(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,831,425 B1 Bernstein Et Al

USOO883.1425B1

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,831,425 B1 Bernstein et al. (45) Date of Patent: Sep. 9, 2014

(54) DATA OVER CABLE SERVICE INTERFACE (56) References Cited SPECIFICATION (DOCSIS) OVER PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK (PON) U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 6,058,421 A * 5/2000 Fijolek et al...... 709,225 (75) Inventors: Alon Bernstein, San Jose, CA (US); 7,502,841 B2* 3/2009 Small et al...... TO9,223 John Chapman, San Jose, CA (US) 8,036,530 B2 * 10/2011 Arnold et al...... 398,58 2003/00588.85 A1 3/2003 Sorenson et al. 2004f0070601 A1 4/2004 Staiger (73) Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA 2004/0244043 A1* 12/2004 Lindet al...... 725,111 (US) 2004/0264683 A1* 12/2004 Bye ...... 379/402 2007/0189770 A1* 8, 2007 Sucharczuk et al...... 398,66 2007/0276943 A1* 11/2007 Marez et al...... 709,225 (*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 2008/O138071 A1* 6/2008 Lee et al...... 398,67 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 2008/0232801 A1* 9, 2008 Arnold et al...... 398,58 U.S.C. 154(b) by 1306 days. 2008/0310842 A1* 12/2008 Skrobko ...... 398/72 * cited by examiner (21) Appl. No.: 11/971,820 Primary Examiner — M. R. Sedighian (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Leon R. Turkevich (22) Filed: Jan. 9, 2008 (57) ABSTRACT A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOC (51) Int. C. SIS) Passive Optical Network (PON) system (DPON) makes H04. I4/00 (2006.01) optical Subscribers appear as cable Subscribers. In one (52) U.S. C. embodiment, a Cable Modem (CM) proxy is located in an USPC ...... 398/70; 398/71; 398/66; 398/63 Optical Line Termination (OLT). The OLT implements a (58) Field of Classification Search cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy CPC. H04J 14/023; H04J 14/0232; H04J 14/0234: and communicates with a back office system. The OLT trans H04J 14/0235; HO4J 14/0239; HO4J 14/0242: lates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into Optical Network H04J 14/0243; H04J 14/0245; H04J 14/0246; Unit (ONU) recognizable commands, and sends the trans H04J 14/0247; HO4J 14/0249; H04J 14/025; lated data to the ONU. In a second embodiment, the CM H04J 14/0252: HO4J 14/026; HO4J 14/0278: proxy is located in the ONU. The ONU implements the cable H04J 14/028: HO4J 14/0282: HO4J 14/0286; modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and H04B 10/25753: H04B 10/25754; H04B communicates with the back office system. The ONU trans 10/25756; H04B 10/272; H04B 10/278 lates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into ONU recogniz USPC ...... 398/58 72; 725/111, 129 able commands and sends the translated data to the ONU. See application file for complete search history. 25 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets

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US 8,831,425 B1 1. 2 DATA OVER CABLE SERVICE INTERFACE communicates over an optical cable 20 with one or more SPECIFICATION (DOCSIS) OVER PASSIVE Optical Network Units (ONUs). 24. There are several differ OPTICAL NETWORK (PON) ent types of PON networks, such as Ethernet PON (EPON), Gigabit PON (GPON), and Wavelength-Divisional Multi TECHNICAL FIELD plexing (WDM-PON). The PON 10 is a point-to-multipoint, fiber to the premises network architecture in which unpow The present disclosure relates generally to networking. ered optical splitters (not shown) are used to enable a single optical fiber 20 to serve multiple premises 22. The PON 10 BACKGROUND reduces the amount of fiber and central office equipment 10 typically used in point to point architectures. The Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification The OLT 18 is typically located at a service provider cen (DOCSIS) environment has several strengths, including the tral office head end 14. The OLT 18 receives Internet Packet ability to manage point to multi-point links and Support Ser (IP) data from a packet switched Wide Area IP network 12. vice provider provisioning where subscribers can be added The packet data received by OLT 18 is converted into down and removed at scale. The DOCSIS protocol has overcome 15 stream optical signals and broadcast to each premises 22 the difficult tasks of managing upstream bandwidth while sharing optical fiber 20. Upstream signals are combined using also effectively supporting Quality of Service (QoS) and pro a multiple access protocol such as Time Division Multiple viding many other subscriber applications. DOCSIS also pro Access (TDMA). vides a full security infrastructure where packets can be The ONUs 24 are typically located near end user locations encrypted, incoming data checked, and Internet Protocol (IP) generally referred to as customer premises or Subscribers. address