Implementation of initial ranging & transfer operational parameters phases of a cable modem

Project (M.S., Computer Science)--California State University, Sacramento, 2012.This project bestows an analysis of the lifecycle of a cable modem (CM). In order to provide services to a customer, the CM goes through an initialization sequence consisted of several stages. Among these several stages, Initial Ranging, IP Connectivity, Transfer Operational Parameters & Registration with the Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) are main four stages. In the Initial Ranging phase, the CM acquires the downstream and upstream channels. Acquisitions of these channels are important as they provide a unique communication link between the CM and the CMTS. While in IP connectivity phase, the CM acquires the IP address from the CMTS, which will give the CM a unique identity among all other network elements. In the Transfer Operational Parameters phase, the CM will obtain configuration file from the CMTS, which will inform the about the services it has to provide to customer. In addition, in Registration phase, the CM registers with the CMTS. After completion of this initialization sequence, the CM comes online and it will be capable to provide voice, video and data services to the customer. The main objective of this project is to demonstrate the two transition phases pursued by a CM and these two phases are Initial Ranging and Transfer Operational Parameters. The purpose behind this project is to implement state machine transition performed by the CM in order to achieve project goal. To achieve the goal a dummy process has been created which will act as ???cable modem termination system??? and which will be able to provide appropriate responses to the CM???s requests. Similarly, a virtual modem will be created on the other end of the network, which will be able to communicate with the dummy process. Moreover, in order to confirm and analyze the output or to maintain and view the responses received from the ???cable modem termination system???, the CM logs the messages in a log file. \ud \ud The CM uses Data Over Cable Services Interface Specification (DOCSIS) protocol to transmit and receive packets from the CMTS head-end facility. DOCSIS 3.0 specification provided by Cable Labs has been a great source of knowledge and has been followed as a main guideline.Computer Scienc