The MXL MAC Protocol for HFC Networks

Chiu, Ran-Fun ; Cohen, Reuven ; Chen, Michael ; Hutchinson, Bob

HP Development Company

关键词: ALOHA;    cable-modem;    MAC;    MXL;    tree algorithm;   

RP-ID  :  HPL-97-44

学科分类：计算机科学（综合）

美国|英语

来源: HP Labs

【 摘 要 】

The paper describes the upstream MAC protocol employed by the HP cable-modem for hybrid-fiber-coax networks. The protocol, called MXL, divides the upstream channel into two logical channels: a contention channel and a reserved channel. Cable-modem stations that need to send data have to reserve sufficient bandwidth in the reserved channel. In order to send their reservation request, the stations have to compete for access on the contention channel. The paper discusses possible contention algorithms and compares their performance results.