IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,376,718
Granted Patent B2
US 7,376,718 · App. 10/619,262 · Granted May 20, 2008

System and method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,376,718
App. No.
10/619,262
Granted
May 20, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network. A dynamic TFTP (DTFTP) server and a CMTS manage the provisioning of devices in a cable network. The DTFTP server and the CMTS share common provisioning parameters. A provisioning parameter has a name and a value. When changes are made in the value of a provisioning parameter that is also used by a CMTSs supported by that DTFTP server, the DTFTP server securely communicates the new provisioning parameter values to each such CMTS. In one embodiment of the present invention, the DTFTP server pushes the new provisioning parameter values to the CMTSs. In another embodiment of the present invention, a poller pulls the provisioning parameters from the DTFTP server to a central datastore where changes in provisioning parameters used by the CMTSs supported by the DTFTP are identified. The changed provisioning parameter values are pushed from the central datastore to the CMTSs.

Claims (39)

1. A system for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network, the system comprising:

a communication link;

a DTFTP server, wherein the DTFTP server utilizes a first set of provisioning parameters;

a CMTS supported by the DTFTP server, wherein the CMTS uses a second set of provisioning parameters and wherein the first set of provisioning parameters and the second set of provisioning parameters share one or more common provisioning parameters; and

wherein the DTFTP server is adapted to:

receive a change to the first set of provisioning parameters;

make a determination as to whether the change is to one of the one or more common provisioning parameters;

in the event that the change is to one of the one of the one or more common provisioning parameters, send the changed common provisioning parameter to the CMTS via the communication link, wherein the second set of provisioning parameters is updated with the changed common provisioning parameter.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication link is an IP network.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a shared secret.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a filter table pointer.

5. A method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network, wherein the network comprises a DTFTP server utilizing a first set of provisioning parameters and a CMTS supported by the DTFTP server and utilizing a second set of provisioning parameters, and wherein the first set of provisioning parameters and the second set of provisioning parameters share one or more common provisioning parameters, the method comprising:

receiving a change to the first set of provisioning parameters;

making a determination as to whether the change is to one of the one or more common provisioning parameters;

in the event that the change is to one of the one or more common provisioning parameters, sending the changed common provisioning parameter to the CMTS via a communication link, wherein the second set of provisioning parameters is updated with the changed common provisioning parameter.

6. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 5 , wherein the communication link is an IP network.

7. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 5 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a shared secret.

8. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 5 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a filter table pointer.

9. A system for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network, the system comprising a communication link, a poller, a DTFTP server, a central datastore, and a CMTS supported by the DTFTP server, wherein:

the DTFTP server utilizes a first set of provisioning parameters;

the CMTS uses a second set of provisioning parameters and wherein the first set of provisioning parameters and the second set of provisioning parameters share one or more common provisioning parameters;

the poller is adapted to obtain the first set of provisioning parameters from the DTFTP server; and

the central datastore is adapted to:

receive the first set of provisioning parameters from the poller;

make a first determination whether the first set of provisioning parameters differ from a last previous first set of provisioning parameters located at the central datastore;

in the event the first set of provisioning parameters differ from a last previous first set of provisioning parameters located at the central datastore, make a second determination whether a change has occurred in one of the one or more common provisioning parameters; and

in the event that the change is to one of the one or more common provisioning parameters, send the changed common provisioning parameter to the CMTS via the communication link wherein the second set of provisioning parameters is updated with the changed common provisioning parameter.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the communication link is an IP network.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a shared secret.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a filter table pointer.

