From Then to Now
Alpha's vision for standards based status monitoring of Cable Antenna Television (CATV) power supplies began in 1997, with the introduction of a Web and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) interface for the Genesys series of broadband UPS products. The original concept of using a cable modem to monitor CATV power was awarded a US patent in 1999.
Since that time the CATV industry has adopted the use of Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS) based cable modems for virtually all Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC) power monitoring. Additional standards developed by the Hybrid Management Sub-Layer (HMS) subcommittee within the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers define specific power supply data and alarm information, making any power supply manageable within a DOCSIS network using any SNMP based management software. These products are often referred to as being DOCSIS-HMS compliant. Due to the adoption of these standards, hardware and software vendors now compete on a level playing field based on features, service, and price enabling cable operators to select the solutions that provide the highest value.
New Embedded Products
Alpha recently introduced two new products to the AlphaNet family of monitoring solutions: The DOCSIS Status Monitor (DSM) is an XM2 embedded DOCSIS 2.0 module offering a fully digital status monitoring solution in a single interface card. The DSM utilizes the HMS standards (DOCSIS-HMS), supports a web interface to the XM2 power supply and supports Alpha's XM2 Virtual Dash Board (VDB).
The VDB enables XM2 front panel status and control information to be available from any remote location, giving operators ultimate flexibility. For example, using the XM2 VDB an operator can change the XM2 auto-test cycle duration from the 30 day automatic self-test default to another value, or may disable the feature altogether. Without the VDB the operator would be required to make a site visit to modify these types of parameters. Using VDB, read-only status is available using a standard web browser, while read/write access is accomplished through secure SNMPv3 using an Alpha supplied Management Information Base (MIB) at no charge to XM2 customers.
Alpha's Ethernet Status Monitor (ESM) is an embedded XM2 module with all the features of the DSM but connects to the network using an Ethernet interface instead of a DOCSIS cable modem.
"Many of our cable customers have a surplus of older cable modems and have asked Alpha to provide a way for them to use this inventory for power supply status monitoring," commented John Hewitt, VP of NA Cable Sales.
The ESM provides this solution by enabling a standard cable modem, connected to the ESM Ethernet interface, to be used for power supply status monitoring.
Other New Products
Alpha has recently added a new external DOCSIS transponder to the AlphaNet family of products. The model XP-DSM-A, manufactured for Alpha by AM Networks, provides reliable monitoring for Alpha's XM, AM/AP, Lectro ZTT+ and CPR series of power supplies.
Power Monitoring Software
Alpha has developed an agreement with Seldon Systems to resell their Continuity power supply monitoring solution. Continuity is an SNMP based power supply monitoring system providing many of the benefits of larger network management systems while remaining scalable for smaller cable operators. Continuity is available in multiple tiers based on the number of power supplies to be monitored with the minimum configuration starting at only 150 power supplies. The Continuity system is pre-loaded onto a server and shipped to customers ready to use.
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