By Andrew Smith, Colby Barth, Juniper Networks and Saif Rahman, Comcast
The DOCSIS system does not directly define a service offered to a subscriber. The use of classifiers, service-flows and the like define the parameters around a service – typically IP high-speed-data, L3VPN, or L2VPN but does not make any attempt to define, or enhance, the actual service delivered over DOCSIS. This paper will examine the role that Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), an effort within the Software Defined Networking (SDN) community, can play as an enhancement to data services delivered via DOCSIS. We will examine benefits of NFV, propose an integration scheme of NFV and DOCSIS, and explore some potential use cases of this enhanced DOCSIS services architecture. This integration can increase network efficiency, enable new revenue opportunities, and permit rapid service innovation.