verified. Thus, DOCSIS provides a cost effective, Often the customer premises may be a home or an office. time tested and reliable technology. However, the customer premises 22 can be located anywhere Passive Optical Networks (PON) are rapidly evolving and video, voice or data services are needed. The ONUs 24 con may eventually replace traditional wireline access technolo vert the optical signals carried over the PON cable 20 back gies such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSLs). Unfortunately, 25 into digital packet data. In one example, ONUs 24 convert the PON protocols do not support the full functionality of DOC optical signals into digital Ethernet packets that are sent over SIS. an Ethernet cable 26 to different Customer Premise Equip ment (CPE), such as a phone 28, Personal Computer (PC) 30, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS and/or television Set-Top Box (STB) 32. 30 A MSO network or “back office” 16 provides different FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a DOCSIS PON network services. For example, servers in MSO network 16 (DPON) network architecture. may be used for assigning IP addresses, providing Time of FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the DPON system in Day (ToD) information, provisioning network resources, FIG. 1 in more detail. operating in a multi-media environment, and operating a FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing in more detail a cable 35 Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). While the modem proxy used in the DPON system of FIG. 2. services provided by MSO network 16 are readily available in FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where at least part cable networks, many of these services are not supported in of the cable modem proxy is located in an Optical Network PON networks. Unit (ONU). DPON FIGS. 5-7 are message diagrams that show how the cable 40 There is a need to integrate PON subscribers 22 into the modem proxy conducts cable modem sessions on behalf of an MSO backoffice network 16 as if they were cable modems. ONU. However deploying a PON network 10 in an MSO network 16 FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing how a translator converts is more than a protocol definition. DOCSIS parameters into PON parameters. To enable compatibility between the MSO network 16 and 45 the PON network 10, the OLT 18 is managed with a Data Over INTRODUCTION Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) PON (DPON) system 40. The DPON system 40 operates Cable A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOC Modem Termination System (CMTS) subscriber manage SIS) Passive Optical Network (PON) system (DPON) makes ment software that acts as a gateway between a Cable Modem optical Subscribers appear as cable Subscribers. In one 50 Termination System (CMTS) and PON 10. The DPON sys embodiment, a Cable Modem (CM) proxy is located in an tem 40 includes a translator that converts DOCSIS param Optical Line Termination (OLT). The OLT implements a eters obtained from the MSO network 16 into PON param cable modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy eters. and communicates with a back office system. The OLT trans The DPON system 40 operates with different PON stan lates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into Optical Network 55 dards that handle the layer one (physical layer) connection Unit (ONU) recognizable commands, and sends the trans establishment to the ONUS 24 while allowing the DOCSIS lated data to the ONU. In a second embodiment, the CM protocol to handle the second and third data link and network proxy is located in the ONU. The ONU implements the cable layers, respectively. This partitioning allows for a clean modem protocol stack that operates as the CM proxy and demarcation of where PON stops and DOCSIS begins. communicates with the back office system. The ONU trans 60 FIG. 2 shows the DPON system 40 in more detail. The lates the data retrieved by the CM proxy into ONU recogniz blocks in FIG.2 generally refer to different operations that are able commands and sends the translated data to the ONU. provided by Software instructions that are executed on a pro grammable processor. However, it is also possible that some DETAILED DESCRIPTION or all of these operations may be executed by hardware cir 65 cuitry. FIG. 1 shows a Passive Optical Network (PON) 10 that The DPON system 40 includes a DPON management includes an Optical Line Termination (OLT) unit 18 that agent 62 that operates at layers L3-L7 of the Open System US 8,831,425 B1 3 4 Interconnect (OSI) model. Any combination of EPON drivers ONU 24. The CMTS Stack 80 and CMStack 82 communicate 64, GPON drivers 66, or WDM drivers 68 operate at layer together through the DPON management agent 62 when reg 2/layer 1 of the OSI model between the DPON management istering for the