By Sebnem Ozer, Ph.D., De Fu Li, Jason Combs, Bob Gaydos, Dan Rice; COMCAST
Network device provisioning (NDP) is a key component of the end-to-end system for service order fulfillment and activation. NDP is responsible for the configuration and service provisioning of subscriber’s network devices. The DOCSIS network devices are the D2.0, D3.0, D3.1 and soon D4.0 modems, and their derivatives, such as set-top-box (STB) with embedded cable modem, media terminal adaptor with embedded cable modem (eMTA), eRouter, and more.
The number of device types, along with the number of available services applies a multiplication factor in the number of configuration files needed to provision. In the process of supporting tens of millions of individual devices and hundreds of services, the NDP of today is managing millions of DOCSIS configuration files. As network operators continue to invest in the roadmap to 10G, expanded network capabilities will add to the number of permutations of service and the number of device types involved. In addition, customers are expecting greater service agility in terms of faster development, deployment, and support for these innovative products and services offerings.
Although the DOCSIS subscriber management term is used extensively, currently the provisioning and management are done at the device level. This paper discusses an approach to modernizing today’s device management and introduces new management systems with the goal of maintaining backward compatibility, employing network automation with dynamic service assurance, and increasing service activation velocity in support of the 10G technology roadmap. Use cases for current and possible future services are also covered towards a real subscriber management system.