Cisco Unveils Full Duplex DOCSIS, Cloud Native Router, Licensing Plan for Cable Networking

The service provider marketplace is evolving rapidly to support 5G, multi-cloud, IoT, smart cities, and multi-Gigabit-speed bandwidth demand. Cable operators, in particular, are navigating this new landscape by capitalizing on new revenue opportunities through virtualization, software-defined networking, faster DOCSIS speeds, and more.

As a global leader in networking, security, and cloud, Cisco is focused on helping its cable operator customers automate, simplify, and monetize their networks for the age of connected everything. The company is announcing a number of industry firsts this week at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Atlanta.

Full Duplex DOCSIS Ready Node
Many cable operators are upgrading their systems to support higher bandwidth and streamlined workflows to maintain their high-speed data market share. Full Duplex DOCSIS (FDX) has emerged to enable cable operators deliver symmetrical services over their existing cable access networks.

Cisco is announcing the GS7000 FDXi, the industry’s first ‘FDX-ready’ node. It is an intelligent, remotely programmable, Remote PHY node, with the capability to turn on Full Duplex DOCSIS services when needed.

Cloud Native Broadband Router Live with Midco
Midco is using the recently launched Cisco Cloud Native Broadband Router (cnBR) CCAP solution in trials to deliver Gigabit services to Mobridge, South Dakota.

“Cisco’s open standards design using microservices and software containers will greatly simplify our development and deployment of new functions while reducing our time to market with new services,” says Jon Pederson, chief technology officer, Midco. “Its ability to economically scale for big and small customer regions, as well as its high-level performance, are true differentiators.”

The Cisco cnBR will soon be available in two versions: high-availability and lab-evaluation configuration. Each will come complete with routing, Ethernet switching, servers, Remote PHY nodes and shelves, and management software.

Cogeco Connexion Gains Flexibility with Infinite Broadband Unlocked Licensing Plan
Cisco also announced its first cable customer for the Infinite Broadband Unlocked (IBU), the industry’s first DOCSIS license plan that is designed to scale license costs to cable operator business success. As the number of customers per service group shrinks to accommodate demand for bandwidth and speed, traditional DOCSIS licensing plans based on a license per channel or license per service group has exploded.

Cogeco Connexion in Montreal, Canada, is the first large cable operator to implement Cisco’s Infinite Broadband Unlocked (IBU) licensing across their entire cable footprint. With IBU, Cogeco has the freedom to make changes, migrate, and optimize its network without incurring significant costs for increasing data speeds and adding service groups.

“Infinite Broadband Unlocked allows us to upgrade our current broadband network to enable the majority of Cogeco Connexion’s footprint to be 1 Gig ready,” says Michel Blais, vice president, Engineering and Operations, Cogeco Connexion. “With Infinite Broadband Unlocked, we remain committed to keeping pace with our customers’ needs by focusing on their true requirements in terms of having the right bandwidth speed and equipment, wireless technology, and services to optimize their online enjoyment.”

Cisco Demos at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo
The Cisco booth will take customers on a journey of network transformation, helping them extend the value of their greatest assets; the HFC plant and core infrastructure. Cisco has been a leading force behind major industry shifts, including analog to IP, centralized to distributed architecture with Remote PHY, and hardware to software. Customers can visit Cisco to explore affordable options for these transitions, and explore new market opportunities such as managed services, mobile backhaul over DOCSIS, Full Duplex DOCSIS, and more.

“Cisco is proud to demonstrate our leadership and cable innovation here at SCTE together with customers,” says Sean Welch, vice president and general manager, Cisco Cable Access Business. “Throughout our booth, we are showcasing how we’re advancing cable networks for a new era of networking — bringing together SDN, cloud, and virtualization — and making it all work for cable with new and flexible licensing options that scale to our customers’ needs.”