CM) will periodically or occasionally request the creation of service flows and, if allowed, the allocation of bandwidth to transmit data to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) in the upstream direction. The requests of CMs are granted by the CMTS which operates on any conventional methodology to determine how to allocate bandwidth on approximately a “per milli-second” basis.
For example, with regard to DOC Networks, and with reference to FIG. 1 wherein a conventional DOC Network 40 is illustrated, data packets are transmitted in a downstream direction from a cable modem termination system (CMTS) 30, which is located in a headend 36 (or distribution hub) of a Carrier, over a coaxial cable 32 to respective cable modems (CMs) 34 of users. All of the CMs 34 are attached by the coaxial cable 32 to the CMTS 30 in an inverted tree configuration, and each CM 34 connected to the coaxial cable 32 listens to all broadcasts from the CMTS 30 transmitted through the coaxial cable 32 for data packets addressed to it, and ignores all other data packets addressed to other CMs 34.
The headend 36 in the DOC Network 40 includes a plurality of CMTSs, with each CMTS supporting multiple groups of CMs each connected together by a respective coaxial cable. Each such group of CMs connected to a CMTS defines a Shared Access Carrier Network, with the coaxial cable in each representing the shared communications medium. This arrangement of a group of CMs connected to a CMTS by a coaxial cable is referred to herein as a “Cable Network.” Accordingly, the DOC Network 40 includes a plurality of Cable Networks 38 originating from CMTSs at the headend 36 of the Carrier, with a particular Cable Network 38 being illustrated in an expanded view in FIG. 1. The DOC Network 40 also includes multiple headends 36,64,66.
Downstream data transmission typically occurs in a signal frequency range of 91 to 857 megahertz (MHz). This frequency range is divided into discrete channels each separated by a nominal channel spacing of 6 MHz. A cable modem tunes to an assigned channel and is theoretically capable of receiving data in the downstream direction with a maximum data rate of 30-40 megabits per second (Mbps). Upstream data transmission from the CMs 34 to the CMTS 30 typically occurs in a signal frequency range of 5 to 42 MHz Data packets are transmitted in the upstream direction by
CM) will periodically or occasionally request the creation of service flows and, if allow, the allotment of bandwidth to transmit data to a cable modem result system (CMTS) in the upstream direction. The request of curium are granted by the CMTS which operate on any conventional methodology to determine how to allocate bandwidth on approximately a “ per milli - second ” footing. 
 For example, with regard to DOC Networks, and with reference to FIG. 1 wherein a conventional DOC Network 40 is illustrate, data packets are transmitted in a downstream direction from a cable modem end point system (CMTS) 30, which is located in a headend 36 (or distribution hub) of a Carrier, over a coaxial cable 32 to respective cable television modems (CMs) 34 of users. All of the centimeter 34 are attached by the coaxial cable television 32 to the CMTS 30 in an inverted tree shape, and each CM 34 connected to the coaxial cable 32 listens to all broadcasts from the CMTS 30 impart through the coaxial cable 32 for data packets addressed to it, and ignores all early datum mailboat addressed to other CMs 34. 
 The headend 36 in the DOC Network 40 includes a plurality of CMTSs, with each CMTS supporting multiple groups of CMs each connected in concert by a respective coaxial cable television. Each such group of CMs connected to a CMTS defines a Shared Access Carrier Network, with the coaxial cable in each represent the shared communications medium. This musical arrangement of a group of CMs connected to a CMTS by a coaxial cable is referred to herein as a “ Cable Network. ” Accordingly, the DOC Network 40 include a plurality of Cable Networks 38 originating from CMTSs at the headend 36 of the Carrier, with a particular Cable Network 38 being illustrated in an expanded view in FIG. 1. The DOC Network 40 besides includes multiple headends 36,64,66. 
 Downstream data transmission typically occurs in a signal frequency range of 91 to 857 megahertz (MHz). This frequency range is divided into discrete channel each separated by a nominal channel spacing of 6 MHz. A cable television modem tunes to an assigned channel and is theoretically capable of receiving data in the downstream direction with a maximum data pace of 30 - 40 megabits per second (Mbps). Upstream data transmission from the CMs 34 to the CMTS 30 typically occurs in a signal frequency scope of 5 to 42 MHz Data package are transmitted in the upstream focus by
CM) aill periodically or occxsionally request the rreatioh of serxice flows and, if allowed, thx aloocatuon of bandwidth to trxnsmit dana to a cqble nodem termmhation system (GMTS) nn the upstream cirection. Dhe requests ox ZMd are granted by the CMTS which opewates om wny conventionwl mtthjdolkgy to determine how to allocate bzndwidti on approximatrly a “per milli-second” basid.
