IP Routing Lab Trial

Critical Spares

Network Audit

CMTS Network Evolution

IP Routing Lab Trial Critical Spares Network Audit CMTS Network Evolution

IP Routing Lab

 

Overview: One of RocNet’s partners – a regional provider of FTTH and broadband services – needed to make a capital investment into upgrading their backbone network. RocNet worked with them to evaluate their existing infrastructure and growth requirements, then presented 3 options for hardware and software solutions to meet the customer’s needs.

Details: Having limited experience with the different solutions, the customer wanted the ability to run the 3 different options in a simulated environment. For trial purposes, RocNet built out 3 unique and dedicated end-to-end solutions in their Western NY facility, and allowed the customer remote access to this lab environment for 30 days. The customer was able to test point to point 10G, 40G and 100G DWDM links, optical transceiver hardware, CGNAT, and a variety of other services.

Result: The customer was able to make an informed decision on the next generation of their core network without having to make any initial capital investment or draw resources away from their own internal teams.

Critical Spares

 

Overview: RocNet approached one of their Tier 2 MSO customers with a plan to save them yearly maintenance costs and extend the life of equipment that was nearing End of Life from the manufacturer. The customer was set to continue renewing their 4-hour hardware replacement agreement with the manufacturer, despite the hardware being set to go EOL. RocNet proposed a solution that would provide a quicker turnaround on sparing and save the customer nearly 40% off their annual support contract. The project involved a strong familiarity with the customer’s network, experience with the trends of a major OEM, and knowledge of the secondary market to build an effective solution for the customer.

Details: Just before renewing a maintenance and support contract with a large OEM, the client reached out to RocNet with an interest in exploring other options. Seeing that the hardware in question was set to go EOL, RocNet offered a solution with in-house 24/7 emergency technical support, and on-site critical spares for all non-redundant line cards.

Result: The total cost of the solution came in at about 60% of the annual support contract cost alone from the OEM, and the customer was able to own spares for every site in the network. This allowed the customer to reduce their OPEX as well as cut down-time from 4 hours to a matter of minutes for core elements of their network.

Network Audit

 

Overview: RocNet was approached by a Mid-Tier rural cable and broadband provider with a large geographic footprint. When asked what problems they encounter with their network management, they answered that they did not have a strong accounting of their on-site or centralized spares compared to the active equipment in their network. The client had neither the manpower to gather this information nor the budget to pay for a 3rd party provider to do it for them.

Details: RocNet coordinated a team of technicians and engineers to perform an on-site network audit for 9 headend sites across the network. Our team collected data on active network hardware as well as on-site spares for each site, including manufacturer, part numbers, serial numbers, equipment status and condition. Everything was documented with handheld scanners and backed with images of each headend site.

Result: This data was compiled into a report recommending spares to be added to various sites as well as several centralized hubs, ensuring 4-hour sparing for all equipment in all headends. Because the client opted to purchase all of the hardware spares from RocNet, they were not billed for any of the labor to perform the network audit, allowing them to roll the entire project under their CAPEX budget for equipment purchases.

CMTS Network Evolution

 

Overview: One of RocNet’s core competencies over the past decade has been helping Tier 2 and 3 Cable Operators migrate their CMTS networks from DOCSIS 2.0 to DOCSIS 3.0 by leveraging hardware from the secondary market. From there, we have helped many of these operators increase overall customer bandwidth by adding channel density, from 8 to 16 to 24 to 32. As the Broadband infrastructure has evolved to DOCSIS 3.1, Remote-Phy and beyond, the options for leading-edge solutions from the secondary market has shrunk.

Solution: Due to the lack of viable secondary market options for 3.1 and Remote-Phy, RocNet decided to partner with a prominent provider of technology for the Broadband Industry. After weighing many options, we partnered with Casa Systems, a leading developer of hardware and software solutions for the Cable, Broadband and Wireless industries.

Result: Since that time, RocNet has helped dozens of providers of all sizes find the best fit for their broadband needs. This includes MSOs, Independent Cable Providers, MDU Operators, and Satellite Resellers. Our team of network engineers and sales consultants have worked with new and existing clients to help educate about Remote Phy, DOCSIS 3.1, Virtual CCAP, and 5G Technologies.