Mixed-mode cable-based network

1. A method, in a controller, of allocating communication bandwidth in a mixed-mode cable-based network in which the network is operable to accommodate at least a first node that is operable in a first mode corresponding to a first communication band and at least a second node that is operable in a second mode corresponding to a second communication band different from the first communication band, the method comprising:

receiving a reservation request over the network for a communication from a source node of the network to a destination node of the network;

allocating communication bandwidth for the communication in the first communication band during a first timeslot;

selecting a pending reservation request for a pending communication;

analyzing a data structure stored in memory to determine whether performing the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable; and

if it is determined that the performing of the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable, then granting the selected first pending reservation request.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data structure stored in memory comprises a table that comprises bitloading information.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said analyzing comprises:

determining a network status that corresponds to a unique combination of two or more of the following parameters:

number of devices in transmit mode;

number of devices in receive mode; and

number of devices that are idle; and

determining, based at least in part on the network status, whether performing the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data structure comprises information indicating combinations of communications that are not allowed to be performed simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the data structure comprises, for each of a plurality of network statuses, information indicating bitloading and/or transmit power.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting the pending reservation request based, at least in part, on communication urgency.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said selecting comprises selecting the pending reservation request based, at least in part, on whether the pending communication cannot use and/or does not need to use the first communication band.

8. The method of claim 1 , comprising if it is determined that the performing of the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is not acceptable, then at least:

selecting a second pending reservation request for a second pending communication;

analyzing the data structure stored in memory to determine whether performing the second pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable; and

if it is determined that the performing of the second pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable, then granting the selected second pending reservation request.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein if a timer expires prior to granting a reservation request for a communication utilizing the second communication band during the first timeslot, then refraining from allocating the second communication band for a communication during the first timeslot.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mixed-mode cable-based network comprises a MoCA network.

11. A system comprising:

circuitry comprising a processor and memory for use in a controller of a mixed-mode cable-based network in which the network is operable to accommodate at least a first node that is operable in a first mode corresponding to a first communication band and at least a second node that is operable in a second mode corresponding to a second communication band different from the first communication band, wherein the circuitry is operable to, at least:

receive a reservation request over the network for a communication from a source node of the network to a destination node of the network;

allocate communication bandwidth for the communication in the first communication band during a first timeslot;

select a pending reservation request for a pending communication;

analyze a data structure stored in memory to determine whether performing the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable; and

if it is determined that the performing of the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable, then grant the selected first pending reservation request.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the data structure stored in memory comprises a table that comprises bitloading information.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry is operable to analyze the data structure stored in memory of the controller to determine whether performing the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable by, at least in part, operating to:

determine a network status that corresponds to a unique combination of two or more of the following parameters:

number of devices in transmit mode;

number of devices in receive mode; and

number of devices that are idle; and

determine, based at least in part on the network status, whether performing the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the data structure comprises information indicating combinations of communications that are not allowed to be performed simultaneously.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the data structure comprises, for each of a plurality of network status, information indicating bitloading and/or transmit power.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry is operable to select the pending reservation request based, at least in part, on communication urgency.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry is operable to select the pending reservation request based, at least in part, on whether the pending communication cannot use and/or does not need to use the first communication band.

18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry is operable to, if it is determined that the performing of the pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is not acceptable, then at least:

select a second pending reservation request for a second pending communication;

analyze the data structure stored in memory to determine whether performing the second pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable; and

if it is determined that the performing of the second pending communication on the second communication band during the first timeslot is acceptable, then grant the selected second pending reservation request.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the circuitry is operable to, if a timer expires prior to the circuitry granting a reservation request for a communication utilizing the second communication band during the first timeslot, then refrain from allocating the second communication band for a communication during the first timeslot.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the mixed-mode cable-based network comprises a MoCA network.