different services in MSO network 16. agent 62 and a physical layer 1 optical PON controller 70. A first DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84A converts Some of The DPON management agent 62 operates a cable modem 5 the DOCSIS parameters 61 obtained from the MSO registra proxy 60 that conducts DOCSIS cable modem sessions on tion sessions that are used by the OLT 18. For example, behalf of the ONUS 24. The cable modem proxy 60 conducts certain DOCSIS QoS and security information may be used cable modem registration or post registration services with by the OLT 18 for transmitting or denying service for certain any one of multiple different servers 50-58 in the MSO net types of packet data received over Internet 12. These OLT work 16 that are conventionally only used for providing cable 10 related DOCSIS parameters 61 are sent to translator 84A and network provisioning services. converted into PON parameters 63 that are then programmed For example, the CM proxy 60 in management agent 62 into the OLT 18. Accordingly, the OLT 18 operates according may conduct a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol to these particular QoS and security parameters 63. This (DHCP) session with a DHCP server 50 for discovering an translation is also described in further detail below in FIG. 5. Internet Protocol (EP) address on behalf of the ONU 24. The 15 Other DOCSIS parameters 61 obtained during sessions IP address is assigned to the ONU 24 and also used by the with MSO network 16 may be sent directly to the CM DOC OLT 18 when communicating with the ONU 24. SIS stack 82 in ONU 24. In this case, the cable modem The CM proxy 60 may also conduct a Trivial File Transfer DOCSIS parameters 65 are sent from the CMTS stack 80 Protocol (TFTP) session with a TFTP provisioning server 52 either untranslated or translated to the PON driver 86. The to obtain different DOCSIS service definitions. The service PON driver 86 uses PON signaling over optical cable 20 to definitions are used for example to assign different Quality of send the cable modern parameters 65 to the ONU 24. The CM Service (QoS) parameters to subscribers. The CM proxy 60 DOCSIS stack 82 communicates messages back through the may also communicate with a Time of Day (ToD) server 54 to optical cable 20 and CMTS DOCSIS stack 80 to the MSO obtain time of day information on behalf of the ONU 24. The network 16. CM proxy 60 can also communicate with an SNMP server 56 25 For example, certain DOCSIS information 61 may be when conducting network management operations and can obtained via a handshaking protocol between the CM DOC communicate with a PacketCable Multi-Media (PCNIM) SIS stack 82 and one or more of the servers in MSO network server 58 to register for multi-media services. These are just 16. These handshaking messages are relayed between the examples of any cable services that can be performed by the MSO network 16 and CM DOCSIS Stack 82 over the DPON CM proxy 60 on behalf of the ONU 24. 30 management agent 62 and CMTS DOCSIS stack 80. The CM A translation function shown in FIG. 3 then translates the messages 65 are converted between digital packet data and information obtained by the cable modem proxy 60 during optical signals by the PON driver 86 and sent to the ONU 24 the registration or post registration sessions into correspond over optical cable 20. ing PON parameters. The PON parameters are then sent to the The MSO registration session may complete with one or associated ONUs 24 and/or used by EPON 64, GPON 66, or 35 more DOCSIS parameters 61 being obtained by the CM WDM 68 when communicating with the ONUS 24. DOCSIS stack 82. The DOSCIS parameters 61 are sent to a FIG.3 shows the DPON system 40 in more detail. A Cable DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84B in ONU 24 for converting Modem Termination System (CMTS) stack 80 conducts into corresponding ONU parameters. The converted ONU some of the operations that would normally be performed by parameters are then programmed into the ONU 24 by trans a CMTS in the head end of a DOCSIS cable network. A Cable 40 lator 84B. As mentioned above, any of these handshaking Modem (CM) DOCSIS stack 82 conducts some of the opera operations can alternatively be performed by the CM DOC tions that would normally be performed by a cable modem SIS Stack 82 in FIG. 3 that is located in the OLT 18. In that located at the customer premises of the DOCSIS cable net case, the DOCSIS parameters 61 are all obtained and trans work. However, in this configuration, the CMTS DOCSIS lated in the OLT 18 and then programmed into the ONU 24 Stack 80 and CM DOCSIS Stack are located in the OLT 18 of 45 remotely from the OLT 18. the PON network 10. FIG.5 explains how an EPON style registration first estab The CMTS stack 80 and CM stack 82 together operate as lishes physical layer connectivity between the OLT 18 and the the cable modem proxy 60 that together communicate with ONU24. This particular example involves EPON, however it any of the MSO servers 50-58 described above. Operating should be understood that other optical networks could be both of these DOCSIS Stacks 80 and 82 in the OLT 18 effec 50 used, such as GPON, WDM, and other Fiber To the Home tively allow any of the services normally supported in a cable technologies. Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) 23 can network to also be used in PON 10. include any of the phone 28, PC30, and/or STB32 previously A DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84 is then used for convert shown in FIG. 1 or could include any other electronic devices. ing any of the parameters 61 obtained by the cable modem The DHCP server 50, ToD server 54, and TFTP server 52 are proxy 60 into associated PON parameters 63 that can be used 55 standard and used in any conventional MSO network 16. by the OLT 18 and ONU 24. Some of the translated PON The OLT 18 runs CMTS software 80, and possibly the parameters 63 are programmed into a PON driver 86 for cable modem software 82 previously described in FIG. 3. either communicating with the ONU 24 or sent over the Therefore, the OLT 18 appears as a CMTS to the MSO servers optical cable 20 for configuring the ONU24. The PON driver 50-54 that manage subscribers. The EPON 64 in FIG. 2 86 represents any of the EPON 64, GPON 66, or WDM 68 60 handles the physical layer connection signaling 90 and previously shown in FIG. 2. The translated PON parameters replaces the DOCSIS process of initial ranging and station 63 may also be used for operating or configuring OLT hard maintenance. The EPON physical layer signaling 90 includes ware 88. the OLT 18 sending out a discovery gate message that is then FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where portions of responded to by the ONU 24 with a register request message. the CM proxy 60 are located in both the OLT 18 and the ONU 65 The OLT 18 replies back to the ONU 24 with register and 24. For example, the CMTS DOCSIS stack 80 is located in register gate messages. In response the ONU 24 sends a the OLT 18 and the CM DOCSIS Stack 82 is located in the registration acknowledge message back to the OLT 18. After US 8,831,425 B1 5 6 the register acknowledge message is sent back to the OLT18, is signaled in every report message, it is possible to enhance the ONU 24 and OLT 18 are connected and the CM proxy 60 an EPON scheduler to perform per-queue rate limiting. Alter in FIG. 3 is activated. natively, current DOCSIS flow definitions could be used with FIG. 6 shows a second CM proxy registration phase 95 the understanding that all the individual service flows are where an IP address is assigned to the cable modem proxy 60 shaped to a given pipe rate, and not to the whole downstream/ on behalf of the ONU 24. A DHCP discover message is first upstream bandwidth. sent by the cable modem proxy 60 to the DHCP server 50. The Referring both to FIGS. 3 and 8, in operation 200, the CM DHCP server 50 sends hack a DHCP offer message and the proxy 60 participates in a TFTP session 100 as described CM proxy 60 responds with a DHCP registration message. above in FIG. 7. The CM proxy 60 obtains a TFTP configu The DHCP response sent back by the DHCP server 50 then 10 ration file 102 (FIG. 7) from the TFTP server 52 that contains confirms the IP address assigned to the CM proxy 60. DOCSIS parameters 61. For example, the TFIP file 102 may In cable networks, this IP address is used for the manage contain a request for a video service at 10 million bits per ment of a cable modem. In the PON network 10 there are second (Mbps), a voice service of 100 thousand bps (Kbps), different options. In one embodiment, the IP address obtained and data service of 50 million bits per second (Mbps). The by the CM proxy 60 is sent to the ONU 24 though an Opera 15 CM proxy 60 forwards these QoS parameters 61 from the tions, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) channel. The TFTP file 102 to the DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84. SNMP server 56 in FIG. 3 can then communicate directly As mentioned above, the PON network may not support with the ONU 24. In another embodiment, the IP address individual service flows but alternatively may only support a stays at the OLT 18. The OLT 18 then sends OAM messages single bit rate for each “pipe' to an ONU 24. In this case, the with SNMP queries embedded in them to the ONU24 and the translator 84 in operation 202 may convert all of the different CM proxy 60 holds the IP address as a proxy for the ONU 24. DOCSIS service flow rates into a single PON bit rate param Referring to FIG. 7, after physical layer establishment 90 eter 63. For example, the translator 84 may sum up all of the and address registration 94, other services may be configured different