Print Page

PacketCable is a CableLabs®-led initiative to develop interoperable interface specifications for delivering advanced, real-time multimedia services over two-way cable plant. Built on top of the industry's highly successful DOCSIS® (version 1.1 or greater) cable modem infrastructure, PacketCable networks use Internet Protocol (IP) technology to enable a wide range of multimedia services, such as IP telephony, multimedia conferencing, interactive gaming, and general multimedia applications. Working with CableLabs member companies and technology suppliers, the PacketCable project addresses issues such as device interoperability and product compliance with the PacketCable specifications.

The PacketCable effort was started in late 1997 when a team of CableLabs members identified the need for a real-time multimedia architecture to support the delivery of advanced services over the DOCSIS® cable modem architecture. The PacketCable architecture needed to be robust and support several end-to-end functions including signaling for services, media transport at variable levels of Quality of Service, security, provisioning, billing, and other network management functions. Although several existing interface standards addressed various pieces of the architecture, a comprehensive and integrated end-to-end solution did not exist. The PacketCable project was created to identify existing and define new interface protocols that together would support the delivery of real-time multimedia services over the DOCSIS cable modem architecture.

The PacketCable Team at CableLabs works with the PacketCable MSO business and MSO technical teams to identify requirements for the PacketCable architecture. The PacketCable specification development Focus Teams develop PacketCable interface specifications and technical reports based on these requirements. Once the interface specifications have been publicly released, they are incorporated into the PacketCable Compliance Testing Program. PacketCable Acceptance Test Plan (ATP) Focus Teams are responsible for the development of the PacketCable test plans. The PacketCable Compliance Testing Program tests vendor products developed in accordance with the PacketCable specifications.

The first step is for the vendor company to sign the PacketCable Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). The PacketCable NDA agreement provides vendor access to ongoing project information. The PacketCable NDA is available on the PacketCable Web site. Once the signed agreement has been received by CableLabs, you will need to fill out and submit the DocZone registration form. Your login and password will be e-mailed to you shortly thereafter. This will enable you to access the restricted portion of the PacketCable DocZone web site.

Joining the PacketCable community as an NDA vendor provides many benefits and privileges. As a participant, you will be able to:

• Receive a login/password to the NDA section of the restricted PacketCable DocZone area.
• Receive e-mail announcements concerning PacketCable project activities and events.
• Participate in the PacketCable compliance testing program.
• Participate in the review process for draft PacketCable specifications and test plans.
• Participate in the quarterly project update meetings.
• Participate in the Engineering Change Request/Order/Notification (ECR/ECO/ECN) process.

Your company may decide to take the next step by signing the PacketCable Intellectual Property (IPR) Rights Agreement. A signed PacketCable IPR agreement is required in order to participate in the development of the PacketCable interface specifications or PacketCable Compliance Test Plans. The PacketCable IPR is available on the PacketCable Web site. Once the signed agreement has been received by CableLabs, you will need to fill out and submit the DocZone registration form. Your login and password will be e-mailed to you shortly thereafter. This will enable you to access the restricted portion of the PacketCable DocZone web site. Joining PackeCable as an IPR vendor provides all the same benefits as an NDA vendor as well as several important additional benefits:

• A login/password to both IPR and NDA sections of the restricted PacketCable DocZone area.
• Participation in PacketCable specification and testing focus teams. Please see the PacketCable How to Participate information.

If your company has signed a PacketCable NDA agreement or a PacketCable IPR agreement, please ask the PacketCable primary contact at your company for this information.

If your company has not signed a PacketCable NDA agreement or a PacketCable IPR agreement, the PacketCable NDA agreement will need to be completed, signed and submitted to CableLabs. The PacketCable NDA is available on the PacketCable Web site. Once the signed agreement has been received by CableLabs, you will need to fill out and submit the DocZone registration form. Your login and password will be e-mailed to you shortly thereafter. This will enable you to access the restricted portion of the PacketCable DocZone web site.

The PacketCable Team at CableLabs works with the PacketCable MSO business and technical teams to identify requirements for the PacketCable architecture. The PacketCable Team at CableLabs then forms Focus Teams made up of PacketCable MSOs and PacketCable IPR vendors to define the interface specifications. The initial versions of the interface specifications are called "Work In Progress" documents and are not shared outside the Focus Team. When the Focus Team considers the Work in Progress document ready for wider review, the document status is changed to "Draft." A Draft specification is sent to the PacketCable NDA vendor community for review. The Focus Team considers comments made during the review period, and updates the Draft specification as appropriate. The final step is for the Focus Team to change the document status from Draft to "Issued." PacketCable Issued documents are available to the public on the PacketCable Web site.

The PacketCable Specification Focus Teams are made up of highly dedicated people from the cable operator and PacketCable IPR-vendor community. Focus Team members participate on the weekly conference calls, attend the scheduled face-to-face meetings, and are responsible for contributing actively to the development and review of the current work. In order for a vendor to participate on any PacketCable Specification Focus Team, the vendor company must first sign the PacketCable IPR agreement. The next step is to contact the PacketCable Administrator for more information concerning your expected level of participation on that team.

The PacketCable ATP Focus Teams are made up of PacketCable cable operators and PacketCable IPR and NDA vendors. In general, there is one PacketCable ATP Focus Team for each PacketCable Specification Focus Team. The PacketCable ATP Focus Team starts with a PacketCable specification to identify the testable requirements. The ATP Focus Team is responsible for developing test cases that exercise vendor product to ensure that these requirements are fully met. Test cases are based upon test equipment and test environment(s) available in the PacketCable lab.

The PacketCable ATP Teams are made up of highly dedicated people from the cable operator and PacketCable IPR-vendor community. ATP team members participate on the weekly conference calls, attend the scheduled face-to-face meetings, and are responsible for contributing actively to the development and review of the current work. In order for a vendor to participate on any PacketCable ATP Team, the vendor company must first sign the PacketCable IPR or NDA agreement. The next step is to contact the PacketCable Administrator to get more information concerning your expected level of participation.

The PacketCable visiting engineer and contributing engineer programs are great ways for PacketCable cable operators and vendor companies to maximize the value they provide to, and receive from, the PacketCable project. A visiting engineer works on-site at CableLabs with the PacketCable team in the testing lab, on PacketCable ATP Focus Teams, or on PacketCable Specification Focus Teams. A visiting engineer typically commits to a one year tour. A Contributing Engineer works off-site with the PacketCable team on PacketCable ATP Focus Teams or on PacketCable Specification Focus Teams. A contributing engineer may participate for less than one year. For more information concerning visiting engineer or contributing engineer opportunities, please contact the PacketCable Administrator.

If your company has signed a PacketCable NDA agreement or a PacketCable IPR agreement, please ask the PacketCable primary contact at your company for this information.

If your company has not signed a PacketCable NDA agreement or a PacketCable IPR agreement, the PacketCable NDA agreement will need to be completed, signed and submitted to CableLabs. The PacketCable NDA is available on the PacketCable Web site. Once the signed agreement has been received by CableLabs, you will need to fill out and submit the DocZone registration form. Your login and password will be e-mailed to you shortly thereafter. This will enable you to access the restricted portion of the PacketCable DocZone web site.