DOCSIS Compliance
Not every CMTS vendor meets the specification even if they say they do!
Several CMTS DOCSIS 3.1 vendors are non-compliant with the DOCSIS 3.1 spec – “section 9 of the DOCSIS 3.1 PHY specification”, which includes upstream spectrum analysis for the CMTS. “The InGeNeOs working group at CableLabs, the CCAP PNM Upstream Triggered Spectrum Capture engineering change notice (ECN) has officially been published as of January 11, 2017. The updated management information base (MIB) list was made available in September 2016 and the DOCSIS 3.1 CCAP operations support system interface (OSSI) specification can be downloaded at “https://apps.cablelabs.com/specs/”
It is important to ensure that any DOCSIS 3.1 CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) you purchase is fully compliant with the DOCSIS 3.1 specification. Including language in your contract with the vendor is a good way to ensure that the vendor is aware of your requirements for compliance and agrees to meet those requirements.
It’s also important to note that simply stating compliance on a datasheet is not enough. It’s possible that the vendor has not gone through the proper qualification or certification process to ensure that their CMTS is fully compliant with the DOCSIS 3.1 specification.
Additionally, large MSOs (Multiple System Operator) have specific CMTSs deployed (“special builds, unique requirements that are not sold to other cable operators). This does not necessarily guarantee that the CMTS meets the DOCSIS specification which offers compliance and interoperability.
It’s essential to ensure that the CMTS vendor you choose fully supports the features you require, such as upstream spectrum analysis or RF analysis MIBs. Verifying compliance with the vendor is crucial to ensure you have the necessary capabilities for your network. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
