Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

First Published: November 16, 2009

Revised Date: May 27, 2013

In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC and later releases, support for the restricted load balancing group (RLBG)/general load balancing group (GLBG) is based on DOCSIS 2.0 and 3.0 specifications. Narrowband (NB) dynamic bandwidth sharing (DBS) with dynamic load balancing (DLB) is also supported in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC and later releases, and uses RF channel instead of the interface for load balancing.

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Contents

Prerequisites for Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

The Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing feature has the following prerequisites:

  • A RLBG and a DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG should have a load balancing group (LBG) ID.
  • A LBG should have a default policy ID.
  • During registration, a cable modem (CM) that has been assigned to a LBG must also be assigned a policy ID and priority, through Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), the CM configuration file, or Cisco Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) configuration.
  • The CM must send service type identifier (STID), service class name, and DOCSIS version and capability type/length/value (TLV) settings to the Cisco CMTS for registration if the fields are used by general tagging.

The table below shows the Cisco CMTS hardware compatibility prerequisites for this feature.


Note
The hardware components introduced in a given Cisco IOS Release will be supported in all subsequent releases unless otherwise specified.

Table 1 RLBG/GLBG and NB DBS with Downstream DLB Hardware Compatibility Matrix

Cisco CMTS Platform

Processor Engine

Cable Interface Card

Cisco uBR10012 Universal Broadband Router

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCA and later releases

  • PRE21

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCB and later releases

  • PRE4

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH and later releases

  • PRE5

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCB and later releases

  • Cisco uBR10-MC5X20U/H
Note   

Starting with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH, Cisco uBR10-MC5X20U/H line card is not supported.

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC and later releases

  • Cisco UBR-MC20X20V

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE and later releases

  • Cisco uBR-MC3GX60V 2

Cisco uBR7246VXR Universal Broadband Router

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCA and later releases

  • NPE-G1
  • NPE-G2

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCA and later releases

  • Cisco uBR-MC28U

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCD and later releases

  • Cisco uBR-MC88V 3

Cisco uBR7225VXR Universal Broadband Router

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCA and later releases

  • NPE-G1

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCB and later releases

  • NPE-G2

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCA and later releases

  • Cisco uBR-MC28U

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCD and later releases

  • Cisco uBR-MC88V
1 PRE = Processor Routing Engine
2 The Cisco uBR3GX60V cable interface line card is compatible only with PRE4.
3 The Cisco uBR-MC88V cable interface line card is compatible only with NPE-G2.

Restrictions for Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

The RLBG/GLBG Support and NB DBS Interact with DLB Support feature has the following restrictions:

  • Either Cisco load balancing (LB) or DOCSIS LB can be enabled for a MAC domain, but not both.
  • A maximum of 256 DOCSIS policies and 256 rules per chassis are supported.
  • The init-tech-ovr command does not support cross-line card (LC) configuration, as Cisco CMTS always use Dynamic Channel Change (DCC) initialization technique 0 for cross-LC DCC.

  • For the restriction about target upstream channel attribute masks, see the “Load Balancing and Dynamic Channel Change on the Cisco CMTS Routers” chapter in the Cisco IOS CMTS Cable Software Configuration Guide, Release 12.2SC guide, at the following link:

    http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​en/​US/​docs/​ios/​cable/​configuration/​guide/​ubr_​load-bal_​dcc.html#wp1176797

  • We recommend all LBGs that share channels must use the same LB method.
  • If a channel is a part of a DOCSIS LBG, use channel selection for CM steering.

The RLBG/GLBG Support and NB DBS Interact with DLB Support feature have the following cross functional restrictions:

  • CMs operating in the multiple transmit channel (MTC) mode do not register for a RLBG assignment, even if their configuration file contains relevant TLVs, such as STID and LBG ID. However, CMs operating in the multiple receive channel (MRC) can register for a RLBG assignment.
  • A modular cable (MC) interface in DBS mode can join LB operations, using either the modems or service-flows method. However, using the utilization method, if the MC interface is in the DBS mode and sharing the QAM channel with any other wideband (WB) interface that is not using the DBS mode, the LB state of this interface goes down. The MC interface can join LB operations if the interface is not in the DBS mode, or if the interface is in DBS mode and all the WB interfaces sharing the QAM channel are using the DBS mode.
  • The Cisco CMTS does not support an MC interface using DBS and sharing the same QAM channel with any other WB interface that is not using DBS. Therefore, the Cisco CMTS does not let the MC interface join a utilization-based LBG. In such cases, the MC interface is in a down status in the utilization-based LBG.

Note
The Integrated Cable (IC) interface in DBS mode has the same restrictions as the MC interface.
  • The Cisco CMTS can parse a specific TLV encoded in CM configuration file, and prohibit any DCC operation on the CMs.
  • DOCSIS MAC domain downstream service group (MD-DS-SG) channels in MDD messages are incorrect when a combination of channels from multiple line card types are placed in the same fiber node. The Cisco uBR-MC20X20V line card MAC domains should only include SPA channels, but if channels from two or more Cisco uBR-MC20X20V line cards are placed in the same fiber node, the MD-DS-SG from one card will include channels from the other line card too.

In a complex fiber node setup, with channels from more than one line card, or downstream channels of one MAC domain in more than one fiber node, some modems may not come w-online (wideband online). If a MAC domain has more than one MD-DS-SG, the MDD will contain more than one MD-DS-SG and cause the modem to perform downstream ambiguity resolution. When the modem analyzes the downstream channels from the other line card, it will not see MDD packets and disqualify the channel and the MD-DS-SG. The modem then sends a requested MD-DS-SG of 0 to the CMTS implying it will not participate in a bonding group.

Use the show cable mac-domain downstream-service-group command to see the channels in the same MD-DS-SG.

Use the debug cable mdd and debug cable interface mac-domain on the line card to see that MDDs contain MD-DS-SG with channels from multiple line cards.

The RLBG/GLBG Support and NB DBS Interact with the DLB Support feature have the following scaling limitations:

  • The total number of RLBGs and DOCSIS 2.0 GLBGs cannot exceed 256.
  • The total number of tags in a Cisco CMTS cannot exceed 256.
  • The total number of DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs is bounded by free memory.
  • A CM reset occurs if a CM moves from one cable interface to another because DCC init-tech 0 resets a CM during a LB move. A CM also resets if the two cable interfaces have been configured with a mismatched cable ip-init command.

Information About Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

The Cisco implementation on LB is based on the interface and channel on which CMs register, imposing a restriction that a particular DOCSIS channel, upstream (US) or downstream (DS), can only be part of one LBG.

The DOCSIS 2.0 “Autonomous Load Balancing” specification is CM-centric, allowing a channel (US or DS) to be part of multiple RLBGs. Therefore, with the DOCSIS 2.0 specifications, you can decide on which channel the CM can be load balanced.

