Harmonic's CableOS Virtualises Converged Cable Access

Harmonic has been awarded a patent for the invention of the Virtual Converged Cable Access Platform Core. The patent describes virtualisation of the traditionally hardware-based converged cable access platform (CCAP) structure that is the heart of modern cable broadband networks. Through Harmonic’s CableOS system, this virtualisation enables higher internet speeds for consumers, and significantly more deployment flexibility, while lowering capital and operating costs for cable operators.

“The future of cable access is virtualised software,” said Patrick Harshman, Harmonic's president and chief executive officer. “The company's CableOS solution is rapidly gaining momentum in the market, reflecting that leading cable operators are becoming convinced of the advantages of virtualisation.”

CableOS Core CMTS software powers the Harmonic CableOS software-based CCAP system, built to allow cable operators to work with more scalability and agility, and lower costs, than when running hardware. The software performs all CMTS (cable modem termination system) functions, including common control, management and forwarding of IP traffic across the cable access network, and is capable of processing tens of gigabytes of capacity per rack unit. All DOCSIS-related applications, such as DSG and PacketCable, are supported, as are IPv4 and IPv6 services.

Over recent years, Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) has made a significant impact on the telecommunications industry, as it abstracts network functions, allowing them to be installed, controlled and manipulated by software running on standardised compute nodes. NFV incorporates cloud and virtualisation systems to drive rapid development of new network services with elastic scale and automation. Harmonic’s patented CableOS brings NFV to the cable access space, making available to operators the market’s first software-based CCAP and complete, remote PHY (physical layer) system that can directly support both centralised and distributed architectures.

Several larger cable operators have adopted Harmonic’s CableOS so far and are now beginning to roll out the system in volume, which Harmonic believes will mark a paradigm shift for cable access. www.harmonicinc.com