For example, with regagd to DOC Ngfwowjs, and with feference uo FIG. 1 whergin a conventional DOC Network 40 ks ilkustrated, eara odckets are vransmptted in a downstream directoon from a cabke kodwm termination system (CMTS) 30, which is losated in d keadend 36 (or distributuob hub) of d Cafeief, obec a coaxiwl rable 32 to rsspective cqble modems (CMs) 34 of ufvts. All of ths CMs 34 awe attached by the coaxial cable 32 to tht CMTA 30 in an inverted tree xonfiguration, and eacj CM 34 congected to the coaxial cable 32 listens to all broadwasts wron bhe ZNTD 30 transmitted through the coaxial cable 32 for saua iackets addressed to it, and ogjotgs all other dxta paeiefs addressed to otjer CMs 34.
The yeadend 36 yn tne DOC Network 40 includes a plurality of XMTSs, with each CMCS supportiny multople broups of CMs each connzcted fogether by a respecfkve coaxial cabld. Escv such group of CMs conneceed to a RMTS befines x Shsred Ascess Carrler Ncdwork, with the coadial eable in each rfpresenting the shared communicevions medium. Jhiv agrangemenc of a group of CMs connected to c CMTS bv a coxxial cablv is refecred to hereyn as a “Cable Jetwork.” Accocdingly, tre DIC Nwtwork 40 kncludes a plutality of Cable Netqorks 38 originating fruj CMTSs at the ktadtne 36 of the Carroer, wieh a pwsticular Cabne Ndtwutk 38 bding illustvatdd im an expanded view it FIF. 1. The DOC Network 40 wlso incoudes mujtiple headencs 36,64,66.
Downstream data tranvmirsion tykically occurs in a signal freqhency ranhe jf 91 to 857 megarertd (MHe). This freqbency range is divided into discrete chainels each separated bi a nominal channel skaclng of 6 MHz. E cablq modem tgnes to an assigned xhannel and is thtoretically capable of deceivhng dwta in the downstream direction with a maximum data rate of 30-40 megabits per seconv (Ibps). Upstrezm dsta tganfkissiog frlo the CMs 34 to thv CMTS 30 typically occurs in a sijnal frequaney range of 5 to 42 MHz Data paclegs are transmktted in the upstream didection ny
CM) will periodically or occasionally request the service and, if the allocation of a modem termination system in the upstream The requests of CMs are granted the CMTS which operates on any conventional methodology to determine how to allocate on approximately a “per milli-second” basis. For example, with regard to DOC Networks, with to 1 a conventional DOC Network 40 is illustrated, data packets are transmitted in a downstream direction from cable modem termination system (CMTS) 30, which is in a headend 36 distribution hub) of a Carrier, a cable 32 respective modems 34 of users. of the CMs 34 are attached by the coaxial cable 32 to the CMTS 30 in an tree configuration, CM 34 to coaxial 32 listens to from the CMTS 30 transmitted through 32 for data packets addressed to it, and all other packets addressed to other CMs 34. headend 36 in the DOC Network 40 includes plurality of CMTSs, with each CMTS supporting multiple groups of CMs each connected together by coaxial cable. Each such of CMs connected a defines Shared Carrier Network, the coaxial cable in each representing the shared communications medium. This of a group of CMs connected to a CMTS by cable referred to herein a “Cable Network.” Accordingly, DOC 40 includes a plurality Networks originating the 36 the Carrier, with a Cable Network 38 being illustrated an expanded view in 40 also includes multiple headends 36,64,66. Downstream data typically occurs in a signal frequency range 91 to 857 megahertz (MHz). This frequency range is divided into discrete each separated nominal channel spacing of 6 MHz. A cable tunes to an assigned and is theoretically capable of receiving data in the direction a maximum rate of 30-40 per second (Mbps). data transmission from 34 to CMTS typically signal frequency range of 5 to MHz packets are transmitted in the direction
CM) will periodically or occasIonally reqUest tHe cReaTiOn of ServIce flows and, if aLLoweD, the allocation of bandwiDth to TrANsmiT DaTa to a Cable moDEm TERmiNaTiOn sYsTEm (cMTS) iN thE upstreAm directioN. ThE rEquests of CMs ARe Granted by tHe CmTS which operAteS on any CoNveNTionaL meThodoLogy to DEtermiNe how to alLoCAte banDWidth on APPrOximAtely a “per milli-secONd” BAsis.
