SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PROVISIONING CABLE MODEM SERVICES USING VIRTUAL NETWORK ZONES IN A DATA-OVER-CABLE NETWORK

After an initialization sequence is executed between the cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) the cable modem is assigned to a provisioning zone that prevents the cable modem from accessing services via a services network. While the cable modem is in the provisioning zone, however, it is allowed to access a provisioning network that it can use to register customer information with a provisioning server. The provisioning server then configures one or more accounts for the customer on a subscriber server based on the particular services requested by the customer during registration. Finally, the cable modem is reassigned to a service zone in which the cable modem is allowed to communicate with both the provisioning network and the service network through the CMTS. Systems, methods, and computer program products that can be used to automatically provision a cable modem for service or update the existing service profile of an already provisioned modem. After an initialization sequence is executed between the cable modem and a cable modem termination system (CMTS) the cable modem is assigned to a provisioning zone that prevents the cable modem from accessing services via a services network. While the cable modem is in the provisioning zone, however, it is allowed to access a provisioning network that it can use to register customer information with a provisioning server. The provisioning server then configures one or more accounts for the customer on a subscriber server based on the particular services requested by the customer during registration. Finally, the cable modem is reassigned to a service zone in which the cable modem is allowed to communicate with both the provisioning network and the service network through the CMTS. Because customers can register for new services electronically through communication with a provisioning server, a customer service representative (CSR) need not be involved in the registration process. Moreover, by enforcing a provisioning zone and a service zone in the CMTS, unauthorized access to services can be reduced, even in systems in which there is no physical separation between the provisioning network and the services network. L'invention concerne des systèmes, des procédés et des produits de programme informatique pouvant être utilisés pour dimensionner automatiquement un modem câblé en vue de l'entretien ou de la mise à jour de l'équipement en service existant d'un modem déjà dimensionné. Après l'exécuti