Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Combined circuit switching and packet switching
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2003-10-21
Nguyen, Steven (Department: 2665)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Combined circuit switching and packet switching
C370S395100, C370S465000, C370S468000, C370S254000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06636505
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for service provisioning a broadband modem. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for automatically provisioning a broadband communication service to a subscriber having a broadband modem
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There is widespread interest among users of computers in faster access to content provided by internet service providers (“ISPs”). In one sense, this interest appears to be driving the development of communication technologies that allow users to communicate with ISPs at higher and higher rates. A brief background of networking and a high speed communication service, known as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (“ADSL”) is set forth below as an introduction. In regard to related communication techniques, the entire contents of each of the following is incorporated herein by reference:
1. Integrated Local Management Interfaces (ILMI) 4.0, ADSL Forum, July, 1996
2. SNMP-based ADSL line MIB, Working Text Draft, ADSL Forum, Oct. 25, 1997
3. ILMI Based Service Provisioning for ADSL, ADSL Forum 98-025, Barcelona, Mar. 31, 1998.
4. Core Network Architectures for ADSL Access Systems, ADSL Forum 98-017, Barcelona, Mar. 31, 1998.
FIG. 1
shows a known technique for high speed communication service provisioning. A user
10
uses a telephone
20
to request a high speed service, such as ADSL, from a network service provider
30
, such as by speaking with an operator
40
at a local central office location. A network service provider
30
, also referred to as an NSP, is an access provider, in contrast to a content provider like an ISP. An engineer
50
at the central office then configures the network
60
for service in response to the user's request. Next, the network service provider
30
informs the user
10
of network parameters to be used by the user
10
to configure an ADSL modem within the user's personal computer
70
. Content may be offered by an ISP
100
coupled to the network
60
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the network
60
includes an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (“ATM”) core
80
that is coupled to the computer
70
through a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (“DSLAM”)
90
. As defined in Newton's Telecom Dictionary, 14th Expanded Edition, “ATM is a high bandwidth, low-delay, connection-oriented, packet-like switching and multiplexing technique.” ATM and DSLAM device are well known to those skilled in the art of high speed communication.
A significant disadvantage to the technique shown in
FIG. 1
is the involvement of the user
10
in configuring the ADSL modem in the personal computer
70
. Communication devices, such as the personal computer
70
, may be referred to herein more generally as the customer premise equipment (“CPE”). Specifically, the requirement of user
10
involvement may discourage some user's from requesting high speed service. There is also the danger of the user
10
misinterpreting the configuration information from the network service provider, or erroneously entering the configuration information. In addition, the involvement of the user
10
may cause the network service provider
30
to undertake the expense of providing technical support to the user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Networks are collections of independent devices that communicate with one another over a shared physical connection, or network medium. Networks are often categorized as Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN).
1. Local Area Networks
Local area networks are usually confined to a specific geographic area, such as an office building. LANs, however, are not necessarily simple in design, and may link together hundreds of devices, including computers, printers, scanners and the like. The development of various standards for networking protocols has made possible the proliferation of LANs in organizations worldwide for business and educational applications.
Ethernet is a LAN networking protocol commonly utilized today. Ethernet typically utilizes a “star” or “spoke” topology, where each device of the LAN is connected to other devices via a central hub. In such a configuration, each device has its own private connection to the LAN and can be disconnected from the network without interfering with any other device's connection.
Ethernet LAN technology was standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as the 802.3 specification entitled “Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Access Method and Physical Layer Specifications.” Initially, Ethernet technology used coaxial cable in a bus topology, however it has evolved to take advantage of new technologies such as twisted pair cabling (10 Base-T), fiber optics (10 Base-FL), and 100 Mbps operation (100 Base-X, or Fast Ethernet). The current standard is known as IEEE 802.3u, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. One limitation of 10/100 Base-T is the requirement for “home run” cabling, i.e., each device is connected back to a central hub, as opposed to “daisy chain” connections.
The Ethernet system consists of three basic elements: the physical medium; medium access control rules; and a packet format. The physical medium is used to convey Ethernet signals from one device to another. The medium access control rules are embedded in each Ethernet interface, and allow multiple devices to access the shared Ethernet channel. The Ethernet packet, or frame, consists of a standardized set of fields used to carry data over the system.
2. Wide Area Networks
Interconnected LAN networks or individual users located in multiple physical locations are known as Wide Area Networks (WAN). The interconnections are performed via services such as dedicated leased phone lines, digital subscriber lines, dial-up phone lines, satellite links, and data packet carrier services. Wide area networking can be as simple as providing modems and a remote access server to allow remote users to dial in; or it can be as complex as linking hundreds of branch offices across the world using special routing protocols. Once type of WAN interconnection mechanism is Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line.
3. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a communication system that operates over existing twisted-pair telephone lines between a central office and a residential or business location. It is generally a point-to-point connection between two dedicated devices, as opposed to multi-point, where numerous devices share the same physical medium.
FIG. 1
illustrates a typical ADSL communication system.
ADSL supports bit transmission rates of up to approximately 6 Mbps in the downstream direction (to a subscriber device at the home), but only 640 Kbps in the upstream direction (to the service provider/central office). ADSL connections actually have three separate information channels: two data channels and a POTS channel. The first data channel is a high-speed downstream channel used to convey information to the subscriber. Its data rate is adaptable and ranges from 1.5 to 6.1 Mbps. The second data channel is a medium speed duplex channel providing bi-directional communication between the subscriber and the service provider/central office. Its rate is also adaptable and the rates range from 16 to 640 kbps. The third information channel is a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) channel. The POTS channel is typically not processed directly by the ADSL modems—the POTS channel operates in the standard POTS frequency range and is processed by standard POTS devices after being split from the ADSL signal.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard T1.413, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, specifies an ADSL standard that is widely followed in the telecommunications industry. The ANSI ADSL standard specifies a modulation technique known as Discrete Multi-Tone modulation.
4. Discrete Multi-Tone Modulation
Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) uses a large number of subcarrier channels that are spaced close togeth
Shieh Paul
Wang Ray
3Com Corporation
Ho Duc
McDonnell Beohnen Hulbert & Berghoff
Nguyen Steven
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