bit rates for the individual DOCSIS Services flows by the CM proxy 60 on behalf of the ONU 24. For example, associated with a particular ONU 24. In this example, the total a time of day session 98 can be conducted between the CM 25 summed bit rate for the ONU 24 may be 60.1 Mbps. The proxy 60 and the ToD server 54 to acquire a time parameter. translator 84 may then assign different priorities for each of The CM proxy 60 sends a TOD request to the TOD server 54 the different types of voice, video and data identified in the and receives back a time value in the TOD response. The time TFTP file 102 (FIG. 7). For example, voice data flows may be information is then used by either the OLT 18 and/or sent to assigned a highest priority, Video flows may be assigned a the ONU 24. 30 second highest priority, and data flows may be assigned a low In another TFTP session 100, the CM proxy 60 may senda priority. TFTP request for a DOCSIS configuration file download. The The translator 84 may also create a DPON translation table TFTP server 52 replies with a TFTP download configuration 89 (FIG.3) in operation 204 that the OLT 18 uses for handling file 102. The information in the TFTP file 102 is then trans packets directed to the ONU 24. For example, the DPON lated and used for configuring schedulers/classifiers or other 35 translation table 89 created by translator 84 can associate features on the OLT 18 and ONU 24. For example, the infor different source addresses with different services flows. If the mation in TFTP configuration file 102 may be used to con packets have a destination address associated with the ONU figure Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation (DBA) 106 for 24, then the OLT 18 assigns priorities to the packets according Upstream (US) Quality of Service (QoS) between the OLT 18 to the priority values 63 in DPON translation table 89. and ONU 24. 40 The DPON translation table 89 is loaded into OLT memory After the registration process is completed, communica in operation 206. The translator 84 in operation 208 uses PON tion links 104 are established between the OLT 18 and the Application Programmers Interfaces (APIs) to program the ONU 24 that operate according to the DOCSIS parameters OLT 18 according to the different translated PON parameters obtained by the CM proxy 60 during sessions 94.98, and 100. 63. In this example, the translator 84 programs the OLT 18 to Both the upstream communications and downstream commu 45 provide the pipe to ONU 24 at a bit rate of 60.1 Mbps and nications in the optical links may operate according to these programs the OLT 18 to use the DPON translation table 89 DOCSIS parameters. Any CPE 23 may then communicate when assigning priority to packets directed to ONU 24. similarly to any CPE operating behind a cable modem. The OLT 18 checks the destination address for received Note that there is no need for DOCSIS REG-REQ/RSP/ packets. If the packets have an IP source address associated ACK messages as the ONU 24 gets programmed through the 50 with the ONU 24, the OLT 18 processes the packets according OAM channel. While there may be no need to send DOCSIS to DPON translation table 89. For example, if the packets DSX messages to the ONU 24, the basic concept of a have a source address associated with voice data, then the “dynamic service' can be adopted by EPON/GPON and OLT 18 assigns the packets a high priority when the voice queuing/classification rules. These rules can be dynamically packets are transferred upstream or downstream with the created as a result of PC/PCMM (PacketCableTM/Packet 55 ONU 24. Thus, the CM proxy 60 in combination with the Cable Multi-Media) gates from the PC/PCMM server 58 and DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84 (FIG. 3) can be used to sup relayed to the ONU 24 through the Operation and Mainte port DOCSIS service flows in a PON network. nance Channel (OAM) channel. The system described above can use dedicated processor FIG. 8 explains in more detail one example of how the CM systems, micro controllers, programmable logic devices, or proxy 60 and DOCSIS-to-PON translator 84 in FIG.3 may 60 microprocessors that perform some or all of the operations. operate when translating QoS parameters 61. The EPON Some of the operations described above can be implemented follows an Ethernet model for QoS where, instead of indi in Software and other operations can be implemented in hard vidual service flows, there are priorities within a pipe. This is Wa. also a model common in the DSL world where the "pipe' is For the sake of convenience, the operations are described the rate that the DSL modem is capable of reaching. In the 65 as various interconnected functional blocks or distinct soft EPON case the "pipe' is defined on the upstream by a Logical ware modules. This is not necessary, however, and there can Link Identifier (LLID). Since a queue depth for each priority be cases where these functional blocks or modules are equiva US 8,831,425 B1 7 8 lently aggregated into a single logic device, program or opera 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more tion with unclear boundaries. In any event, the functional processors are configured for establishing a registration ses blocks and software modules or features of the flexible inter sion with one or more servers in a multiple system operator face can be implemented by themselves, or in combination (MSO) network via the OLT. with other operations in either hardware or software. 