Cisco Technology, Inc.

Ishita Sharan

Feisal Y Daruwalla

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for selectively filtering data messages that are communicated between a head end complex and its associated cable modems. Filtering includes obtaining a copy of the message and sending the copied message to a memory device. The memory device is accessible, for example, via a user so that the filtered message may be analyzed. In a preferred embodiment, the memory device is a monitoring device in the form of a computer system (e.g., a router). Messages may be filtered to the memory or monitoring device based on any suitable filtering criteria that identifies specific message parameters. In a specific embodiment, filtering may be based on one or more message types. When filtering criteria specifies a particular message type, messages having such a specified type are filtered to the monitoring station. Additionally or alternatively, filtering may be based on one or more values of a particular field of the message. For instance, when filtering criteria is set to a particular field value, messages that contains that particular field value are copied and sent to the monitoring device. Filtering may also or alternatively be based on whether a message is associated with the downstream channel, the upstream channel, or a particular port number.

Apparatus and methods for sniffing data in a cable head end

Methods and apparatus are provided for performing efficient transaction processing. A working system processes transactions associated with nodes in a data network. The working system can store information such as, for example call state, accounting, subscriber, and/or session information. The working system identifies characteristics and/or relationship information corresponding to the various transactions to modify transaction information into condensed transaction information. The condensed transaction information can be provided to the redundant system coupled to the working system. Upon failover, the redundant system can use the condensed transaction information to maintain flows, such as, for example voice calls between network nodes.

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Ishita Sharan