Method and apparatus for extending point-to-point/asynchronous transfer mode services to client computer systems

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sets of instructions which, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to:

• identify a broadband modem and selecting from a plurality of broadband modems using a Broadband modem access protocol (BMAP) unit including a modem identification, unit corresponding to the broadband modem, the BMAP unit is associated with a BMAP-compliant broadband modem (broadband modem) coupled with a network controller via a connection;
• perform at least one of the following using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) unit:
• ATM signaling, segmentation, and re-assembly procedures on ATM cells forwarded between the broadband modem and the network controller;
• transmit a discovery acknowledge message to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a client system in response to a discovery signal from the client system;
• receive identification of data formats;
• transmit a poll acknowledgement message to the client system in response to receiving a poll message from the client system;
• put the broadband modem into a sleep state in response to receiving a sleep message from the client system;
• and
• transfer the ATM cells between the broadband modem and the network controller, after a wake-up pattern is sent to the broadband modem.

A method, comprising:

• forwarding Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells between a broadband modem access protocol (BMAP)-compliant broadband modem and a network controller using an ATM unit, wherein the broadband modem, coupled with a bus and the network controller, is identified and selected from a plurality of broadband modems using a modem identification unit of a BMAP unit;
• discovering a modem identification corresponding to the broadband modem using the modem identification unit of the BMAP unit;
• transmitting a discovery acknowledge message to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a client system in response to a discovery signal from the client system using a modem identification unit;
• receiving identification of data formats using a format negotiation unit, the format negotiation unit coupled with the modem identification unit;
• transmitting a poll acknowledgement message to the system in response to receiving a poll message from the client system using a binding acknowledgement unit, the binding acknowledgement unit coupled with the format negotiation unit;
• putting the broadband modem into a sleep state in response to receiving a sleep message from the client system using a power management unit, the power management unit coupled with the binding acknowledgement unit;
• and
• transferring the ATM cells between the broadband modem and the network controller, after a wake-up pattern is sent to the broadband modem, using a data transfer unit, the data transfer unit coupled with the power management unit.

A system, comprising:

• an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) unit to forward ATM cells between a broadband modem access protocol (BMAP)-compliant broadband modem and a network controller, wherein the broadband modem, coupled with a bus and the network controller, is identified and selected from a plurality of broadband modems using a modem identification unit of a BMAP unit;
• and
• the BMAP unit including:
• the modem identification unit to discover a modem identification corresponding to the broadband modem, and to transmit a discovery acknowledge message to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of a client system in response to a discovery signal from the client system,
• a format negotiation unit coupled with the modem identification unit, the format negotiation unit to receive identification of data formats,
• a binding acknowledgement unit coupled with the format negotiation unit, the binding acknowledgement unit to transmit a poll acknowledgement message to the client system in response to receiving a poll message from the client system,
• a power management unit coupled with the binding acknowledgement unit, the power management unit to put the broadband modem into a sleep state in response to receiving a sleep message from the client system, and
• a data transfer unit coupled with the power management unit, the data transfer unit to transfer the ATM cells between the broadband modem and the network controller, after a wake-up pattern is sent to the broadband modem.