To configure the Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing feature, you should understand the following concepts:

Service-Based Load Balancing

Using the DOCSIS 3.0 modem-based load balancing specifications, you can manage the LB activity on a per-modem basis as follows:

  1. Modem to RLBG association through STID
  2. Modem to RLBG association through LBG ID
  3. Per-modem LB policy assignment
  4. Per-modem LB priority assignment
  5. Per-modem channel restriction

Implementing the DOCSIS 3.0 modem-based LB specifications enables the Cisco CMTS to provide an advanced service-based LB. The service-based LB can be used to alleviate the burden for the modem-based provisioning and provide the operator an ability to selectively control LB activity based on modem service type. For example, for LB purposes modems can be classified based on:

  • Device type
  • DOCSIS version
  • Service class

The results of the classification can then be used to selectively control the modem LB activity by mapping the modem to the following settings:

  • LBG
  • Policy

With the service-based LB enabled, existing service-based cable modem segregation features and channel restriction become special cases and can be handled within the same LB framework. However, the device type-based classification is not available in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC.

Functionality

The Cisco CMTS functions in the following ways for general tagging and service-based LB:

  • The Cisco CMTS can classify some modems with user-defined modem classifiers using the STID, service class name, DOCSIS version and capability TLVs and MAC Organization Unique Identifier (OUI).
  • Each modem classifier has a unique tag. The Cisco CMTS allows each modem to carry one tag. When multiple tags match one cable modem, the tag that has the least index gets applied on the cable modems.
  • The Cisco CMTS classifies a CM and assigns a tag, and if a RLBG with that tag is configured, the CM gets assigned to that RLBG.
  • The Cisco CMTS can match multiple tags to a RLBG and a DOCSIS policy.
  • On the Cisco CMTS, a user can configure whether the general tagging overrides the RLBG or DOCSIS policy assignment using TLVs in the CM configuration file and SNMP when a conflict occurs.
  • When doing autonomous LB, the Cisco CMTS ensures that the target channels are available to a specific CM with regard to admission control, the SF attribute masks, and CM attribute masks.
  • The user can configure the number of times that a DCC fails a CM before the CM is removed from dynamic LB on the Cisco CMTS.
  • The user can configure DCC initialization techniques or whether to use Upstream Channel Change (UCC) for a LBG or for a particular source and target pair on the Cisco CMTS. However, DCC is not issued to cable modems provisioned in DOCSIS 1.0 mode. By default, the UCC for a LBG is not configured and therefore, all channel changes are done through DCC.
  • The Cisco CMTS supports LB on at least one logical channel on a physical US channel that has multiple logical US channels.
  • As per the DOCSIS 3.0 specifications, a lower load balancing priority indicates a higher likelihood that a CM will be moved due to load balancing operations.
  • You can create a policy to set the lower bandwidth for CMs. the LBG can only move cable modems with throughput that is above the threshold.

Compatibility

Both downstream and upstream autonomous load balancing is supported for single channel cable modems on the Cisco uBR10-MC5X20U/H, Cisco UBR-MC20X20V, Cisco uBR-MC88V, Cisco uBR-MC3GX60V line cards, and wideband SPA.


Note
The Cisco uBR-MC88V cable interface line card is supported only in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCD and later releases.

RLBG/GLBG Assignment

Cable modems operating in the MTC mode do not participate in registration for RLBG assignment, even if their configuration file contains relevant TLVs such as STID and LBG ID.

The user can configure one or more service type IDs for each RLBG. The user can also configure the Cisco CMTS, using CLI or SNMP, to restrict a particular cable modem to a certain STID and RLBG ID. However, if such a configuration is made, both the STID and RLBG ID in the configuration file are ignored by the Cisco CMTS.

When the STID is configured by CLI or SNMP or the STID is present in the cable modem configuration file, the Cisco CMTS selects an upstream and downstream channel, which offers the signaled service type, from a RLBG, if such channels exist. However, if an upstream and downstream channel do not exist that provide the signaled service type the Cisco CMTS assigns an upstream and downstream channel that does not offer the signaled service type.

When the LBG ID is configured by CLI or SNMP or the LBG ID is present in the cable modem configuration file, the Cisco CMTS examines the available choices for upstream and downstream channels and, if they include a channel pair associated with the signaled LBG, the Cisco CMTS assigns the cable modem to the signaled LBG. If these conditions are not met, the Cisco CMTS disregards the LBG ID.

If there are multiple upstream and downstream channels available that meet the requirements of the STID, if present, and the LBG ID, if present, the Cisco CMTS selects an upstream and/or downstream channel that meet the cable modem required and forbidden attribute masks requested in the configuration file. If upstream and downstream channels are not available that meet these criteria, the Cisco CMTS can disregard the cable modem attribute masks and select an alternative upstream and/or downstream channel.

In determining a target channel pair for a cable modem during registration time, the Cisco CMTS tries to find the target channel pair that can actually reach the cable modem by checking the current channel pair, the MD-DS-SG-ID (Media Access Control Domain Downstream Service Group Identifier) of cable modem (CM-DS-SG-ID) and the MD-US-SG-ID (Media Access Control Domain Upstream Service Group Identifier) of cable modem (CM-US-SG-ID), if present, and fiber node (FN) configurations. If the target channel pair is available to the cable modem and is different from the current channel pair, the Cisco CMTS is required to move the CM by means of DCC technique 0 or downstream frequency override (DFO).

In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE and earlier releases, when the Cisco CMTS identifies multiple candidate RLBGs for a CM, but cannot determine which fiber node configuration the cable modem is actually wired to, or cannot determine if the wired RLBG is unusable (when interfaces in the load balance group are disabled or in an administratively down state), the Cisco CMTS assigns the cable modem to the RLBG with the lowest group index. This assignment causes the Cisco CMTS to attempt to move the cable modem to interfaces it is not physically connected to, resulting in service outages for the CM.

However, in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE1 and later releases, the Cisco CMTS enforces fiber node checking during RLBG assignment.

The Cisco CMTS follows the following RLBG assignment rules:

  • If there is no fiber node configuration, there is no change in the candidate RLBG list. However, if the fiber node is configured, the fiber node must be configured correctly to reflect the real fiber node connection.
  • If the cable modem is inside a fiber node, only those RLBGs that are inside that fiber node are selected.
  • If the cable modem is not inside any fiber node, that is, the fiber node configuration does not cover all the channels, only those RLBGs that are not inside any fiber node are selected.
  • If an RLBG spans across multiple fiber nodes, it is not considered to be inside any fiber node.
  • If no candidate RLBG is found, cable modems are assigned to the GLBG, if the GLBG exists.

Channel Assignment

For cable modems operating in MRC mode, the registration request message can have multiple TLVs to influence the selection of upstream and downstream channels that the Cisco CMTS assigns. To avoid conflicts between the multiple TLVs, the Cisco CMTS follows the precedence order defined below:

  1. TLV 56—Channel Assignment
  2. TLV 43.11—Service Type Identifier
  3. TLV 43.3—Load Balancing Group ID
  4. TLVs 24/25.31-33—Service Flow Attribute Masks
  5. TLV 43.9—CM Attribute Masks

The Cisco CMTS must follow this TLV precedence order for cable modems not operating in MRC mode:

  1. TLV 43.11—Service Type Identifier
  2. TLV 43.3—Load Balancing Group ID
  3. TLV 43.9—CM Attribute Masks
  4. TLVs 24/25.31-33—Service Flow Attribute Masks

Note

Starting with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF, cable modems in MTC mode are assigned to load balancing groups.


Note

When a target for the new receive channel configuration (RCC) is selected, ensure that the service level for cable modems is not decreased. Target total RCCs must not be less than the source total RCCs so that cable modems can keep their service level unchanged. This may cause some unbalanced results when high capacity cable modems come online, later releases. This limitation will be addressed in a later releases release.

