Cisco Cisco IOS Software Release 12.1(7)CX

Provides an SNMP interface so that a network management workstation or other graphical tool can 
obtain spectrum information for either a particular cable modem or for an entire upstream. The 
frequency resolution can be as fine as 12 KHz. 

The CISCO-CABLE-SPECTRUM MIB has been enhanced to provide this support.

The DCMTA software provides spectrum analyzer capability for an individual upstream port or an 
individual cable modem. Spectrum data is extracted from the Cisco uBR-MC16S cable interface line 
card using SNMP, allowing for live troubleshooting of an upstream port or individual cable modem. 
The DCMTA software supports simultaneous client access to a single or multiple CMTS, upstreams, 
or cable modems.

The Cisco uBR-MC16S cable interface line card offers the following key benefits:

Improves response time to ingress noise impairments that appear in the upstream return path. 

Eliminates the need for unnecessary frequency changes. 

Boosts the percentage of modems on-line. 

Mitigates the impact of ingress to subscriber services. 

Saves time and effort by MSO operations staff when troubleshooting minor plant outages. 

Increases cable plant reliability. 

Maximizes spectrum utilization. 

The Advanced Spectrum Management Features for the Cisco uBR-MC16S cable interface line card that 
are available in Cisco IOS Release 12.1(7)CX1 adds the following new key benefits:

Off-loads much of the spectrum management processing from the main system processor to the 
digital signal processing (DSP) hardware on-board the Cisco uBR-MC16S line card, freeing up the 
main processor for other duties. 

Proactively changes upstream frequency for an interface before noise conditions become severe 
enough to force cable modems offline. 

Flexible priority configuration allows hopping decision criteria to be tailored to the individual cable 
plant environment. 

Improves responsiveness to ingress impairments, by matching the hopping decision criteria to the 
fluctuating plant conditions. 

Pinpoints CNR variations and other trouble spots in the upstream return path with per-modem 
accuracy to isolate problematic cable modems. 

Sustains or even improves subscriber on-line percentages through user-programmable pro-active 
channel management techniques. 

Reduces the risk associated with switching between QPSK and 16-QAM modulation in the upstream 
to respond to ingress noise, so that subscribers remain online and connected.