5 9. A method, comprising: Having described and illustrated the principles of the operating, by a processing device within an Optical Net invention in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be work Unit (ONU) of a Passive Optical Network (PON), apparent that the invention can be modified in arrangement a Cable Modem (CM) proxy including conducting cable and detail without departing from Such principles. Claim is modem operations on behalf of the ONU; made to all modifications and variation coming within the 10 receiving, by the ONU, Data Over Cable Service Interface spirit and scope of the following claims. Specification (DOCSIS) parameters associated with the cable modem operations via an Optical Line Termina The invention claimed is: tion (OLT) executing a Cable Modem Termination Sys 1. An apparatus, comprising: 15 tem (CMTS); and one or more processors configured to: translating, by the processing device in the ONU, the DOC operate a Cable Modem (CM) proxy within an Optical SIS parameters associated with the cable modem opera Network Unit (ONU) of a Passive Optical Network tions into PON operating parameters for execution, by (PON), including conducting cable modem operations the ONU, of the cable modem operations enabling com on behalf of the ONU; munications according to the DOCSIS parameters receive, by the ONU, Data Over Cable Service Interface between the CMTS executed in the OLT and the CM Specification (DOCSIS) parameters associated with the proxy executed in the ONU based on programming the cable modem operations via an Optical Line Termina PON parameters into the ONU using PON Application tion (OLT) executing a Cable Modem Termination Sys Programming Interfaces (APIs). tem (CMTS); and 25 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiving includes translate, by the ONU, the DOCSIS parameters associated the ONU receiving the DOCSIS parameters from the OLT via with the cable modem operations into PON operating an optical cable. parameters for execution, by the ONU, of the cable 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the operating includes modem operations enabling communications according the CM proxy executing Data Over Cable Service Interface to the DOCSIS parameters between the CMTS executed 30 Specification (DOCSIS) operations on behalf of the ONU. in the OLT and the CM proxy executed in the ONU 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving includes based on programming the PON parameters into the receiving the DOCSIS parameters from the OLT via at least ONU using PON Application Programming Interfaces one of a Gigiabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), Ethernet (APIs). 35 Passive Optical Network (EPON), or Wavelength-Division 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the one or Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON). more processors are configured to: 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the CM proxy operated conduct the cable modem operations as Data Over Cable within the ONU is based on executing a CM DOCSIS stack in Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) operations the ONU, and the CM DOCSIS stack communicating with a with the CM proxy on behalf of the ONU; and 40 Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) via an optical receive the DOCSIS parameters from the OLT according to cable between the ONU and the OLT. PON signaling between the ONU and the PON. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising establishing 3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the ONU a registration session with one or more servers in a multiple configured to operate the PON signaling according to least system operator (MSO) network via the OLT. one of a Gigiabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), Ethernet 45 15. An apparatus, comprising: Passive Optical Network (EPON), or Wavelength-Division logic circuitry configured to: Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON). operate a Cable Modem (CM) proxy on behalf of an Opti 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the CM cal Network Unit (ONU), wherein the CM proxy and the proxy is configured to conduct an Internet Protocol (IP) ONU are located at a subscriber premises; address discovery that obtains an IP address on behalf of the 50 receive, by the CM proxy, Data Over Cable Service Inter ONU. face Specification (DOCSIS) parameters associated 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the CM proxy is configured to conduct a Dynamic Host Configuration with the CM proxy from a head end via an optical fiber; Protocol (DHCP) on behalf of the ONU for discovering the IP translate the DOCSIS parameters into Passive Optical Net address. 