Cisco DNCS System Release 2.8.1 3.8.1 4.3.1 User Guide

For hosts to provide the high-value, copy-protected services authorized by a conditional access system, a
CableCARD module and host must be bound.

Binding is a DNCS function that matches the MAC address of the CableCARD to the host ID of the host. 

You must bind a CableCARD module to its host to authorize the bound pair to present "high-value"
copy-protected services (services with copy protection settings of either copy one generation or copy never).
However, services that are copy protected with the copy-protection setting of copy freely can be viewed by an
unbound CableCARD and host pair.

SSC set-tops and M-Card modules use the combo-binding method. With this method, the SSC set-top downloads
its EMMs during staging and the DNCS populates its database with the SSC pairing information from the staging
inventory file. 

The DNCS then sends pairing information (as a file named podData) to the BFS, which allows the SSC set-tops
and M-Card modules to bind. This file contains two lists: an authorized list and an unauthorized list. Each list
contains information on the SSC DHCT and its paired M-Card module. 

The M-Card module reads the pairing information from the file. If the M-Card module finds its SSC pairing in the
authorized list, it authorizes the binding between it and the SSC set-top. If it finds its SSC pairing in the
unauthorized list, or if it does not find its SSC pairing in either list, it does not authorize the binding.

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