Patent US6208656B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6208656B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for dynamically assigning link addresses and logical network addresses
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1997-04-11
•
Granted: 2001-03-27
•
Expires: 2017-04-11
Abstract
Abstract An asymmetrical network for coupling customer-premises Internet hosts such as personal computers to the Internet. The head end of a CATV system has a high-bandwidth connection to the Internet. The down link connecting the personal computers to the Internet is the cables provided by the CATV system; the up link is a telephone connection to the head end. A router is connected to the down link by means of an RF modem, to the up link by means of an analog modem, and to a LAN which is connected to the Pcs. The router routes IP packets for the hosts that are received on the CATV cable to the hosts via the LAN; it routes IP packets from the hosts that are destined for the Internet to the head end via the telephone line. The asymmetrical network conserves IP addresses and addresses on the CATV cable by dynamically allocating the IP addresses for an RF modem's hosts and an address on the CATV cable for the RF modem in response to a request made by the RF modem via the telephone line. It further saves IP addresses by assigning a non-unique IP address to the router for use inside the LAN. When the CATV system fails, the asymmetrical network automatically begins to use the telephone line as both the up link and the down link, and when the CATV system is restored, the asymmetrical network automatically returns to using the CATV cable as the down link and the telephone line as the up link. A further feature of the asymmetrical network is that the head end components and the RF modem have IP addresses, so that standard TCP/IP protocols can be used to control the asymmetrical network.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott E. Hrastar
- 👤 George Horkan Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/65; H04H20/76; H04H20/77; H04H20/78; H04H20/79; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2801; H04L12/2854; H04L12/2856; H04L12/2863; H04L12/2869; H04L12/287; H04L12/2872; H04L12/2874; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5691; H04L12/5692; H04L41/00; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213; H04L41/06; H04L41/0654; H04L41/0663; H04L41/0677; H04L61/00; H04L61/50; H04L61/5007; H04L61/5014; H04L61/5061; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L69/00; H04L69/40; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/258; H04N21/25808; H04N21/25816; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/42676; H04N21/60; H04N21/61; H04N21/6106; H04N21/6118; H04N21/6156; H04N21/6168; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04H60/00; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/82; H04H60/83; H04H60/84; H04L2101/00; H04L2101/60; H04L2101/604; H04L2101/618; H04L2101/622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method employed in an RF (radio frequency) modem for dynamically assigning a link address on an RF cable connection for said RF modem, the link address being used for communication of messages on said RF cable connection, the method comprising the steps performed in said RF modem of: requesting assignment via a bidirectional link for said link address by sending information including at least one specifier for said RF cable connection to a head end; and receiving from said head end via the bidirectional link information including said link address, said link address uniquely identifying said RF modem within said RF cable connection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method employed in an RF (radio frequency) modem for dynamically assigning a link address on an RF cable connection for said RF modem, the link address being used for communication of messages on said RF cable connection, the method comprising the steps performed in said RF modem of: requesting assignment via a bidirectional link for said link address by sending information including at least one specifier for said RF cable connection to a head end; and receiving from said head end via the bidirectional link information including said link address, said link address uniquely identifying said RF modem within said RF cable connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said RF cable connection is a communications medium which operates using a link-level protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said bidirectional link is a communications medium which operates using a link-level protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said RF cable connection has a plurality of channels multiplexed onto said RF cable connection so that a channel of said plurality of channels is separated by frequency from each other channel of said plurality of channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein a plurality of frames are multiplexed onto said channel so that each frame of said plurality of frames only uses said channel for a portion of time that said channel can be used.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein a fixed number of packets, N, are multiplexed into a first frame of said plurality of frames so that an i th packet of said fixed number of packets is always at a static, computably fixed bit position relative to a header at the start of said first frame, and given that i is an integer between 0 and N+1(0<i<N+1).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein a packet of said fixed number of packets comprises a packet payload and a packet header, said packet header comprising a header ID number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said link address is used by said RF modem to select said packet payload on said RF cable connection that said RF modem should process, said link address further comprising: a channel ID used to uniquely select said channel utilized in said RF cable connection by said RF modem; a pipe ID used to uniquely select a static, computably fixed bit position within said first frame where said RF modem should examine first information communicated in said first frame; and a link ID used to uniquely identify said packet within said first information communicated in said first frame by matching said link ID to said header ID number, said packet comprising said packet payload that said RF modem should process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said bidirectional link is an analog, telephone line connection to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one specifier for said RF cable connection is a stream ID (STRID) that allows said head end to uniquely identify said RF cable connection that said RF modem is connected to, and allows said head end to assign said link address to said RF modem.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of requesting said assignment by sending information, including said at least one specifier for said RF cable connection, and the step of receiving information, including said link address, are accomplished using a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein at least one vendor-encapsulated-option of a DHCP datagram is used to convey said at least one specifier for said RF cable connection.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
195 words
A method employed in a first RF (radio frequency) modem, the method for obtaining an automated, dynamic assignment of a first link address, the method comprising the steps performed in the first RF modem of: requesting assignment of the first link address for the first RF modem, the assignment request made by sending first information to at least one server, the first RF modem being one of a plurality of RF modems that are connected to a data network, the data network comprising an RF cable connection, the plurality of RF modems being connected to the RF cable connection, the first link address being one of a plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection, each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems being uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection; and receiving second information from the at least one server, the second information comprising the first link address, the first RF modem being associated with the first link address to uniquely identify the first RF modem in the RF cable connection.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
195 words
