August 5, 2009

Incognito's DOCSIS 3.0 Upgrade Includes IPv6 Option

In anticipation of CableLabs' Summer Conference next week, Incognito Software has enhanced its Broadband Command Center 5.5 device provisioning suite to support DOCSIS 3.0 and PacketCable 2.0 standards.

Broadband Command Center automates the provisioning of cable modems by retrieving information from OSS systems and generating configuration files based on subscriber information, including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.

The new version 5.5 supports both IPv4 and IPv6 address blocks as operators transition to IPv6. Incognito's system also provides a side-by-side view of both address systems.

Operators aren't quite sure how the transition to IPv6 will play out, said Chris Busch, VP broadband technologies. They may use IPv6 for their modems, but continue with IPv4 for consumer premise equipment. Microsoft Vista supports IPv6, but lots of people still have Microsoft's XP operating system, which only supports IPv4, he said.

"Cable has to ask the question: 'If I'm stuck for address space but it isn't just flip-the-switch for customers, what am I to do?'" said Busch.

Besides IP address flexibility, the enhanced Broadband Command Center 5.5 provides heightened security with encryption support.

For more coverage of IPv6, click here. Stay tuned for a “Hitchhiker’s Guide to IPv6” in the September issue of CT.

—Linda Hardesty