13. A method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network, wherein the network comprises a poller, a central datastore, a DTFTP server utilizing a first set of provisioning parameters and a CMTS supported by the DTFTP server and utilizing a second set of provisioning parameters, and wherein the first set of provisioning parameters and the second set of provisioning parameters share one or more common provisioning parameters, the method comprising:

at the poller, obtaining the first set of provisioning parameters from the DTFTP server; at the central datastore:

receiving the first set of provisioning parameters from the poller;

making a first determination whether the first set of provisioning parameters differ from a last previous first set of provisioning parameters located at the central datastore;

in the event the first set of provisioning parameters differ from a last previous first set of provisioning parameters located at the central datastore, making a second determination whether a change has occurred in one of the one or more common provisioning parameters; and

in the event that the change is to one of the one or more common provisioning parameters, sending the changed common provisioning parameter to the CMTS via the communication link wherein the second set of provisioning parameters is updated with the changed common provisioning parameter.

14. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 13 , wherein the communication link is an IP network.

15. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 13 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a shared secret.

16. The method for managing provisioning parameters in a cable network of claim 13 , wherein the common provisioning parameter is a filter table pointer.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2018
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC
To: WELLS FARGO TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046630/0193 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: ADCAST NORTH CAROLINA CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; ALABANZA LLC; AMERICA'S JOB EXCHANGE LLC; COAXIAL COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC; DUKENET COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; ICI HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT BLOCKER LLC; INSIGHT CAPITAL LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS MIDWEST, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF CENTRAL OHIO, LLC; INSIGHT COMMUNICATIONS OF KENTUCKY, L.P.; INSIGHT INTERACTIVE, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY CAPITAL, LLC; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS I, L.P.; INSIGHT KENTUCKY PARTNERS II, L.P.; INSIGHT MIDWEST HOLDINGS, LLC; INSIGHT MIDWEST, L.P.; INSIGHT PHONE OF INDIANA, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF KENTUCKY, LLC; INSIGHT PHONE OF OHIO, LLC; INTERACTIVE CABLE SERVICES, LLC; INTREPID ACQUISITION LLC; NAVISITE LLC; NEW WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT LLC; OCEANIC TIME WARNER CABLE LLC; PARITY ASSETS, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE BUSINESS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ARIZONA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (COLORADO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (HAWAII), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (IDAHO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (ILLINOIS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KANSAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (KENTUCKY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MAINE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MASSACHUSETTS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (MISSOURI), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEBRASKA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW HAMPSHIRE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW JERSEY), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW MEXICO) LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NEW YORK), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (NORTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (OHIO), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (PENNSYLVANIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (SOUTH CAROLINA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TENNESSEE), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (TEXAS), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WASHINGTON), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WEST VIRGINIA), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INFORMATION SERVICES (WISCONSIN), LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNATIONAL LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS III LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET HOLDINGS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE INTERNET LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MEDIA LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE MIDWEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NEW YORK CITY LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE NORTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE PACIFIC WEST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SERVICES LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SOUTHEAST LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE SPORTS LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE TEXAS LLC; TWC ADMINISTRATION LLC; TWC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; TWC DIGITAL PHONE LLC; TWC MEDIA BLOCKER LLC; TWC NEWCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING HOLDCO LLC; TWC NEWS AND LOCAL PROGRAMMING LLC; TWC REGIONAL SPORTS NETWORK I LLC; TWC SECURITY LLC; TWC SEE HOLDCO LLC; TWC WIRELESS LLC; TWC/CHARTER DALLAS CABLE ADVERTISING, LLC; TWCIS HOLDCO LLC; WISCONSIN PROCUREMENT HOLDCO LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (ALABAMA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (CALIFORNIA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (FLORIDA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (INDIANA), LLC; BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS INFORMATION SERVICES (MICHIGAN), LLC; BHN SPECTRUM INVESTMENTS, LLC; BHN HOME SECURITY SERVICES, LLC; AMERICAN CABLE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, LLC; ATHENS CABLEVISION, LLC; AUSABLE CABLE TV, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND HOLDINGS, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF COLORADO, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF MONTANA, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF UTAH, LLC; BRESNAN BROADBAND OF WYOMING, LLC; BRESNAN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; BRESNAN