VDSL data network, service and management architecture

A method of assigning IP addresses to end user PCs in a VDSL based broadband communication network, said network comprising a headend connected to an Internet service provider, the method comprising:

• assigning a private network IP address to all network elements in the headend used to provide data services for the end user PCs and associated residential gateways connected to the VDSL network;
• assigning private network IP addresses to residential gateways to enable Pay-Per-View services;
• assigning to the end user PCs a private network IP address selected from a pool of private network IP addresses as a default procedure;
• and
• selectively assigning public IP addresses to end user PCs that can not be properly served using a private network IP address.

A VDSL based broadband data communication network system capable of allowing selectable bit rate delivery to end users comprising:

• a central office connected to communicate ATM signals to a plurality of end user personal computer (PC) terminals;
• a headend connected to an Internet service provider and the central office, and arranged to receive and send multi-protocol traffic signals to the Internet service provider, and receive and send ATM signals to the central office, wherein the headend is further arranged to manage signal switching and routing based on a predetermined level of signal quality and transfer rate associated with a type of service provided to a particular end user, the headend including a broadband management system;
• and
• an element manager system connected to the headend and the central office;
• wherein the broadband management system and element manager system are arranged to configure, provision, and monitor access elements located in the central office, as well as network connection devices connected at the end user location to control end user access to available services.

A VDSL based broadband data communication network system capable of allowing selectable bit rate delivery to end users comprising:

• a central office connected to communicate ATM signals to a plurality of end user personal computer (PC) terminals;
• and
• a headend connected to an Internet service provider and the central office, and arranged to receive and send multi-protocol traffic signals to the Internet service provider, and receive and send ATM signals to the central office, wherein the headend is further arranged to manage signal switching and routing based on a predetermined level of signal quality and transfer rate associated with a type of service provided to a particular end user;
• wherein a VDSL platform is provided having a flexible VDSL data architecture for supporting streaming of video and audio, and voice over IP.