55 work (PON) operating parameters for execution, by the 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the CM ONU, of cable modem operations enabling communi proxy is configured to: cations according to the DOCSIS parameters between a obtain time of day, Simple Network Management Protocol Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) executed in (SNMP), or PacketCable Multi-Media (PCMM) infor the head end and the CM proxy executed on behalf of the mation on behalf of the ONU; and 60 ONU based on programming the PON parameters into translate the information into PON signaling; and relay the the ONU using PON Application Programming Inter translated information to the ONU. faces (APIs). 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CM proxy oper 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the CM proxy is ated within the ONU is based on executing a CM DOCSIS operated within the ONU based on executing a CM DOCSIS stack in the ONU, and the CM DOCSIS stack communicating 65 stack in the ONU, and the CM DOCSIS stack communicating with a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) via an with a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) via the optical cable between the ONU and the OLT. optical fiber between the ONU and the head end. US 8,831,425 B1 9 10 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic circuitry is 22. An apparatus comprising: configured to establish a registration session with one or more one or more processors configured to: servers in a multiple system operator (MSO) network via the receive, by an optical network unit (ONU), cable modem OLT. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOC 18. A method comprising: SIS) parameters from an Optical Line Termination receiving, by an optical network unit (ONU), cable modem (OLT) executing a Cable Modem Termination System Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOC (CMTS); SIS) parameters from an Optical Line Termination translate, by the optical network unit, the DOCSIS param (OLT) executing a Cable Modem Termination System eters into Passive Optical Network (PON) parameters: (CMTS); 10 translating, by the optical network unit, the DOCSIS and parameters into Passive Optical Network (PON) param program the PON parameters into the optical network unit eters; and using PONApplication Programming Interfaces (APIs), programming the PON parameters into the optical network for execution of the DOCSIS parameters in the ONU as unit using PON Application Programming Interfaces 15 a cable modem (CM) proxy enabling communication (APIs), for execution of the DOCSIS parameters in the with the CMTS in the OLT according to the DOCSIS ONU as a cable modem (CM) proxy enabling commu parameters for one or more cable modems. nication with the CMTS in the OLT according to the 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the CM proxy DOCSIS parameters, for one or more cable modems. operated within the ONU is based on executing a CM DOC 19. The method of claim8, wherein the CM proxy operated SIS stack in the ONU, and the CM DOCSIS stack communi within the ONU is based on executing a CM DOCSIS stack in cating with a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) via the ONU, and the CM DOCSIS stack communicating with a an optical cable between the ONU and an Optical Line Ter Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) via an optical mination (OLT) executing the CMTS. cable between the ONU and an Optical Line Termination 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the DOCSIS (OLT) executing the CMTS. 25 parameters are received by the ONU based on Passive Optical 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the DOCSIS param Network (PON) signaling between the ONU and an Optical eters are received by the ONU based on Passive Optical Line Termination (OLT) providing the DOCSIS parameters. Network (PON) signaling between the ONU and an Optical 25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the one or more Line Termination (OLT) providing the DOCSIS parameters. processors are further configured for the ONU establishing a 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising the ONU 30 registration session with one or more servers in a multiple establishing a registration session with one or more servers in system operator (MSO) network via the CMTS. a multiple system operator (MSO) network via the CMTS.