Overview

CMTP has broad support for the mixed environment of DOCSIS 2.0, 1.1 and 1.0 devices. Similarly, it supports all DOCSIS equipment vendors, impartially treating each vendor with maximum performance and minimum hassle. CMTP is fully automated, requiring no user input for testing. CMTP tests the basic Cable Modem and EMTA parameters such as signal levels, signal to noise ratio, etc. as well as device throughput and packet loss. For PacketCable devices, CMTP tests each phone port individually, with maximum functionality being tested.  CMTP can also be configured to upgrade the firmware of the devices in a multi-step and conditional process for different hardware versions from any and all vendors. The Promptlink test platform turns the difficult task of testing Cable Modems, Wireless Cable Gateways and EMTAs into an easy, repeatable process that requires no specially trained personnel. The combination of purpose-built hardware and feature-rich software creates a solution to the cable operator issues of returned and suspect cable modems.

Features and Functions

The test procedures can also be fully customized to meet the specific needs and characteristics of each cable system. CMTP runs in a test environment that simulates a live cable plant, and then tests for desired device behavior in this controlled environment.

Cable Modem/EMTA Provisioning module

• Automated multi-vendor multi step DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 firmware upgrade module with certificate management for upgrading DOCSIS 1.0 Cable Modems to 1.1 signed Cable Modems
• Cable Modem/EMTA testing module with an SQL database layer for testing device parameters and storing the test results.
• Reporting module for presenting test results for RMA Processing and Managerial analysis

Provisioning Module

The device provisioning module is a robust operational tool for use in active and dynamic provisioning of DOCSIS Cable devices. This module supports the common provisioning functions, such as dynamic IP address assignment and providing the device configuration files. It also notifies the other parts of the system of the status of the Cable Modems/EMTAs that are connected for testing and that are coming online.

The Device provisioning module includes:

• Multi threaded TFTP server optimized for DOCSIS environment
• Multi threaded DHCP server with options codes capable of supporting both DOCSIS and Packetcable devices
• Capability to distinguish between the 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 CMs and EMTAs
• Capability to sending SNMP Inform when a modem comes on line.

Firmware Auto-Upgrade Module

The Promptlink Firmware Auto-upgrade Module lets cable operators upgrade firmware in CAble Modems and EMTA prior to being issued to the field, speeding up the installation process and ensuring maximum compatilbility with the cable plant. Firmware upgrades are done suing an SNMP management utility which is designed to detect the devices as they come online and follow different procedures set by the system administrator for different devices to upgrade their firmware. The upgrade procedure can be complex, conditional and/or multi-step with certificate management for DOCSIS 1.1. This module is capable of keeping an inventory of all approved firmware and certificates. The upgrade procedure is captured into a multi step Macro. Each device, based on vendor, model, hardware or software can have a different upgrade macro. This module can also have an ignore list for the devices not to be upgraded. The ignore list can be created based on different criteria, such as MAC address, vendor, model, hardware version, etc.

The Auto-upgrade Module provides several other utilities such as access control and permissions to the upgrade module, event logging and setting up SNMP polling

Cable Modem Testing Module

Performs several tasks:

1. Pings the modem and/or the CMTS
2. Queries the CM for the basic Data parameters using SNMP. Some of the parameters such as System Description or firmware are informational, and others, such as SNR or Power Levels are analyzed to determine the functionality of the devices.
3. Connects to a component of the test module, which resides on the provisioning server hardware to generate traffic and measure the throughput and packet loss in both directions.

After the Cable Modem Testing Module analyzes the CM parameters, it will return one of the following three notices for each test; Pass, Warning or Fail. The criteria for Pass, Warning, and Fail are set by the system administrator for each modem parameter to be tested.

How Does CMTP Work?

The system follows a simple process.

1. The administrator defines the Test Parameters and Thresholds, Firmware Upgrade Process, Pass/Fail criteria and reporting parameters
2. A user connects the device, which is auto-discovered, performs any firmware upgrade tasks, and then runs through the battery of tests, providing a simple, color-coded result in a fully automated test.
3. Reports can then be generated and printed where desired, or exported for additional analysis.
4. RMA printouts showing failure reasons can be automatically printed, to be included when sending the device by to the manufacturer for repair. This RMA printout eliminates any dispute from manufacturers regarding device failure.

CMTP has an easy-to-use administrative user interface for the provisioning, firmware upgrade and testing modules. Through these interfaces, a System Administrator can set up provisioning policies, set test parameters, Pass/Fail criteria and upgrade procedures. The Administrative User Interface for the upgrade module is a web-based Java client and can be accessed remotely from any client platform (Windows, Linux, etc.). The user interface for the provisioning module is a command line interface and is used for setting the test parameters, pass-fail criteria, and for generating reports. This interface is accessed from a test PC.

CMTP is an excellent platform for building Cable Modem upgrade scenarios. As soon as modems are connected to the CMTP system and come online, the system analyzes the modem information and, based on the criteria set by the administrator, decides whether or not to upgrade the modem firmware. The firmware upgrade is highly selective and only the modems that meet the upgrade conditions will be upgraded. The firmware upgrade procedure may also involve multiple steps and may vary for different modems, makes and models.

After the optional modem firmware upgrade step, the modems automatically begin the test process. For each modem the testing is triggered by inserting an Ethernet Cable (or USB cable) to the Ethernet (or USB port) of the cable modem, and phone and Ethernet cables to an EMTA.

The test process takes only a few seconds to deliver a Pass or Fail result. At this point the operator can tag the device with the automated printout and go on to the next unit. The test results are also added to a SQL database for generating reports.

CMTP Strategy and Direction

Promptlink continues to refine the product roadmap based upon customer feedback and planned product enhancements. CMTP has the following future development plans and current work in progress:

1. Support for testing of the Wireless functionality of Wireless Cable Modem Gateways and other devices
2. Testing of additional devices such as set-top devices

NEW! Fully Automated Testing of Up To 48 Cable Modems and/or EMTAs in One Session

CMTP was designed for automated firmware upgrades and device testing. With the addition of the Automated Testing Components, the entire testing process now runs in batch mode, testing up to 48 cable modems and/or EMTAs in a single session. No other competitive product comes close to this capacity for mass testing of devices.

Cable Modem Test Platform Online Demonstration

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