RE: [EFM] EFM Requirements
Francois,
Correction: there are more than 2 DOCSIS Si vendors:
- BroadCom
- Connexant
- Texas Instruments
- STMicroelectronics
In addition, Scientific Atlanta and Pacific Broadband have both developed
their own silicon
for DOCSIS 1.0/1.1. The protocol is rock solid and it works in millions of
CM's deployed.
Harry.
-----Original Message-----
From: Francois D. Menard [mailto:f.menard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 8:23 AM
To: 'Geoff Thompson'; bob.barrett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 'Lough, Andy'
Cc: 'Sherman Ackley'; 'stds-802-3-efm'
Subject: RE: [EFM] EFM Requirements
As a result of the complexity of DOCSIS, there are about only two
vendors of silicon at the moment.
Not the way to go IMHO.
-=Francois=-
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-stds-802-3-efm@majordomo.ieee.org
[mailto:owner-stds-802-3-efm@majordomo.ieee.org] On Behalf Of Fletcher E
Kittredge
Sent: August 16, 2001 4:51 PM
To: Lough, Andy
Cc: Geoff Thompson; bob.barrett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Sherman Ackley;
stds-802-3-efm
Subject: Re: [EFM] EFM Requirements
On Wed, 15 Aug 2001 22:58:28 +0100 "Lough, Andy" wrote:
> for those of us unaware of docsis, could you perhaps highlight the key
> areas that make it especially attractive?
I will try!
One significant advantage is that enjoyed by Ethernet: DOCSIS is a well
known protocol with millions of units deployed. That means that the
chips are cheap, the software is cheap and the labor is cheap (lots of
documentation and people who are already familiar with DOCSIS.)
DOCSIS does an excellent job of modem control. The Network Operator can
effectively monitor and adminstrate the CPE (modem.)
DOCSIS plays well with the Internet Protocol and Ethernet suite by
reuses existing designs. It uses Ethernet, ARP, IP, tftp, SNMP and
DHCP. These are well understood and debugged protocols which are cheap,
widely available and have many third party tools. They integrate well
with existing networks.
As a side-note, I understand a number of wireless modems have adopted
DOCSIS as well for the above reasons.
My experience is with DOCSIS 1.0. This version does not have as much
security as one would like. I understand that DOCSIS 1.1 attempts to
address security concerns, but I have no experience with 1.1.
If you would like to learn more, you can visit the cable companies
equivalent of Bellcore (Telcordia) at http://www.cablelabs.com. The
actual DOCSIS specifications are at:
http://www.cablemodem.com/specifications.html
which can also be found via the CableLabs site.
regards,
fletcher