serial numbers stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, and the temporary serial number is greater than the set number. and obtain the configuration file of the newly online CM, obtain the priority of the newly online CM from the configuration file, and obtain a priority higher than the newly online CM from the CM information table The sequence number in the obtained entry is assigned to the newly online CM.

11. The CMTS according to claim 10, wherein the data transceiver is further configured to obtain a configuration file from the newly online CM, and store the configuration file in the memory.

12. The CMTS according to claim 10, wherein the processor is also used to establish a service channel with the newly online CM.

13. A cable modem terminal system CMTS, which is characterized by including:

A memory used to store a cable modem terminal CM information table, where the CM information table stores the serial number and priority of the CM registered on the CMTS;

The processor is configured to extract the parameters in the registration message when the number of CM serial numbers stored in the CM information table reaches a set number, and extract the parameters in the registration message from the corresponding relationship between the locally saved parameters and the priority of the CM. Obtain the priority of the newly online CM; and obtain an entry with a lower priority than the newly online CM from the CM information table, and assign the sequence number in the obtained entry to The newly launched CM.

14. The CMTS according to claim 13, wherein the extracted parameters include: one of an uplink channel identifier, a downlink channel identifier, an IP address, and a media access control MAC address of the newly online CM, or Various.

15. The CMTS according to claim 13, wherein the processor is also used to establish a service channel with the newly online CM.

16. A cable bearer data service interface specification DOCSIS system, including the CMTS as described in any one of claims 10-12, or the CMTS as described in any one of claims 13-15.