The Cisco CMTS also considers the DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem capabilities defined in the registration request message and assigns the maximum number of channels that the CM requests.

The tables below define the load balancing matrix for RLBG and GLBG assignment:

Table 2 RLBG Assignment for DOCSIS Cable Modems

Operational Mode

MAC Version

DOCSIS 3.0 CM

DOCSIS 2.x CM

DOCSIS 2.0 CM

DOCSIS 1.1 CM

DOCSIS 1.0 CM

Non-MRC mode (online)

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

MRC mode only (w-online)

Assigned

Assigned

Assigned

NA

NA

MRC/MTC mode (UB-online)

Not assigned

NA

NA

NA

NA

In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF, DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems are assigned to the DOCSIS 3.0 RLBG

NA

NA

NA

NA

Table 3 GLBG Assignment for DOCSIS Cable Modems

Operational Mode

MAC Version

DOCSIS 3.0 CM

DOCSIS 2.x CM

DOCSIS 2.0 CM

DOCSIS 1.1 CM

DOCSIS 1.0 CM

Non-MRC mode (online)

Assigned to the DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG without MD-DS-SG-ID/MD-US-SG-ID

Assigned to the DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG with MD-DS-SG-ID/MD-US-SG-ID

NA

NA

NA

MRC mode only (w-online)

Assigned to the DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG without MD-DS-SG-ID/MD-US-SG-ID

Assigned to the DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG with MD-DS-SG-ID/MD-US-SG-ID

NA

NA

NA

MRC/MTC mode (UB-online)

Not assigned

NA

NA

NA

NA

In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF, DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems are assigned to the DOCSIS 3.0 RLBG

NA

NA

NA

NA

The table below displays the change in behavior in channel assignment between Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE and earlier releases, and Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF:

Table 4 Comparison of Load Balancing Move of cable modems with LBG Assignment

Modem Mode

Load Balancing Method

Load Balancing Counters

Channels

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE and earlier

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF

DOCSIS 3.0 CM in MTC mode

NA

WB/UB

DS/US

NA

  • If RLBG is not found in the FN to get cable modems online, is not assigned an RLBG ID.
  • CM is assigned an LBG ID if any RLBG is available in the FN.
  • cable modems inside an RLBG or GLBG are added to the modem list.
  • cable modems outside an RLBG stay outside, are not added to the modem list

DOCSIS 3.0/DOCSIS 2.x cable modems in MRC-only mode

NA

WB/UB

DS

  • If RLBG is not found in the FN to get cable modems online, is not assigned an RLBG ID.
  • CM is assigned an LBG ID if any RLBG is available in the FN.
  • Primary channel of the CM and upstream inside RLBG or GLBG is added to modem list.
  • cable modems outside an RLBG are added to the modem list after moving the primary channel and upstream channels inside the RLBG.

Same as in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE.

DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems in MRC-only mode

DOCSIS 2.0 dynamic modem count-based LB (MCBLB), dynamic utilization

NB

US

Same as above.

Same as in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE.

DOCSIS 2.0 /DOCSIS 1.1 cable modems in NB mode

DOCSIS 2.0 dynamic MCBLB, dynamic utilization

NB

DS/US

Same as above.

Same as in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE.

Table 5 Comparison of Load Balancing Move of cable modems with LBG Assignment

Modem Mode

Load Balancing Method

Load Balancing Counters

Channels

Movement

DOCSIS 3.0 CM in MTC mode

NA

WB/UB

DS/US

  • If RLBG is not found in the FN to get cable modems online, is not assigned an RLBG ID.
  • CM is assigned an LBG ID if any RLBG is available in the FN.
  • Cable modems inside an RLBG or GLBG are added to the modem list.
  • Cable modems outside an RLBG stay outside, are not added to the modem list

DOCSIS 3.0/DOCSIS 2.x cable modems in MRC-only mode

NA

WB/UB

DS

  • If RLBG is not found in the FN to get cable modems online, is not assigned an RLBG ID.
  • Cable modem is assigned an LBG ID if any RLBG is available in the FN.

  • Primary channel of the cable modem and upstream inside RLBG or GLBGis added to modem list

    .

  • Cable modems outside an RLBG are added to the modem list after moving the primary channel and upstream channels inside the RLBG

DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems in MRC-only mode

DOCSIS 2.0 dynamic modem count-based LB (MCBLB), dynamic utilization

NB

US

Same as above.

DOCSIS 2.0 /DOCSIS 1.1 cable modems in NB mode

DOCSIS 2.0 dynamic MCBLB, dynamic utilization

NB

DS/US

Same as above.

The tables below give a snapshot view of the load balancing methods and the operations used to "move" bonded and non-bonded CMs.

Table 6 Load Balancing Method to Move Bonded and Non-bonded cable modems

Modem Mode

Dynamic Service Charge (Initialization Technique)

Within MAC Domain

Across MAC Domains

DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems in MTC mode

NA

DCC initialization technique 0

DOCSIS 3.0/DOCSIS 2.x cable modems in MRC-only mode

DCC initialization technique 0

Note    CM with primary DS outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

DCC initialization technique 0

DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems in MRC-only mode

DCC

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

DCC initialization technique 0

DOCSIS 2.x cable modems in MRC-only mode

DCC/UCC

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

DCC initialization technique 0

DOCSIS 2.0 /DOCSIS 1.1 cable modems in NB mode

DCC

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

DCC initialization technique 0

UCC

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

UCC

DOCSIS 1.0 in NB mode

Force reinitialize CM

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

Force reinitialize CM

UCC

Note    CM outside RLBG moves inside RLBG with DOCSIS 2.0 LB.

UCC

Table 7 Using DCC/DBC to Load Balance Bonded and Non-bonded Cable Modems

Channel

CM in MRC, non-MTC Mode

DOCSIS 1.1/DOCSIS 2.0 cable modems with Single US/DS

DOCSIS 1.0 cable modems with Single US/DS

Upstream (US)

DCC

DCC

UCC

Downstream (DS)

NA (within the same MAC domain)

DCC (within the same MAC domain).

Force reinitialize CM

DCC with initialization technique 0 when moving cable modems across MAC domains.

DCC with initialization technique 0 when moving cable modems across MAC domains.

Force reinitialize CM

Error Handling of Channel Assignment

In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE and earlier releases, the interface state of the channels is considered when determining load balancing groups (LBG) assignment. Only those channels that are in the "initial", "up", "suspicious", or "testing" states are available for LBG assignment.

However, in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF, this restriction is modified. As long as the interface state of the channels is not "administratively down", all channels are available for LBG assignment. For other load balancing operations, such as moving modems using DCC, UCC, or DBC, the interface state of the channels should be in "initial", "up", "suspicious", or "testing" states.

Effective with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF1, the following conditions apply when an LBG is disabled:

  • cable modems that match all load balancing criteria can be assigned to an LBG.
  • cable modem moves for load balancing are disabled, but cable modem moves from outside of the LBG to inside of the LBG are allowed.

Upstream Load Balancing for DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modems in Single Upstream Mode

The upstream load balancing functionality enables the Cisco CMTS router to effectively handle upstream traffic for wideband and narrowband cable modems that are in single upstream mode. Single upstream mode (Mx1) means that the modems cannot send upstream traffic on multiple upstream channels. In the event of traffic overload on a single upstream channel of a wideband or narrowband cable modem, the Cisco CMTS router automatically moves the cable modem to another upstream channel in the same load balancing group.


