Software-defined networks
Networks without limitations
Historically MSOs have sent an engineer to the location of the active elements in a network to change equipment settings. The introduction of software-defined networks has improved networks with:
- Improved flexibility
- Increased capacity
- Enhanced customer service
- Lower cost of ownership
What is a software-defined network?
The market is moving towards a Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) where part of the intelligence of the CMTS moves to a deeper location in the network. The traditional optical node is substituted by a Remote PHY Device (RPD) or Remote MAC-PHY Device (RMD). The CPE is also an intelligent element in the network.
These elements can communicate to manage network traffic. As an example, during traditional working hours, upstream traffic becomes more important as people working remotely have to upload items to a server, in leisure time people want to relax perhaps by watching a film or box set, therefore downstream traffic becomes more important.
The RPD and the CPE can define certain hours to balance demand in the up- and downstream. As the network is software-defined the changes can be made remotely rather than physically changing the diplex filters – meaning that no costs are incurred with truck rolls.
