System and method for mapping end user identifiers to access device identifiers

A method for exchanging communications network data comprising:

• receiving first network data via a first input port and second network data via a second input port,
• converting the first network data into downstream data packets,
• switching a first portion of the downstream data packets to a first coaxial output port,
• converting the first portion of downstream data packets into first radio frequency data,
• transmitting, over a coaxial cable plant to a subscriber, the first radio frequency data at frequencies above 860 MHz from the first coaxial output port and the second network data as legacy data and video at frequencies below 860 MHz, and
• controlling the switching using a processor,
• wherein the first radio frequency data is transmitted over the coaxial cable plant above existing spectrum on the coaxial cable plant over point-to-point data links between network elements within a trunk/feeder system, wherein the trunk/feeder system comprises the network elements connected serially therebetween by the coaxial cable plant and each network element in the trunk/feeder system connects to one of a plurality of distribution and drop systems with the coaxial cable plant.

An access network, comprising:

• a plurality of network elements in a the trunk/feeder system and each of which uses a physical layer technology that allows data connections to be carried over coax cable distribution facilities from subscribers;
• and
• a cable television network comprising coaxial cable plant interconnecting the plurality of network elements;
• wherein the plurality of network elements implement point-to-point data links between network elements over the cable television network using bandwidth that resides above standard upstream/downstream spectrum on the cable television network;
• wherein subscribers receive data from the point-to-point data links between network elements via the coaxial cable plant at the bandwidth that resides above standard upstream/downstream spectrum;
• and
• wherein radio frequency data forming the point-to-point data links is transmitted over the coaxial cable plant above existing spectrum for legacy data and video on the coaxial cable plant, wherein the trunk/feeder system comprises the plurality of network elements connected serially therebetween by the coaxial cable plant and each network element in the trunk/feeder system connects to one of a plurality of distribution and drop systems with the coaxial cable plant.