Note
A cable modem operating in single upstream mode is assigned to a load balancing group based on the primary channel of the modem. A cable modem in single upstream mode can support multiple receive channel (MRC) mode or narrowband mode. However, a cable modem in single upstream mode cannot support multiple transmit channel mode (MTC).

Narrowband LB with DBS

In earlier releases, there was a restriction on an MC interface using dynamic bandwidth sharing to be included in a LBG. Starting with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC, a new measurement of link utilization is introduced to overcome this restriction of load balancing on an MC interface using DBS. The modem count and service flow count-based loads in DBS are refined to be consistent with the DBS functionality.


Note
The Integrated Cable (IC) interface in DBS mode has the same measurement as the MC interface.

Functionality

The Cisco CMTS can balance the utilization of underlying QAM channels across LBG using the utilization method. There is no restriction for all MC interfaces in the LBG to use DBS.

The Cisco CMTS can balance the modem count or service flow count as follows:

  • The guaranteed bandwidth of each MC interface across LBG using the modem count or service flow count method, if all MC interfaces in that LBG are using DBS.
  • The guaranteed bandwidth of an MC interface using DBS and the nominal bandwidth of an MC interface that is not using DBS across the LBG using the modem count or service flow count method, even if all MC interfaces in that LBG are not using DBS.

Compatibility

Narrowband LB with DBS is supported on the Cisco 10000 SIP-600 and Cisco uBR-MC88V cable interface line card.


Note
The Cisco uBR-MC88V cable interface line card is supported only in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCD and later releases.

Auto-generate DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG

Cisco CMTS does not automatically implement DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG. DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG is configured manually after a new fiber node - MAC domain (FN-MD) pair is added.

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH introduces an enhancement to automatically generate DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG after adding a new FN-MD pair and resolving a new combination of MAC domain, cable modem, and service group (MD-CM-SG). This enhancement is implemented through a new command cable load-balance d20 GLBG auto-generate. The command has options to renew and update DOCSIS 2.0 GLBGs for a fiber node configuration.

Independent Upstream/Downstream Throughput Rules

Currently, during upstream or downstream load balancing, to move modems in load balancing operations, Cisco CMTS applies the DOCSIS policy throughput rules to both upstream and downstream throughput to upstream or downstream load balancing operations. In other words, for downstream load balancing, both upstream and downstream sets of rules are applied and similarly for upstream load balancing both set of rules are applied. This prevents movement of modems with low upstream or high downstream throughput and high upstream or low downstream throughput.

Effective with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH, upstream or downstream throughput rules are checked independently to corresponding upstream or downstream load balancing operations. During upstream load balancing, only upstream throughput rules are checked, and during downstream load balancing, only downstream throughput rules are checked.

The following important points are implemented for independent upstream/downstream throughput rules:

  • If a load balancing operation involves a change only in the downstream channel of a cable modem without any change to the upstream channel, then only the downstream lower boundary rules are checked.
  • If a load balancing operation involves a change only in the upstream channel of a cable modem without any change to the downstream channel, then only the upstream lower boundary rules are checked.
  • If a load balancing operation involves a change in both the upstream and downstream channels of a cable modem, then the modem rule check must pass all the rules for that (upstream or downstream) load balancing.
  • If the load balancing policy configured is pure-ds-load, then only the downstream rules are checked.
  • If the load balancing policy configured is us-across-ds or both us-across-ds and pure-ds-load, then two types of target interfaces occur as follows:
    • Local interface—where the cable modem shares the upstream with the source. Only downstream load balancing operation occurs.
    • Remote interface—where the the cable modem does not share the upstream with the source. The upstream/downstream load balancing is triggered by upstream load.

If the load balancing policy configured is neither us-across-ds nor pure-ds-load, then the load balancing is done based on Mac domain load.

How to Configure Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

The Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing feature can be configured as follows:

  • A user can configure a DOCSIS 2.0 general load balancing group (GLBG) on the Cisco CMTS according to DOCSIS specification. The Cisco CMTS creates a DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG for each Media Access Control Domain Cable Modem Service Group (MD-CM-SG) automatically and checks whether the GLBG contains both upstream and downstream channels.
  • A CM that is not provisioned to any RLBG and cannot resolve its MD-CM-SG gets assigned to a DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG. However, if the CM resolves its MD-CM-SG, it gets assigned to a DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG.
  • A user can configure RLBGs and any upstream or downstream channel into multiple RLBGs on the Cisco CMTS. The Cisco CMTS checks whether a RLBG contains both upstream and downstream channels. A RLBG can cross multiple MDs.
  • A backward compatibility with existing Cisco LB schemes is maintained. The users can switch between the old and new DOCSIS 3.0 compliant LB schemes.

Note

When the Cisco IOS system is upgraded from Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE6 to Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH2, the docsis-policy configuration of the DOCSIS load balancing groups, is missing in the output of the show running-config command. Legacy load balancing groups are not affected by this software upgrade.

Effective with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH2, after the software is upgraded from Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCE6 to Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH2, apply the docsis-policy to the DOCSIS load balancing groups using the docsis-policy policy-id command again.

The following sections describe how to create and configure DOCSIS load balancing groups to enable DOCSIS load balancing on the Cisco CMTS:

Configuring DOCSIS 3.0 and 2.0 RLBG and DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG

This section describes how to create and configure a DOCSIS load balancing group. There is a separate configuration mode for a DOCSIS load balancing group that is different from the legacy load balancing group.

     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1enable


    Example: 
    Router> enable
     

    Enables privileged EXEC mode.

    • Enter your password if prompted.
     
    Step 2configure terminal


    Example: 
    Router# configure terminal
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 3cable load-balance docsis-enable


    Example: 
    Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-enable
     

    Enables DOCSIS load balancing on the Cisco CMTS.

     
    Step 4cable load-balance docsis-group docsis-group-id


    Example: 
    Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-group 1
     

    Creates a DOCSIS load balance group on the Cisco CMTS, with the following parameter:

    The router enters DOCSIS load balancing group configuration mode.

     
    Step 5init-tech-list tech-list [ucc]


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# init-tech-list 1 ucc
     

    Sets the DCC initialization techniques that the Cisco CMTS can use to load balance cable modems.

     
    Step 6downstream {Cable {slot/subslot/port | slot/port} | Integrated-Cable {slot/subslot/bay | slot/port} {rf-channel group list}| Modular-Cable {slot/subslot/bay | slot/port} {rf-channel group list}}

    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# downstream integrated-Cable 5/0/0 rf-channel 2
     

    Sets the downstream RF channels.

    Note   

    The Integrated-Cable and Modular-Cable parameters are available only on the Cisco uBR10012 universal broadband router.

     
    Step 7upstream Cable {slot/subslot/port | slot/port} upstream-list


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# upstream Cable 1/0 2
     

    Sets upstream channels with the following parameters:

     
    Step 8docsis-policy policy-id


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# docsis-policy 0
     

    Assigns a policy to a group with the parameter that becomes the default policy assigned to the CM, if the CM does not choose a different policy.

     
    Step 9restricted


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# restricted
     

    Selects the restricted group type. By default, the general group type is selected.