A method employed in a first RF (radio frequency) modem, the method for obtaining an automated, dynamic assignment of a first link address, the method comprising the steps performed in the first RF modem of: requesting assignment of the first link address for the first RF modem, the assignment request made by sending first information to at least one server, the first RF modem being one of a plurality of RF modems that are connected to a data network, the data network comprising an RF cable connection, the plurality of RF modems being connected to the RF cable connection, the first link address being one of a plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection, each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems being uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection; and receiving second information from the at least one server, the second information comprising the first link address, the first RF modem being associated with the first link address to uniquely identify the first RF modem in the RF cable connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one server is connected to the data network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection comprise a plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses, the plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses comprising the first link address, the at least one server capable of managing dynamic assignment of the plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein at any point in time each link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection is capable of being associated with only one RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, each link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection having a uniquely different value from each other link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein, the data network is connected between a head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems and wherein the RF cable connection is connected between the head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the data network further comprises at least one PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection, the at least one PSTN connection connected between the head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the first information is conveyed between the first RF modem and the at least one server through the data network and wherein the second information is conveyed between the first RF modem and the at least one server through the data network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the RF cable connection comprises at least one RF link.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the RF cable connection further comprises at least one modulator and at least one combiner.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is connected to the at least one RF link.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein the at least one RF link utilizes a link level protocol to convey information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the link level protocol is a protocol in which each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the first link address is utilized in communicating at least one first message with the first RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, the at least one first message being conveyed through the at least one RF link using the link level protocol, the at least one first message comprising third information communicated above the link level protocol with the first RF modem.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein a second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is associated with a second link address of the plurality of link addresses to uniquely identify the second RF modem in the RF cable connection, the second link address being utilized in communicating at least one second message with a second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, the at least one second message being conveyed through the at least one RF link using the link level protocol, the at least one second message comprising fourth information communicated above the link level protocol with the second RF modem.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the third information communicated above the link level protocol in the first message comprises a first at least one IP datagram and wherein the fourth information communicated above the link level protocol in the second message comprises a second at least one IP datagram.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein the at least one RF link is at least one physical link.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the RF cable connection has a plurality of channels multiplexed onto the at least one RF link so that each channel of the plurality of channels is separated by frequency from each other channel of the plurality of channels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
138 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein a channel of the plurality of channels is shared by the first RF modem and the second RF modem, the channel being shared so that communication with the first RF modem of the plurality of RF modems occurs during a first portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the communication with the first RF modem communicating the third information above the link level protocol, the channel further being shared so that communication with the second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems occurs during a second portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the communication with the second RF modem communicating the fourth information above the link level protocol, the first portion of time being different from the second portion of time.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein a plurality of frames are multiplexed onto the channel so that a frame of the plurality of frames only uses the channel for a third portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the third portion of time comprising the first portion of time and the second portion of time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 31 , wherein the first portion of time is at a first position within the third portion of time, the first position being determinable through a first computation, and wherein the second portion of time is at a second position within the third portion of time, the second position being determinable through a second computation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the first link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier used in the first computation for determining the first position of the first portion of time within the third portion of time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the first computation comprises multiplying the second identifier by a fixed amount of time and adding an offset amount related to a header of the frame.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the second link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier used in the second computation for determining the second position of the second portion of time within the third portion of time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 35 , wherein the second computation comprises multiplying the second identifier by a fixed amount of time and adding an offset amount related to a header of the frame.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein the first link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier, the second identifier identifying fifth information in the first portion of time, the identifying comprising a first evaluation of a relationship between the second identifier and the fifth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol, the fifth information comprising the third information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the first evaluation comprises a comparison of the second identifier with the fifth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein second link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier, the second identifier identifying sixth information in the second portion of time, the identifying comprising a second evaluation of a relationship between the second identifier and the sixth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol, the sixth information comprising the fourth information.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the second evaluation comprises a comparison of the second identifier with the sixth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for obtaining an automated, dynamic assignment of a first link address for a first RF (radio frequency) modem, the apparatus comprising: logic configured to request assignment of the first link address for the first RF modem, the assignment request made by sending first information to at least one server, the first RF modem being one of a plurality of RF modems that are connected to a data network, the data network comprising an RF cable connection, the plurality of RF modems being connected to the RF cable connection, the first link address being one of a plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection, each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems being uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection; and logic configured to receive second information from the at least one server, the second information comprising the first link address, the first RF modem being associated with the first link address to uniquely identify the first RF modem in the RF cable connection.