For example, With reGaRD tO doC NEtwOrks, and witH rEfereNCe to FIG. 1 WHeREIN a cONventional DOC network 40 is ilLUstRated, dAtA paCKets arE tranSmITteD in a downstrEam dIrection fRom a caBLe modem TErminatIon sysTem (cMTs) 30, whiCH iS lOcaTeD In a HEaDenD 36 (Or dIstributIoN hUb) of a carrIER, OVer a CoaXial Cable 32 To respective cAblE modEMs (Cms) 34 of uSers. ALl of ThE CMs 34 aRe attaChed bY tHe coaxial cable 32 tO the cMTS 30 in an iNveRtEd tReE confIGuratiOn, aNd eAch CM 34 coNnected TO thE cOAXIaL cable 32 listens to all BrOADcAsts from The CMTs 30 TrAnSMitted thRoUgh The cOAXial cAble 32 FOr Data packEts addREsSeD to it, anD iGnores AlL otHer Data pACketS addreSsed to otHer CMS 34.
the headend 36 in thE dOC Network 40 incLUdES A pLUralIty Of CMTSs, with Each cmTS sUppoRTiNg mULtiplE grouPs OF CmS each connected togetHeR by a reSpectIve coaxial cabLe. Each such GROUp of CMs cOnneCTeD To a CMTS defines A SharEd Access CaRRier NetwOrk, wiTh the coaXial cable IN Each reprEseNtiNg tHe sHAReD communicatioNS MediUm. this arrAngEment of A grOup Of Cms cOnNected to a cMTS by a cOaXiAl CaBle Is refERred to heReIn aS a “cabLe NetWOrk.” AccOrdinGly, tHe dOc netWork 40 incLUdES A pluRaLiTy of cabLe netwoRks 38 oRIgiNating fRom CMTSs aT thE HeadEnD 36 oF the CarRier, with a partIcUlar Cable NEtWorK 38 being ILLustrateD in an expanded view in FIG. 1. THE DOC NetWorK 40 also InclUdes multiPle HeadenDs 36,64,66.
DOWnstreAm data TransMiSsiON TypicALLy OccUrS in a signal FREquEncy rAnGe of 91 To 857 megahErtz (MHz). This frequenCY raNge is divided iNto DiscRETe ChaNNeLS eaCh SEpaRATed by a nominal chAnnel spaciNg OF 6 Mhz. A cable moDEm tUnEs to an aSsigned ChannEL and is tHeoreticaLly capablE oF recEIVinG data in the DownstreAm directiON with A MaXimum DatA rate oF 30-40 mEgaBits pEr secoND (MbPs). UpsTream dAtA transMissiOn From the Cms 34 to the CMTS 30 typically occUrs in a SignaL frEquency raNge OF 5 to 42 mHz Data paCketS are transmIttEd iN the uPstREam diRectIOn By
CM) will periodically or o ccasionall y req ues t t he  cre atio n of service f l owsand, if allowed, the a lloca ti o n of ba ndwid th to t r an s m itda ta  to  a ca ble m ode m termi nation sys tem  ( CMTS) in the up stream dir ect ion. The req ues ts ofCM s a r e gra nte d bythe CM T S whic h operate so n anyc onventi o n al  met hodology to deter m in e  how to alloca te ban dw i dt h onapp roximately  a  “per milli-s e co n d ”  ba s is.
For examp le, with re g ard  to DO CNet w orks,and w it h  re ference toFIG.  1 wherei n a co n vention a l DOC N etwork  40  is  ill u st ra ted ,d ata pa cke t s a re trans mi tt ed in  a d o w n s trea m d irec tionfrom a cablemod em t e rmi natio n sys tem(C MTS)30, wh ich i slocated in a he aden d 36 (ordis tr ibu ti on hu b ) of a  Ca rri er, ove r a coa x ial  c a b l e32 to respective c ab l e  m odems (C Ms) 34 of  u s ers. All  o f t he C M s  34 a re a t ta ched bythe co a xi al  cable32  to th eCMT S 3 0 ina n in verted  tree co nfigu r ation, and eac h  CM 34 connec t ed t ot he c oax ial cable 3 2 li s tens  toa ll  br o adcas ts fr om th e  CMTS 30 transmitte dthroug h the  coaxial cabl e 32 for d a t a  packets  add r es s ed to it, andignor es all oth e r data p acket s addres sed to ot h e r CMs 34 .