     
    Step 10init-tech-ovr Cable {slot/subslot/port | slot/port} upstream Cable {slot/subslot/port } | slot/port upstream init-tech-list 0-4 [ucc]


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# init-tech-ovr Cable 8/1/0 0 Cable 8/1/1 1 init-tech-list 1 ucc
     

    Sets DCC initialization techniques that overrides the physical upstream channel pair. The init-tech-ovr command can also be used to determine whether the UCC can be used for modems during dynamic upstream load balancing.

    The following parameters override the physical upstream channel pair:

    Note   

    The init-tech-list keyword accepts an upstream that is not added into the load balancing group. The upstream channel pair is invalid until the upstream is added. When the load balancing group is removed, all upstream channel pairs are also removed.

     
    Step 11service-type-id string


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# service-type-id commercial
     

    Adds a service type ID, with the following parameter, that is compared against the cable modem provisioned service type ID, to determine an appropriate restricted load balancing group (RLBG):

     
    Step 12tag tag name


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# tag t1
     

    Adds a tag to the RLBG.

     
    Step 13interval <1-1000>


    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# interval 60
     

    Sets the time interval, the Cisco CMTS waits before checking the load on an interface.

     
    Step 14method {modems | service-flows | utilization} {us-method {modems | service-flows | utilization}}

    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# method modems us-method modems
     

    Selects the method the Cisco CMTS use to determine the load.

     
    Step 15policy {pcmm | ugs | us-across-ds | pure-ds-load}

    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# policy us-across-ds
Router(config-lb-group)# policy ugs
Router(config-lb-group)# policy pure-ds-load
     

    Selects the modems based on the type of service flow that are balanced.

     
    Step 16threshold {load {minimum <1-100> | <1-100>}| pcmm <1-100> | stability <0-100> | ugs <1-100>}

    Example: 
    Router(config-lb-group)# threshold load minimum 10
Router(config-lb-group)# threshold pcmm 70
Router(config-lb-group)# threshold load 10
Router(config-lb-group)# threshold stability 50
Router(config-lb-group)# threshold ugs 70
     

    Selects the percentage of use beyond which load balancing occurs.

     
    Step 17exit


    Example: 
    Router# exit
     

    Exits DOCSIS LBG configuration.

     

    Configuring DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG

    The following sections describe how to configure a DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG and also how to configure default values of DOCSIS 3.0 certification for the DOCSIS 3.0 general group:


    Note
    Starting with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF1, when a Cable interface on the Cisco uBR10-MC5X20U/H line card is shut down, the associated DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs are removed from the running-configuration. However, if the Cable interface is later releases ‘no shut’, the configuration of the GLBGs is restored in the running-configuration. This behavior is now consistent with the Cable interfaces on the Cisco UBR-MC20X20V and Cisco uBR-MC3GX60V line cards.

    Configuring a DOCSIS 3.0 General Load Balancing Group

    This section describes how to configure a DOCSIS 3.0 general load balancing group.

       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1enable


      Example: 
      Router> enable
       

      Enables privileged EXEC mode.

      • Enter your password if prompted.
       
      Step 2configure terminal


      Example: 
      Router# configure terminal
       

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 3cable load-balance docsis-enable


      Example: 
      Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-enable
       

      Enables DOCSIS load balancing on the Cisco CMTS.

       
      Step 4cable load-balance docsis-group FN fn-id MD cable {slot/subslot/port | slot/port}


      Example: 
      Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-group FN 1 MD c5/0/0
       

      Enters the DOCSIS load balancing group configuration mode.

       
      Step 5init-tech-list tech-list [ucc]

      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# init-tech-list 1 ucc
       

      Sets the DCC initialization technique list, with the following parameters.

       
      Step 6disable


      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# disable
       

      Disables the load balance group.

       
      Step 7docsis-policy policy-id


      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# docsis-policy 0
       

      Sets the load balance group policy.

       
      Step 8interval 1-1000


      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# interval 10
       

      Sets the interface polling interval.

       
      Step 9method {modems | service-flows | utilization} {us-method {modems | service-flows | utilization}}

      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# method modems us-method modems
       

      Sets the load balancing type or method.

       
      Step 10policy {pcmm | ugs | us-across-ds | pure-ds-load}

      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# policy us-across-ds
       

      Sets load balancing policy.

       
      Step 11threshold {load {minimum 1-100 | 1-100} | pcmm 1-100 | stability 0-100 | ugs 1-100}

      Example: 
      Router(config-lb-group)# threshold pcmm 70
       

      Sets the load balancing threshold in percentage.

       
      Step 12exit


      Example: 
      Router# exit
       

      Exits the DOCSIS load balancing group configuration mode.

       

      Configuring Default Values of DOCSIS 3.0 Load Balancing Group

      This section describes how to configure default values of DOCSIS 3.0 certification for a DOCSIS 3.0 general group on the Cisco CMTS. A DOCSIS 3.0 general group is automatically created for each MD-CM-SG derived from the fiber node (FN) configuration, and the group parameters are set as default values.


      Note

      The configured default values of DOCSIS 3.0 certification are applicable to the new automatically created DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs and do not affect the existing DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs. When a DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG is removed and recreated, its group parameters do not change.


      Note

      Starting with Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH, the default settings for interface polling interval, load balancing method, policy for modems selection, and threshold usage in percent, can be configured for DOCSIS 3.0 general group. For more information, see the Cisco IOS CMTS Cable Command Reference.

         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1enable


        Example: 
        Router> enable
         

        Enables privileged EXEC mode.

        • Enter your password if prompted.
         
        Step 2configure terminal


        Example: 
        Router# configure terminal
         

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 3cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default disable


        Example: 
        Router(config)# cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default disable
         

        Disables the default values of the DOCSIS 3.0 general load balance group (GLBG).

         
        Step 4cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default init-tech-list tech-list


        Example: 
        Router(config)# cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default init-tech-list 1
         

        Sets the default DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs DCC and dynamic bonding change (DBC) initialization techniques.

         
        Step 5cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default docsis-policy 0-0xffffffff


        Example: 
        Router(config)# cable load-balance d30-ggrp-default docsis-policy 2
         

        Sets the default DOCSIS 3.0 GLBGs policy ID.

         
        Step 6exit


        Example: 
        Router# exit
         

        Exits the global configuration mode.

         

        Configuring Cable Modems to RLBG or a Service Type ID

        This section shows how to configure a list of cable modems that are statically provisioned at the Cisco CMTS to a RLBG or a service type ID.

           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1enable


          Example: 
          Router> enable
           

          Enables privileged EXEC mode.

          • Enter your password if prompted.
           
          Step 2configure terminal


          Example: 
          Router# configure terminal
           

          Enters global configuration mode.

           
          Step 3cable load-balance restrict modem index mac-addr [mac-mask] {docsis-group docsis-group-id | service-type-id string}

          Example: 
          Router(config)# cable load-balance restrict modem 1 001a.c30c.7eee FFFF.FFFF.0000 docsis-group 100
           

          Assigns a modem or a group of modems with a common MAC mask to a load balancing group or a service type ID.

           
          Step 4exit


          Example: 
          Router# exit
           

          Exits the global configuration mode.

