Patent ID: 6839829

Claim:
A method implemented on a working CMTS for providing redundancy to a cable network in which the working CMTS has a subnet of IP addresses for assigning to its cable modems and the working CMTS provides normal service to a cable modem and a protection CMTS, which has its own subnet of IP addresses, takes over service to the cable modem should service from the working CMTS become unavailable, the method comprising: (a) participating in registration of the cable modem to allow servicing of the cable modem by the working CMTS; and (b) obtaining an IP address for the cable modem, which IP address is obtained from an address space outside the subnet of the working CMTS, wherein the IP address is used in communications with both the working CMTS and the protection CMTS, whereby taking over service to the cable modem is performed without re-registering the cable modem or obtaining a new IP address for the cable modem and comprises requesting that the cable modem adjust at least one of the following parameters: transmission power, transmission frequency, and transmission time slots.