By Andrew Page, John T. Chapman, Carmelo Iaria, Glenn McGilvray
The CableLabs® Modular Cable Modem Termination System (M-CMTSTM) series of specifications introduces powerful new tools to enhance the architecture of the CMTS. Cable operators have several options for migrating from the current DOCSIS architecture to the M-CMTS architecture, and must evaluate the options relative to their individual success criteria to determine how best to migrate to M-CMTS. To assist cable operators in formulating an M-CMTS migration strategy, this paper provides an overview of the options and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The paper identifies and analyzes key criteria for selecting the M-CMTS Core and Edge QAM (EQAM) options and concludes with a recommended approach for migrating to an M-CMTS architecture.