Patent ID: 8179883
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A session encapsulation information database (SEIDB) apparatus for use in a system for transmitting internet protocol (IP) content from at least one IP content source to a downstream modulator and having a bypass architecture, wherein the system includes at least one network coupled between the content source and a cable modem termination system (CMTS), and wherein the downstream modulator is coupled to the at least one network and configured to transmit IP content to at least one end user network element coupled to the downstream modulator, comprising: a first interface for coupling the session encapsulation information database apparatus to the at least one content source; a controller coupled to the first interface; and a second interface coupled to the controller and for coupling the session encapsulation information database apparatus to the cable modem termination system, wherein the controller is configured to receive bypass encapsulation information from the cable modem termination system, the bypass encapsulation information including a bypass flow entry having a flow classifier component that uniquely identifies the bypass flow entry and includes data for transmitting IP content from the at least one network to the downstream modulator in such a way that the transmitted IP content bypasses the cable modem termination system, wherein the controller is configured to provide the bypass encapsulation information received from the cable modem termination system to the at least one content source responsive to receiving the flow classifier component from the content source, and wherein the at least one IP content source uses the bypass encapsulation information provided by the session encapsulation information database apparatus to transmit IP content from the at least one network to the downstream modulator in such a way that the transmitted IP content bypasses the cable modem termination system coupled to the at least one network.