           

          Configuring Rules and Policies

          This section shows how to create and configure rules and DOCSIS policies to restrict the movement of modems during load balancing. Rules determine whether a modem can be moved and during which time periods. The time periods are measured in seconds with the start time being an offset from midnight measured in seconds. Rules are created individually and can be combined into policies. The user is able to create DOCSIS policies that consist of one or more rules. When more than one rule is part of a DOCSIS policy, all rules apply. Each group has a default DOCSIS policy.

             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1enable


            Example: 
            Router> enable
             

            Enables privileged EXEC mode.

            • Enter your password if prompted.
             
            Step 2configure terminal


            Example: 
            Router# configure terminal
             

            Enters global configuration mode.

             
            Step 3cable load-balance rule rule-id


            Example: 
            Router(config)# cable load-balance rule 1
             

            Creates a rule to prevent the modem from being moved.

             
            Step 4cable load-balance rule rule-id {enabled | disabled | {disable-period dis-start 0-86400 dis-period <0-86400>} | disable-throughput-lowerbound ds | us thrupt in kbps | vdoc-enabled}

            Example: 
            Router(config)# cable load-balance rule 1 disable-period dis-start 40 dis-period 50
             

            Configures the rule.

            Note   

            Static multicast groups should be configured on the appropriate bundle interface as well as on the correct forwarding interfaces to enable this rule. This feature will not be supported on load balancing groups which are derived from fiber node configuration and with multicast encryption.

             
            Step 5cable load-balance docsis-policy policy-id rule rule-id


            Example: 
            Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-policy 2 rule 1
             

            Associates a particular rule with the DOCSIS policy with the following parameters:

             
            Step 6exit


            Example: 
            Router# exit
             

            Exits the global configuration mode.

             

            Troubleshooting Tips

            Problem    When you disable load balancing and enable it for the next day using the cable load-balance rule rule-id disable-period dis-start start-time dis-period disable-period command, the load balancing is enabled at 12.00 am instead of the configured disable-period.
            Possible Cause    Load balancing rule cannot be disabled and enabled on the next day (that is, after 24 hours) using a single load balancing rule.
            Solution    Configure separate load balancing rules for disabling load balancing and enabling it on the next day. Configure the rule to disable load balancing using the cable load-balance rule rule-id disable-period dis-start start-time dis-period 0 command. Configure the rule to enable load balancing using the cable load-balance rule rule-id disable-period dis-start 0 dis-period disable-period command to enable it for the next day.

            Configuring Load Balancing Parameter for a Cable Modem Movement Failure

            This section describes how to configure the number of times a CM can fail before the CM is removed from the dynamic load balancing group.

               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1enable


              Example: 
              Router> enable
               

              Enables privileged EXEC mode.

              • Enter your password if prompted.
               
              Step 2configure terminal


              Example: 
              Router# configure terminal
               

              Enters global configuration mode.

               
              Step 3cable load-balance modem max-failures 0-100


              Example: 
              Router(config)# cable load-balance modem max-failures 10
               

              Configures the number of times a CM can fail before the CM is removed from the dynamic load balancing group.

               
              Step 4exit


              Example: 
              Router# exit
               

              Exits the global configuration mode.

               

              Creating and Configuring TLV type Tag

              Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH introduces the tlv command for TLV type configuration.

              The tags for TLV type matching rule are created and configured in this section.

                 Command or ActionPurpose
                Step 1enable


                Example: 
                Router> enable
                 

                Enables privileged EXEC mode.

                • Enter your password if prompted.
                 
                Step 2configure terminal


                Example: 
                Router# configure terminal
                 

                Enters global configuration mode.

                 
                Step 3cable tag 1-1000


                Example: 
                Router(config)# cable tag 1
                 

                Creates a tag.

                Enters the cmts-tag configuration mode.

                 
                Step 4name tag name


                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# name CSCO
                 

                Specifies the name of the tag.

                 
                Step 5 [exclude] service-type-id service-type-id

                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# service-type-id HSD
                 

                Configures the specified service type ID for the tag.

                 
                Step 6 [exclude]service-class service-class-name

                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# service-class work
                 

                Configures the specified service class name for the tag.

                 
                Step 7 [exclude] docsis-version docsis version

                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# docsis-version docsis20
                 

                Configures the specified DOCSIS version of the cable modem for the tag.

                 
                Step 8[exclude] oui oui of CM


                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# oui 00.1a.c3
                 

                Configures the specified OUI of the cable modem for the tag.

                 
                Step 9[exclude] tlv type value


                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# tlv mrcs 4
                 

                Configures the specified TLV type for the tag.

                 
                Step 10override


                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# override
                 

                Overrides the TLV or SNMP during load balancing an RLBG.

                 
                Step 11exit


                Example: 
                Router(cmts-tag)# exit
                 

                Exits the cmts-tag configuration mode.

                 
                Step 12cable load-balance docsis-group docsis-group-id


                Example: 
                Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-group 1
                 

                Creates a DOCSIS load balancing group on the Cisco CMTS.

                If the DOCSIS load balancing group is already present, the router enters the specified DOCSIS load balancing group configuration mode.

                 
                Step 13tag tag name


                Example: 
                Router(config-lb-group)# tag CSCO
                 

                Adds a tag to the load balancing group.

                 
                Step 14exit


                Example: 
                Router(config-lb-group)# exit
                 

                Exits the DOCSIS load balancing group configuration mode.

                 
                Step 15cable load-balance docsis-policy policy-id tag tag name [override]


                Example: 
                Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-policy 2 tag CSCO
                 

                Creates a DOCSIS policy and associates a new rule or an existing rule with the policy.

                 
                Step 16exit


                Example: 
                Router# exit
                 

                Exits the global configuration mode.

                 

                Configuration Examples for Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                This section describes a sample configuration example for configuring Restricted/General Load Balancing and narrowband dynamic bandwidth sharing with downstream dynamic load balancing:

                Example: Configuring a Tag

                The following example shows how you can configure the tag to exclude a DOCSIS version, a MAC address, a service class name or a service type ID: 

                Router# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)# cable tag 1
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude ?
  docsis-version   set the match rule for docsis version
  oui              set the match rule for oui
  service-class    set the match rule for service class name
  service-type-id  set the match rule for service type id
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude docsis-version ?
  docsis10  Match docsis 1.0 modems
  docsis11  Match docsis 1.1 modems
  docsis20  Match docsis 2.0 modems
  docsis30  Match docsis 3.0 modems
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude docsis-version docsis10
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude oui ?
  WORD  OUI of the vendor in the format xx.xx.xx or xx:xx:xx
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude oui 00.1a.c3
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude service-class ?
  WORD  Service class name
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude service-class work
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude service-type-id ?
  WORD  Service Type ID
Router(cmts-tag)# exclude service-type-id commercial

                Example: Disabling Load Balancing

                Use the following commands to disable DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG: 

                Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-group FN 1 MD cable 6/0/0
Router(config-lb-group)# disable
Router(config-lb-group)#

                Use the following commands to disable DOCSIS 3.0 RLBG: 

                Router(config)# cable load-balance docsis-group 1
Router(config-lb-group)# disable
Router(config-lb-group)#

                Verifying Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                This section describes how to use certain show commands to verify the configuration of the Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing feature.

                   Command or ActionPurpose
                  Step 1enable


                  Example: 
                  Router> enable
                   

                  Enables privileged EXEC mode.

