cable operator's IP services, such as voice over IP, could conflict with an ISP's services. For example, the cable operator might configure the modem to support voice, but the ISP is trying to deliver a VPN service. Each service requires a different modem configuration The Ultimate Guide to Building and Delivering OSS/BSS and could ultimately require the customer to buy more than one cable modem. This problem could lighten with time; however, since one future view is that every customer would have one cable modem with various devices connected to it. CableHome is addressing the management issues involved with multiple, heterogeneous IP devices, but is still in the very early stages. 5.4 The Growing Network If networks never grew and never changed, the problems around OSS would be nearly eliminated. Unfortunately for cable operators, cable networks are about as dynamic as they come. As networks are built out and penetration rates increase, sub-nets are added and subscribers are moved around as the network is repartitioned or reorganized in response to demand. As a result, operators move their service distribution point or "nodes" often, even as much as every week. This can and will have enormous impacts on the OSS platform and for subscribers. A simple example would be a home-based business that gets its site moved to new Web servers every time the network is reorganized. Service could be deactivated during the migration, which will result in lost business and various operational problems when the site comes back online. From an OSS perspective, moving customers and equipment around a network will have an enormous impact. For example, every time customers are moved, all of the information relating to their security and QoS controls, special network configurations to support different services, ISP information, etc. will have to be updated in the OSS applications and re-associated with the new network topology. Since the network is expanding and changing, new equipment is added or changed constantly, increasing the