Architectures for broadband residential IP services over CATV networks

The current state of the art in digital broadband access technologies to support emerging telecommunications services makes imminent the introduction of interactive broadband services-including data, video and the Internet-into the residential market. Over the last few years, much attention has been paid to the development of media access control protocols for cable TV networks that will allow the immediate support of broadband data services as the first step toward enhanced communications services for residential users. We review some of the architectural options that must be carefully considered in order to deliver Internet protocol (IP) services to such users in an efficient yet flexible manner. Future residential cable data services are expected to deliver Internet access, work-at-home applications, small business access, local area network LAN-LAN interconnect, and LAN emulation services over cable (CATV) networks.