                  • Enter your password if prompted.
                   
                  Step 2show cable load-balance docsis-group {docsis-group-id | FN fn-id MD cable {slot/subslot/port | slot/port}} [all | load | pending | statistics | target | modem-list | primary-load]

                  Example: 
                  Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group 1
Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group fn 1 MD c8/1/4
                   

                  Displays real-time configurational, statistical, and operational information of the load balancing operations on the router.

                   
                  Step 3show cable fiber-node fiber-node-id [spectrum]


                  Example: 
                  Router# show cable fiber-node 3
                   

                  Displays information about a fiber node.

                   
                  Step 4show cable load-balance [group n] | [all | load | pending | statistics | target | fiber-node-validation]

                  Example: 
                  Router# show cable load-balance group 1
                   

                  Displays real-time statistical and operational information for load balancing operations. If given without any options, this command displays information for the load balancing groups and each cable interface's current load and load balancing status.

                   
                  Step 5 show cable modem [ip-address | mac-address | cable slot/port [upstream port ] | name fqdn] [verbose]

                  Example: 
                  Router# show cable modem 40.3.160.15 verbose
                   

                  Displays information for the registered and unregistered CMs.

                   

                  Examples

                  Use the show cable load-balance docsis-group command to see the DOCSIS group status and to see the list of modems in the group, use the show cable fiber-node command to see the information on fiber nodes, use the show cable load-balance command to see information on LBG and DOCSIS channels, and use the show cable modem command to see the information on all the CMs.

                  The following examples show the output of the show cable load-balance docsis-group command: 

                  Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group 2
DOCSIS LB Enabled: Yes
DOCSIS     Group Status Interval DCC mask  Policy     Method Threshold
Group      Index                 /UCC                 DS/US  M/E/U/P/S
2          82    RE 10       0xF8(0)/N 0          s/s    1/1/70/70/50
Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group 1 modem-list 
US                     Group Index Mac Address      Priority 
Mo1/0/0:0/U0           81          (1)
                                   0000.ca45.9898   0     
Mo1/0/0:0/U1           81          (0)
Mo1/0/0:0/U2           81          (2)
                                   0013.711c.0820   0     
                                   0016.924f.8300   0

                  Effective from Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCH, the output of the show cable load-balance docsis-group command is modified to include an additional field MUPFXLR to display more status information on the modems in the DOCSIS groups. For more information, see the Cisco IOS CMTS Cable Command Reference.

                  The following example shows the modified output of the show cable load-balance docsis-group command: 

                  Router#show cable load docsis-group fn 1 md c6/0/0 modem-list
Load for five secs: 1%/0%; one minute: 2%; five minutes: 1%
Time source is NTP, 13:39:31.300 PDT Thu Mar 28 2013
Codes: M - Multicast, U - UGS, P - PCMM, F - Max-Failures, X - eXcluded
       L - L2vpn, R - RSVP
Primary DS     Grp Idx MAC Address    RCC-ID Bad Rfid Priority MUPFXLR
In6/0/0:0/UB   40448   (6)
                       e448.c70c.98af 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9b76 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9c15 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a92 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.99e4 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a35 1               2        -------
In6/0/0:0/U0   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:0/U1   40448   (1)
                       e448.c70c.9915                 2        -------
In6/0/0:0/U2   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:0/U3   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:1/UB   40448   (5)
                       e448.c70c.9abc 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.993f 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9927 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9b82 1               2        -------
                       4458.2945.2cb8 1               2        -------
In6/0/0:1/U0   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:1/U1   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:1/U2   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:1/U3   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:2/UB   40448   (5)
                       e448.c70c.9759 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a0e 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.992d 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a38 1               2        -------
                       0025.2ed9.9984 1               2        -----L-
In6/0/0:2/U0   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:2/U1   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:2/U2   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:2/U3   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:3/UB   40448   (5)
                       e448.c70c.9c00 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.99a5 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a5f 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.9a3b 1               2        -------
                       e448.c70c.96b1 1               2        -------
In6/0/0:3/U0   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:3/U1   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:3/U2   40448   (0)
In6/0/0:3/U3   40448   (0)

                  The following example shows the output of the show cable fiber-node command: 

                  Router# show cable fiber-node
Fiber-Node         Config Status
Fiber-Node 1 
       Modular-Cable 1/0/0:  0-1
    FN Config Status: Configured (status flags = 0x01)
    MDD Status: Valid

                  The following examples show the output of the show cable load-balance command: 

                  Router#show cable load-balance
Group  Interval  Method        DCC Init   Threshold
                               Technique  Minimum  Static  Enforce  Ugs   PCMM
1      10        service-flows 1          1        2%      2%       ---   ---
2      10        modems        0          5        10%     ---      ---   ---
 
DOCSIS LB Enabled: No
Router# show cable load-balance load
Interface            State      Group  Utilization  Reserved Modems Flows Weight
                                Index
Cable5/0/3 (459 MHz) up         1      0%(0%/0%)       0%    7      7     37
Cable5/0/3/U0        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Cable5/0/3/U1        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Cable5/0/3/U2        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Cable5/0/3/U3        up         1      0%              0%    1      1     1.2
Cable5/0/4 (465 MHz) up         1      0%(0%/0%)       0%    7      7     37
Cable5/0/4/U0        up         1      0%              0%    1      1     1.2
Cable5/0/4/U1        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Cable5/0/4/U2        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Cable5/0/4/U3        up         1      0%              0%    2      2     1.2
Mo1/0/0:0 (555 MHz)  down       1      0%(0%/0%)       0%    0      0     0
Router# show cable load-balance fiber-node-validation
DOCSIS LBG ID    Match    Channel    Fiber-node list
1                match    Ca5/0/0/U0 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U1 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U2 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U3 {1}
                          Mo1/0/0:0  {1}
                          Mo1/0/0:1  {1}
2                mismatch Ca5/0/0/U0 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U1 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U2 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0/U3 {1}
                          Ca5/0/0    {}

                  The following example shows the output of the show cable modem command: 

                  Router# show cable modem 40.3.160.19 verbose
LB group ID assigned(index)        : 1(81)
LB group ID in config file(index)  : N/A(N/A)
LB policy ID		: 0
LB policy ID in config file        : 0
LB priority                        : 0
Tag                                :

                  In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCF, DOCSIS 3.0 GLBG is generated dynamically by the fiber node configuration, if a valid fiber node is configured.

                  For example, if the fiber node configuration is: 

                  cable fiber-node 2
 downstream Modular-Cable 1/0/0 rf-channel 0-3
 downstream Cable7/0/0
 upstream Cable 7/0 connector 0-3
!

