scope:

IPCablecom Overview

The IPCablecom project defines interface specifications that can be used to develop interoperable equipment capable of providing packet-based voice, video and other high-speed multimedia services over hybrid fibre coax (HFC) cable systems utilizing the DOCSIS^® protocol [i.14]. Any reference to DOCSIS^® in the present document is understood to be DOCSIS^® version 1.1 or later.

IPCablecom defines a communication services architecture that overlays the two-way data-ready broadband cable access network. Within the overall IPCablecom framework, IPCablecom version 1.5, which is the subject of this Technical Report, is designed to provide digital voice and telephony services.

The objective of this IPCablecom Architecture Technical Report is to provide a high-level reference framework that identifies the functional components and defines the interfaces necessary to implement the capabilities detailed in the individual IPCablecom 1.5 specifications as listed in clause 5.3.

IPCablecom Motivation

The emergence of the Internet Protocol (IP) as the standard transport for packet data networks has enabled a revolution in communications services and applications.

NOTE: IPCablecom 1.5 supports only IPv4 at the present time.

This online revolution is demonstrated by the widespread use of email, chat groups, music, video, and the explosive growth of the World Wide Web for entertainment, information exchange, online commerce, and a wide range of new and innovative services. New classes of IP-based information appliances are also emerging, including multimedia personal computers, IP-based set top boxes, and IP-based voice and videophones.

In recent years the growth of a worldwide IP-based data network, coupled with the rapid growth in the number of households that have online access, have resulted in an environment that allows service providers to offer integrated voice and data services over a common broadband cable access network and IP transport backbone. While the initial application of Voice over IP (VoIP) technology was for toll bypass services (particularly high-cost international toll service) the technology is now sufficiently mature that it is feasible to offer IP-based voice communication services similar to those offered by telecommunications carriers on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

With the success of the DOCSIS^® standardization effort, the Quality of Service (QoS) enhancements of DOCSIS^®, and the acceleration of major cable system upgrades for two-way capability, the infrastructure is in place for development and deployment of packetized voice and video applications. These applications can be deployed with limited incremental cost, providing a technically distinctive and cost-effective alternative for subscribers' voice communications needs, as well as a platform for introducing the next generation of voice and other real-time multimedia services.

IPCablecom Project Phasing

The IPCablecom architecture is designed to be a robust, complete, end-to-end broadband architecture that supports voice, video, and other multimedia services. The architecture is capable of supporting millions of subscribers over multiple cable operator networks.

It is understood that the initial focus of the IPCablecom architecture is to support the time-to-market business considerations for deploying packet-based services. Going forward, the IPCablecom architecture will continue to evolve to meet Member business requirements and to accommodate advances resulting from the maturing of IP-based technology. The IPCablecom project will release specifications that define this architecture in a phased approach according to technical feasibility and business priority. As new IPCablecom specifications are released, they will complement the previously released specifications.