DOCSIS measurement mode analyzes the digital performance of user-selected
DOCSIS channels to verify downstream/upstream connectivity. Only DOCSIS
channels defined in the downstream (forward path) channel plan are available
for DOCSIS measurement testing.
NOTE: The DOCSIS configuration selection box located within the CONFIGURE
> MEASURE > OTHER SETTINGS screen must have "Registration with
CPE initialization" selected to perform and display DOCSIS measurement
mode data.
Follow these steps to configure your meter for DOCSIS testing:
1) Use the arrow keys to highlight the channel you prefer on the SELECT
A DOCSIS CHANNEL TO TEST screen, press Next softkey.
The DOCSIS CONFIGURATION screen is displayed.
2) On the DOCSIS CONFIGURATION screen, use the arrow keys to select
the ENTER A NEW CABLE MODEM MAC ADDRESS text field and use the alphanumeric
keypad to type your entry, press ENTER to complete the edit.
OR
3) On the DOCSIS CONFIGURATION screen, use the arrow keys to select
the SELECT AN EXISTING MAC ADDRESS field, press ENTER and use the
arrow keys to highlight the MAC address you prefer, press ENTER.
4) On the DOCSIS CONFIGURATION screen, use the arrow keys to select the
DOCSIS SECURITY MODE field, press ENTER and use the arrow keys to
highlight the security setting you prefer, press ENTER.
5) On the DOCSIS CONFIGURATION screen, use the arrow keys to select the
DOCSIS VERSION field, press ENTER and use the arrow keys to
highlight the DOCSIS version you prefer, press ENTER.
Softkeys
Three softkeys on the CABLE MODEM MAC ADDRESS screen provide the following
options:
START
Initialize the DOCSIS testing after a MAC address is selected or entered
by pressing the Start softkey.
CANCEL
Exit the CABLE MODEM MAC ADDRESS screen without selecting or entering a
MAC address and to return to the SELECT A DOCSIS CHANNEL TO TEST screen
by pressing the Cancel softkey.
DEFAULT
Select the roving MAC address as the default MAC address by pressing the
Default softkey.
The flashing indicator boxes on the TEST IN PROGRESS screen indicate whether
the test is channel searching, acquiring data, or ranging.
Flashing Indicator Boxes
The first step of the DOCSIS test process is to tune to and measure the
attributes of the downstream DOCSIS channel. This is indicated by a gray/white
flashing box located to the left of the activity name. The first text
displayed is "loading DOCSIS application" followed by
"locking on to downstream" then "analyzing downstream".
When that activity is complete, the box is black and the displayed text
is "DOCSIS channel found".
The second step captures the system timing (SYNCs), upstream channel information
(UCDs), and time slots (MAPs). This is indicated by a gray/white flashing
box located to the left of the activity name "acquiring upstream
channel data". When that activity is complete, the box is black
and the displayed text is "upstream channel data acquired".
The third step establishes the optimum cable modem transmitter output power
level through a process defined in the DOCSIS specification. This is indicated
by a gray/white flashing box located to the left of the activity name
"ranging with CMTS". When that activity is complete,
the box is black and the displayed text is "ranging complete".
The forth step establishes registration activities for the cable modem
as defined by the DOCSIS specification. This is indicated by a gray/white
flashing box located to the left of the activity name. The first text
displayed is "connecting to DHCP server" followed by
"connected to DHCP server" then "registering
with CMTS" and "connecting to TFTP server" then
"connected to TFTP server". When the activity is complete,
the box is black and the displayed text is "registration
complete".
When the entire DOCSIS test process is complete, the TEST COMPLETE screen
appears with detailed results for the channel being tested. (See the DOCSIS
Help System section entitled "Interpreting Ranging Results"
for more information about the ranging test.)
NOTE: You can terminate the DOCSIS test process at any time by pressing
the Stop soft key.
Softkeys
Four softkeys on the DOCSIS - TEST COMPLETE screen provide the following
options:
FILE
Save or print a completed test. You also can open an existing DOCSIS measurement
file to compare previously collected data. Use the arrow keys to choose
the menu item you prefer and press ENTER to make your selection.
VIEW
Select one of the following functions you prefer - Restart,
Table View, Graph View, Registration,
Throughput, Packet Loss, or Ping. Use the arrow keys
to choose the menu item you prefer and press ENTER to make your
selection.
LIMITS
Select the set of measurement limits you prefer - Off, Cable
Modem, Ground Block, Tap, or TV. Or select Edit
to access the CONFIGURE MEASURE - LIMIT SETS configuration screen, where
you can edit limit-set parameters to meet your needs. Use the arrow keys
to choose the menu item you prefer and press ENTER to make your
selection. NOTE: When you select Edit, the limit-set parameters
you define will remain constant in all channel plans and measurement modes.
SETTINGS
Select Channel Plans to choose an alternate channel plan or to edit
the configuration of the existing plan.
Use the arrow keys to choose the menu item you prefer and press ENTER
to make your selection.