DIGITAL SERVICES, LLC; BRESNAN MICROWAVE OF MONTANA, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES COLORADO, LLC; CABLE EQUITIES OF COLORADO MANAGEMENT LLC CC 10, LLC; CC FIBERLINK, LLC; CC MICHIGAN, LLC; CC SYSTEMS, LLC; CC V HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VI FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VI OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CC VII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII FIBERLINK, LLC; CC VIII HOLDINGS, LLC; CC VIII OPERATING, LLC; CC VIII, LLC; CCO FIBERLINK, LLC; CCO HOLDCO TRANSFERS VII, LLC; CCO LP, LLC; CCO NR HOLDINGS, LLC; CCO PURCHASING, LLC; CCO SOCAL I, LLC; CCO SOCAL II, LLC; CCO SOCAL VEHICLES, LLC; CCO TRANSFERS, LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (AL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (CT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (GA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IL), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (IN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (KY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (LA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MD), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MO), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MS), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (MT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NE), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (NY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OH), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (OR), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (PA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (SC), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (TX), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (UT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (VT), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WA), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WV), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES (WY), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MI), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (MN), LLC; CHARTER ADVANCED SERVICES VIII (WI), LLC; CHARTER ADVERTISING OF SAINT LOUIS, LLC; CHARTER CABLE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER CABLE PARTNERS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT I, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT II, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OF CALIFORNIA, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CAPITAL CORP.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS PROPERTIES LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS V, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VENTURES, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VI, L.L.C.; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS VII, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; CHARTER DISTRIBUTION, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ALABAMA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - GEORGIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - ILLINOIS, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MARYLAND II, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MICHIGAN, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - MISSOURI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - NEBRASKA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - PENNSYLVANIA, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK - TENNESSEE, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK AR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CC VIII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK CT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK LA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK MS-CCVI, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NV-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK NY-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OH-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK OR-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK SC-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK TX-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VA-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK VT-CCO, LLC; CHARTER FIBERLINK WA-CCVII, LLC; CHARTER HELICON, LLC; CHARTER HOME SECURITY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING HOLDING COMPANY, LLC; CHARTER LEASING OF WISCONSIN, LLC; CHARTER RMG, LLC; CHARTER STORES FCN, LLC; CHARTER VIDEO ELECTRONICS, LLC; FALCON CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; FALCON CABLE MEDIA, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON CABLE SYSTEMS COMPANY II, L.P.; FALCON CABLEVISION, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON COMMUNITY CABLE, L.P.; FALCON COMMUNITY VENTURES I LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON FIRST CABLE OF THE SOUTHEAST, LLC; FALCON FIRST, LLC; FALCON TELECABLE, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; FALCON VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS, L.P.; HELICON PARTNERS I, L.P.; HOMETOWN T.V., LLC; HPI ACQUISITION CO. LLC; INTERLINK COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS, LLC; LONG BEACH, LLC; MARCUS CABLE ASSOCIATES, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE OF ALABAMA, L.L.C.; MARCUS CABLE, LLC; MIDWEST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, L.P.; PEACHTREE CABLE TV, LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (CA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; PHONE TRANSFERS (VA), LLC; PLATTSBURGH CABLEVISION, LLC; RENAISSANCE MEDIA LLC; RIFKIN ACQUISITION PARTNERS, LLC; ROBIN MEDIA GROUP, LLC; SCOTTSBORO TV CABLE, LLC TENNESSEE, LLC; THE HELICON GROUP, L.P.; VISTA BROADBAND COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (AL), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (CA) LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (GA), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (NC), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (TN), LLC; VOIP TRANSFERS (VA), LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 046567/0090 →
CHANGE OF APPLICANT'S ADDRESS Recorded Jul 28, 2017
From: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
Reel/Frame 043360/0992 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 18, 2016
From: BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS, LLC; CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC; TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 038747/0507 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 21, 2015
From: TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, L.P.
To: TIME WARNER CABLE ENTERPRISES LLC
Reel/Frame 034778/0037 →