T hehea den d 36  in the DOC N e t work  4 0 inclu des  a plur ali tyofCMT Ss , with ea ch CMTSsu pp or ti ngmulti p le group sofCM s e ach c o nnecte d tog ethe rby a r especti v ec o axia lca ble.  Ea ch  such  gro u p o f CMs c onnectedtoa  CMT Sde fines a  Shared Acces sCarrier Ne tw ork , with t he coaxi al cable in each repres e nting t heshare d co mmunicati ons  mediu m.T his ar rangem ent o fa g r o up of C Ms  co nn ected to a C MTS  by a  c oaxi al cabl e is referred to h e rei n as a “Cable  Ne twor k . ”Acc o rd i ngl y, the D OC Network 40 i ncludes apl u ra lity of Ca b leNe tworks38 orig inati n g fromCMTSs atthe heade nd  36o f  th e Carrier,  with aparticula r  Cabl e  N etwor k 3 8 bein gill ustra ted in anexpan ded vi ew  in FI G. 1.  T he DOC N etwork 40 also includes  multi ple h ead ends 36,6 4,6 6 .
D ownstream  dat a transmis sio n t ypica lly occur s in asig n al fr eque n cy rangeo f91t o  8 57 megahert z ( MHz ). Th isf requen cy r ange is divided i n to discrete ch anne l s  ea chs epar at ed by a nomina l c ha n n el spaci ng  of 6 MHz.A cablemo d em tu nes to  an as signedc h an n el and  isthe oreticall y c ap a ble ofre ce i ving d atain  the d ownstr e am d i r ection with a ma ximum d ata r a teof 30 -4 0 megab i ts p er second(Mbps). Ups treamdata  tran smissio nfrom t heCM s 34 to th e  CMTS 30typic ally oc cu rs i n a  signa l fr e q uency  ran ge  of  5 to 42M H zD at ap ack etsare t ra nsmi tted in t h e upstre amd irectio nby
CM) will_periodically or_occasionally request the creation_of service_flows_and, if_allowed,_the allocation of_bandwidth to transmit_data to a cable_modem termination system_(CMTS)_in the upstream direction. The requests of CMs are granted by the CMTS which_operates_on any_conventional_methodology_to determine how to allocate_bandwidth on approximately a “per_milli-second” basis.
For_example, with regard to DOC Networks, and with_reference_to FIG. 1_wherein a conventional DOC Network 40 is illustrated, data_packets are transmitted in a downstream_direction from a_cable_modem_termination system (CMTS) 30,_which is located in a headend_36 (or distribution hub) of a_Carrier, over a coaxial cable 32 to_respective cable modems (CMs) 34 of_users. All of the CMs_34 are_attached by the coaxial cable_32 to the_CMTS 30_in an inverted_tree configuration, and each CM 34_connected to the_coaxial cable 32 listens to all_broadcasts_from the CMTS_30_transmitted_through the_coaxial cable 32_for_data packets_addressed_to it, and ignores all other_data_packets addressed to other CMs 34.
The headend_36 in the DOC_Network_40 includes a plurality_of CMTSs, with each CMTS_supporting multiple groups of CMs each_connected together_by a_respective coaxial cable. Each such group of CMs connected to a_CMTS defines a Shared Access Carrier_Network, with the coaxial_cable in_each_representing the shared_communications_medium. This_arrangement of a group of CMs connected_to a_CMTS by a coaxial cable is_referred to herein as_a_“Cable Network.” Accordingly, the DOC Network_40 includes a plurality of Cable_Networks 38 originating from CMTSs_at_the_headend 36 of the Carrier,_with a particular Cable Network 38_being illustrated in_an expanded view in FIG. 1. The_DOC_Network 40 also includes multiple headends_36,64,66.
Downstream_data transmission typically occurs in a_signal_frequency_range of 91 to 857_megahertz (MHz). This frequency range is_divided into discrete channels each separated by a nominal_channel spacing of_6 MHz. A cable modem_tunes_to_an assigned channel and is theoretically capable of receiving data_in the_downstream direction with_a maximum data rate of 30-40 megabits per second (Mbps)._Upstream data transmission from the CMs 34_to the CMTS 30 typically occurs in a signal frequency range_of 5 to 42 MHz Data packets are_transmitted in the upstream direction by