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for obtaining an automated, dynamic assignment of a first link address for a first RF (radio frequency) modem, the apparatus comprising: logic configured to request assignment of the first link address for the first RF modem, the assignment request made by sending first information to at least one server, the first RF modem being one of a plurality of RF modems that are connected to a data network, the data network comprising an RF cable connection, the plurality of RF modems being connected to the RF cable connection, the first link address being one of a plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection, each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems being uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection; and logic configured to receive second information from the at least one server, the second information comprising the first link address, the first RF modem being associated with the first link address to uniquely identify the first RF modem in the RF cable connection.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the at least one server is connected to the data network.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection comprise a plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses, the plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses comprising the first link address, the at least one server capable of managing dynamic assignment of the plurality of dynamically-assigned link addresses.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein at any point in time each link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection is capable of being associated with only one RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, each link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection having a uniquely different value from each other link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 41 , wherein, the data network is connected between a head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems and wherein the RF cable connection is connected between the head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the data network further comprises at least one PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection, the at least one PSTN connection connected between the head end and each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 45 , wherein the first information is conveyed between the first RF modem and the at least one server through the data network and wherein the second information is conveyed between the first RF modem and the at least one server through the data network.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein the RF cable connection comprises at least one RF link.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 48 , wherein the RF cable connection further comprises at least one modulator and at least one combiner.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 48 , wherein each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is connected to the at least one RF link.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the at least one RF link utilizes a link level protocol to convey information.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the link level protocol is a protocol in which each RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is uniquely identified in the RF cable connection responsive to being associated with at least one link address of the plurality of link addresses for the RF cable connection.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 51 , wherein the first link address is utilized in communicating at least one first message with the first RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, the at least one first message being conveyed through the at least one RF link using the link level protocol, the at least one first message comprising third information communicated above the link level protocol with the first RF modem.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus of claim 53 , wherein a second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems is associated with a second link address of the plurality of link addresses to uniquely identify the second RF modem in the RF cable connection, the second link address being utilized in communicating at least one second message with a second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems, the at least one second message being conveyed through the at least one RF link using the link level protocol, the at least one second message comprising fourth information communicated above the link level protocol with the second RF modem.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 54 , wherein the third information communicated above the link level protocol in the first message comprises a first at least one IP datagram and wherein the fourth information communicated above the link level protocol in the second message comprises a second at least one IP datagram.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 54 , wherein the at least one RF link is at least one physical link.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 56 , wherein the RF cable connection has a plurality of channels multiplexed onto the at least one RF link so that each channel of the plurality of channels is separated by frequency from each other channel of the plurality of channels.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
138 words
The apparatus of claim 57 , wherein a channel of the plurality of channels is shared by the first RF modem and the second RF modem, the channel being shared so that communication with the first RF modem of the plurality of RF modems occurs during a first portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the communication with the first RF modem communicating the third information above the link level protocol, the channel further being shared so that communication with the second RF modem of the plurality of RF modems occurs during a second portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the communication with the second RF modem communicating the fourth information above the link level protocol, the first portion of time being different from the second portion of time.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 58 , wherein a plurality of frames are multiplexed onto the channel so that a frame of the plurality of frames only uses the channel for a third portion of time that the channel is capable of being used, the third portion of time comprising the first portion of time and the second portion of time.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the first portion of time is at a first position within the third portion of time, the first position being determinable through a first computation, and wherein the second portion of time is at a second position within the third portion of time, the second position being determinable through a second computation.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 60 , wherein the first link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier used in the first computation for determining the first position of the first portion of time within the third portion of time.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 61 , wherein the first computation comprises multiplying the second identifier by a fixed amount of time and adding an offset amount related to a header of the frame.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 60 , wherein the second link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier used in the second computation for determining the second position of the second portion of time within the third portion of time.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 63 , wherein the second computation comprises multiplying the second identifier by a fixed amount of time and adding an offset amount related to a header of the frame.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 58 , wherein the first link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier, the second identifier identifying fifth information in the first portion of time, the identifying comprising a first evaluation of a relationship between the second identifier and the fifth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol, the fifth information comprising the third information.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 65 , wherein the first evaluation comprises a comparison of the second identifier with the fifth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 58 , wherein second link address comprises a first identifier for the channel of the plurality of channels and further comprises a second identifier, the second identifier identifying sixth information in the second portion of time, the identifying comprising a second evaluation of a relationship between the second identifier and the sixth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol, the sixth information comprising the fourth information.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 67 , wherein the second evaluation comprises a comparison of the second identifier with the sixth information conveyed on the at least one RF link utilizing the link level protocol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |