Evolution and Revolution: The DOCSIS® 4.0 Network

The Revolutionary Network, Part 1: DAA

DAA technology leverages your existing HFC cable access network architecture to remake and redeploy the edge of your network by replacing traditional optical modules in an access node with an RxD module. DAA eliminates traditional headend optics, using instead a virtualized, decentralized approach that replaces analog fiber technology with IP-based transport over digital fiber links. Analog headend links are also replaced in favor of a digital fiber Ethernet link, which increases available bandwidth by expanding the number of available wavelengths that can be used in the network.

The result? A software-defined, potentially all-fiber network that can speed the transition from your traditional, coaxial-based HFC network architecture, provide better spectral efficiencies, and improve your network’s overall performance. Other DAA benefits include:

• Enhanced performance via digital Ethernet links
• Migration to centralized data centers
• Flexible advertising, channel lineups, and bandwidth management

DAA networks use one of two approaches at the edge of the network. Remote PHY (R-PHY) operation moves DOCSIS signal generation out of the headend and into a Remote PHY Device (RPD) located in an access node.

  Typical R-PHY Network Architecture  

Remote MACPHY (R-MACPHY) does the same for DOCSIS signal generation and processing.

Typical R-MACPHY Network Architecture

Which DAA solution you select will depend on several factors, primarily centered around cost of deployment, the extent to which the solution supports virtualization, and which solution is the best fit for your network. Both R-PHY and R-MACPHY operation, however, share significantly greater operational flexibility and scalability than traditional HFC cable access network architectures.  

The Revolutionary Network: Part 2: Node PON

Node PON supports both full fiber operation and selective deployments that supplement your existing HFC cable access network with a cloud-to-edge approach that lets you choose between an EPON network—which requires minimal changes to your headend and CPE architecture—or a GPON network, which maximizes network performance and restructures your back-office infrastructure .

Typical Node PON Network Architecture

CommScope’s node-based approach maintains DOCSIS provisioning compatibility with 10G EPON. Node PON can also utilize XGS PON—with SDN-based Domain Management—for network provisioning and telemetry gathering. Both approaches provide a seamless and efficient way to drive fiber deeper into your network, and they can reduce the energy, maintenance, and operational requirements of your traditional headends.

CommScope’s R-OLT device supports both leading PON technologies: IEEE EPON/10G EPON and ITU GPON/XGS-PON. Fully compliant with CableLabs® DPoE v2.0 standards, IEEE EPON/10G EPON can operate on your current CPE and headend architecture with minimal changes, reducing your cost of deployment. ITU GPON/XGS-PON operates from a cloud-based PON domain manager that supports platform interoperability for provisioning, ONU management, zero-touch on-boarding, and provisioning speeds deployment.

You can choose either PON technology to evolve your existing Brownfield networks or expand your network via a Greenfield build.  

Revolutionizing the Headend: Virtual vCCAP and vBNG Evo™

Revolutionary DAA and Node PON networks push traditional headend or central office processing to the edge of the network. In DAA networks, this means moving DOCSIS signal generation (Remote PHY, or R-PHY) or DOCSIS signal generation and processing (Remote MACPHY, or R-MACPHY) out of the headend and into a module in an access node. In Node PON operation, the Optical Line Terminal (OLT) is moved out of the central office into a module in an access node or virtual hub. Virtualized headend operation significantly improves network capacity, lowers operating costs, speeds time to market, and supports the seamless provisioning and configuration of devices.

vCCAP Evo

CommScope’s DAA solutions are supported by vCCAP Evo, a virtualized, cloud-native Converged Cable Access Platform that fully supports legacy I-CCAP functionality. vCCAP Evo runs off commodity x86 servers that you can locate at centralized and/or distributed locations. This approach enables you to deploy a hybrid configuration in which both the vCCAP Evo and your legacy I-CCAP operate together, so you can smoothly transition to full virtualized operation at your own pace.

vCCAP Evo simplifies DAA operation by supporting the disaggregation and reallocation of functions. You can therefore initiate DAA operation with Remote PHY but later switch to Remote MACPHY operation if, for example, you need to retire aging headends. vCCAP Evo’s support for CableLabs’ YANG models, which enable third party solutions to provision and monitor DAA nodes, helps to further simply your transition to DAA operation by leveraging your existing network assets. Additionally, vCCAP Evo’s container-based design scales easily to support any number of RPDs as you expand your DAA deployments.

vBNG Evo

vBNG Evo, a virtualized Broadband Network Gateway router, is a cloud-native platform for both Open Stack and container-based cloud networks. The vBNG Evo acts as the access point for broadband subscribers, connecting CPE devices in the home to either the Network Service Provider (NSP) or Internet Service Provider (ISP) and establishing and managing subscriber sessions. The vBNG features a unique design that disaggregates network functions, streamlines packet flows, and enables independent, dynamic scaling of control and data planes. Used in conjunction with a node-based R-OLT device, the vBNG Evo provides you with the performance, scaling, and flexibility you need to virtualize the delivery of high-speed data, voice, and video to broadband subscribers.

vBNG Evo eliminates the need for Broadband Remote Access Servers (BRAS) and legacy BNG chassis. The vBNG Evo’s disaggregated architecture enables you to distribute data planes to remote central offices closer to subscribers’ locations while keeping the data plane at a data center or regional central office. This design also supports independent scaling of the control and data planes, with the data plane scalable to Tbps and the control plane scalable from 256, 000 to five million. The result is more flexible and efficient than BRAS/chassis operation.