Map routing technique implemented in access networks

A method for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the Head End including a first physical line card having a first interface for accessing a first portion of the upstream and downstream channels, and a second physical line card having a second interface for accessing a second portion of the upstream and downstream channels, the method comprising:

• identifying a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first physical interface, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• identifying particular downstream channels, including a first downstream channel, over which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is associated with the second interface;
• each of the identified downstream channels being used to communicate with at least one respective network node adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel;
• and
• transmitting the first channel MAP messages over the identified downstream channels, including the first downstream channel via the second interface.

In an access network having at least one downstream load sharing group of downstream channels and at least one upstream load sharing group of upstream channels, the group of upstream channels including a first upstream channel accessible via a first interface associated with a first physical linecard, the group of downstream channels including a first downstream channel accessible via a second interface associated with a second physical linecard;

• a method for perform channel MAP message forwarding comprising:
• identifying a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first physical interface, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• identifying at least one downstream channel, including a first downstream channel, on which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is accessible via the second interface;
• and
• forwarding a selected channel MAP message associated with the first upstream channel to selected downstream channels in the downstream load sharing group, including the first downstream channel.

A computer program product for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the Head End including a first physical line card having a first interface for accessing a first portion of the upstream and downstream channels, and a second physical line card having a second interface for accessing a second portion of the upstream and downstream channels, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code comprising:
• computer code for identifying a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first physical interface, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• computer code for identifying at least one downstream channel, including a first downstream channel, on which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is accessible via the second interface;
• and
• computer code for forwarding a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the interfaces associated with each of the identified downstream channels, including the second interface associated with the first downstream channel.

A system for transmitting channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the Head End including a first physical line card having a first interface for accessing a first portion of the upstream and downs channels, and a second physical line card having a second interface for accessing a second portion of the upstream and downstream channels, the system comprising:

• means for identifying a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first physical interface, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• means for identifying particular downstream channels, including a first downstream channel, over which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is associated with the second interface;
• each of the identified downstream channels being used to communicate with at least one respective network node adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel;
• and
• means for transmitting the first channel MAP messages over the identified downstream channels, including the first downstream channel via the second interface.

A system for forwarding channel MAP messages to selected channels in an access network, the access network including a plurality of upstream and downstream channels for providing communication between network nodes and a Head End of the access network, the system comprising:

• at least one processor,
• memory;
• and
• a first physical line card having a first interface for accessing a first portion of the upstream and downstream channels;
• the second physical line card having a second interface for accessing a second portion of the upstream and downstream channels;
• the system being configured or designed to identify a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• the system being configured or designed to identify at least one downstream channel, including a first downstream channel, on which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is accessible via the second interface;
• the system being further configured or designed to forward a copy of the first channel MAP message to each of the interfaces associated with each of the identified downstream channels, including the second interface associated with the first downstream channel.

An access network comprising:

• a plurality of network nodes;
• a Head End configured or designed to communicate with the plurality of nodes via a plurality of upstream and downstream channels, the Head End including:
• at least one processor;
• memory;
• a first physical line card having a first interface for accessing a first portion of the upstream and downstream channels;
• and
• a second physical line card having a second interface for accessing a second portion of the upstream and downstream channels
• the access network being configured or designed to identify a first channel MAP message associated with a first upstream channel, the first upstream channel being accessible via the first physical interface, the first channel MAP message including bandwidth allocation map information relating to at least one available timeslot transmission opportunity on the first upstream channel during a first time period;
• the access network being further configured or designed to identify particular downs channels, including a first downstream channel, over which the first channel MAP message is to be transmitted, wherein the first downstream channel is associated with the second interface;
• each of the identified downstream channels being used to communicate with at least one respective network node adapted to communicate with the Head End via the first upstream channel;
• and
• the access network being further configured or designed to transmit the first channel MAP messages over the identified downs channels, including the first downstream channel via the second interface.