                  The GLBG generated by this fiber node is similar to: 

                  Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group fn 2 md cable 7/0/0
DOCSIS 3.0 General LB
MD       FN  Group S Intv DCC mask  Policy     Mtd MD-CM-SG Threshold
             Index        /UCC                 D/U          M/E/U/P/S
Ca7/0/0  2   48129 E 30   0xF8(0)/N 0          m/m 0x3C0101 5/10/70/70/50



                  
Router# show cable load-balance docsis-group fn 2 md cable 7/0/0 all
DOCSIS 3.0 General LB
MD       FN  Group S Intv DCC mask  Policy     Mtd MD-CM-SG Threshold
             Index        /UCC                 D/U          M/E/U/P/S
Ca7/0/0  2   48129 E 30   0xF8(0)/N 0          m/m 0x3C0101 5/10/70/70/50
Current load:
DOCSIS load-balancing load
Interface            State   Group  Utilization Rsvd NBCM  WB/UB Flows Weight
                             Index                   Total Total
Cable7/0/0 (333 MHz) up      48129  0%(0%/0%)   0%   2     8     7     37    
Cable7/0/0/U0        up      48129  0%          0%   22    7     29    7.6   
Cable7/0/0/U1        up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Cable7/0/0/U2        up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Cable7/0/0/U3        up      48129  0%          0%   20    10    30    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:0 (501 MHz)  up      48129  0%(0%/0%)   0%   2     63    2     36    
Mo1/0/0:0/U0         up      48129  0%          0%   22    7     29    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:0/U1         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:0/U2         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:0/U3         up      48129  0%          0%   20    10    30    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:1 (507 MHz)  up      48129  0%(0%/0%)   0%   1     58    1     36    
Mo1/0/0:1/U0         up      48129  0%          0%   22    7     29    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:1/U1         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:1/U2         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:1/U3         up      48129  0%          0%   20    10    30    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:2 (513 MHz)  up      48129  0%(0%/0%)   0%   2     59    2     36    
Mo1/0/0:2/U0         up      48129  0%          0%   22    7     29    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:2/U1         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:2/U2         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:2/U3         up      48129  0%          0%   20    10    30    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:3 (519 MHz)  up      48129  0%(0%/0%)   0%   1     61    1     36    
Mo1/0/0:3/U0         up      48129  0%          0%   22    7     29    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:3/U1         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:3/U2         up      48129  0%          0%   21    8     28    7.6   
Mo1/0/0:3/U3         up      48129  0%          0%   20    10    30    7.6   
Target assignments:
Interface            State      Group   Target
                                Index
Cable7/0/0 (333 MHz) up         48129   
Cable7/0/0/U0        up         48129   
Cable7/0/0/U1        up         48129   
Cable7/0/0/U2        up         48129   
Cable7/0/0/U3        up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:0 (501 MHz)  up         48129   Mo1/0/0:1 (507 MHz)
Mo1/0/0:0/U0         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:0/U1         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:0/U2         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:0/U3         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:1 (507 MHz)  up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:1/U0         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:1/U1         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:1/U2         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:1/U3         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:2 (513 MHz)  up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:2/U0         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:2/U1         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:2/U2         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:2/U3         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:3 (519 MHz)  up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:3/U0         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:3/U1         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:3/U2         up         48129   
Mo1/0/0:3/U3         up         48129   
Statistics:
Target interface       State      Transfers
                                  Complete  Pending   Retries   Failures
Cable7/0/0 (333 MHz)   up         8         0         0         0    
Cable7/0/0/U0          up         30        0         0         0    
Cable7/0/0/U1          up         83        0         0         0    
Cable7/0/0/U2          up         48        0         0         0    
Cable7/0/0/U3          up         34        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:0 (501 MHz)    up         19        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:0/U0           up         33        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:0/U1           up         46        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:0/U2           up         22        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:0/U3           up         22        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:1 (507 MHz)    up         22        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:1/U0           up         9         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:1/U1           up         19        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:1/U2           up         15        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:1/U3           up         21        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:2 (513 MHz)    up         21        0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:2/U0           up         4         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:2/U1           up         3         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:2/U2           up         6         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:2/U3           up         7         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:3 (519 MHz)    up         9         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:3/U0           up         1         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:3/U1           up         2         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:3/U2           up         4         0         0         0    
Mo1/0/0:3/U3           up         4         0         0         0    
Pending:
Modem          Grp Idx Primary RF/RCC              MD/TCS        Action Active Retries
                       Src           Target        Src    Target         Time

                  Additional References

                  The following sections provide references related to the Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing feature.

                  Related Documents

                  Related Topic

                  Document Title

                  Load Balancing, Dynamic Channel Change, and Dynamic Bonding Change

                  Load Balancing, Dynamic Channel Change, and Dynamic Bonding Change on the Cisco CMTS Routers

                  http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​en/​US/​docs/​ios/​cable/​configuration/​guide/​ubr_​load-bal_​dcc.html

                  Cable commands

                  Cisco IOS CMTS Cable Command Reference, at the following URL:

                  http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​en/​US/​docs/​ios/​cable/​command/​ reference/​cbl_​book.html

                  Standards and RFCs

                  Standards

                  Title

                  CM-SP-MULPIv3.0-I09-090121

                  Data-Over-Cable Service Interface Specifications

                  MAC and Upper Layer Protocols Interface Specification

                  MIBs

                  MIB

                  MIBs Link

                  • DOCS-LOADBALANCING-MIB
                  • DOCS-LOADBAL3-MIB

                  To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:

                  http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​go/​mibs

                  Technical Assistance

                  Description

                  Link

                  The Cisco Support and Documentation website provides online resources to download documentation, software, and tools. Use these resources to install and configure the software and to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. Access to most tools on the Cisco Support and Documentation website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password.

                  http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​cisco/​web/​support/​index.html

                  Feature Information for Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                  Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and software image support. Cisco Feature Navigator enables you to determine which software images support a specific software release, feature set, or platform. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http:/​/​www.cisco.com/​go/​cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.


                  Note

                  The table below lists only the software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given software release train. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that software release train also support that feature.

                  Table 8 Feature Information for Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                  Feature Name

                  Releases

                  Feature Information

                  Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                  12.2(33)SCC

                  In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCC, this feature was introduced on Cisco uBR10012 routers.

                  The following section provide information about this feature:

                  • upstream (config-lb-group)
                  • cable load-balance rule
                  • show cable load-balance
                  • cable load-balance docsis-policy

                  Restricted/General Load Balancing and Narrowband Dynamic Bandwidth Sharing with Downstream Dynamic Load Balancing

                  12.2(33)SCD

                  In Cisco IOS Release 12.2(33)SCD, this feature was introduced on Cisco uBR7200 series routers.

                  DOCSIS 2.0 multicast enhancement for VDOC.

                  12.2(33)SCD5

                  This feature enables the customer to tune a DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem to a specific downstream having static multicast video forwarding on it.

                  The following command was modified:

                  • cable load-balance rule

                  Channel Assignment for RLBG/GLBG

                  12.2(33)SCF

                  RLBG/GLBG channel assignment varies for different DOCSIS versions of cable modems.

                  The following command was modified:

                  • show cable load-balance docsis-group

                  Handling of Channel Assignment

                  12.2(33)SCF1

                  Handling of channel assignment when an LBG is disabled, is changed.

                  Auto-generate DOCSIS 2.0 GLBG

                  12.2(33)SCH

                  Generates GLBG automatically for DOCSIS 2.0 fiber node configurations.

                  The following command was introduced:

                  cable load-balance d20 GLBG auto-generate

                  Independent Upstream/Downstream Throughput Rules

                  12.2(33)SCH

                  Support for independent checking for upstream or downstream rules for load balancing. For upstream load balancing, upstream throughput rules are checked, and for downstream load balancing, downstream throughput rules are checked.

                  TLV type Tag

                  12.2(33)SCH

                  Configures a TLV type matching rule.

                  The following command was modified:

                  cable tag

                  The following command was introduced:

                  tlv