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To: Peppe who wrote (9943)	3/2/1999 9:51:00 PM
From: Doug	Respond to of 18016

Peppe:I was referring to existing problems , existing Cable Networks; and the way these have been laid out. I would be most thankful if you could point me to any any reference showing how the use of Routers in existing Cable Networks in existing neighbourhoods has led to any improvement in the QoS. Regards.

To: Peppe who wrote (9943)	3/2/1999 10:11:00 PM
From: Geof Hollingsworth	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 18016

<I think you are reffering to an age old issue of bridging (layer 2) vs routing (layer 3) functionality> I doubt it-the cable networks are already routed today among the "nodes" which interconnect the neighbohoods-the problem is almost certainly the contention among the houses served by a given node, similar to the problems of contention among users on a LAN. The major cable systems have been set up with a very asymetrical data path, with much less bandwidth assigned to carry the return signals (from the home) than the bandwidth assigned to the downstream (to the home). To further add to the problem, the spectrum allocated to carry the upstream signals is subject to noise interference (cable systems connected to TV sets create a very effective antenna-picks up hair dryers, Voice of America, you name it) which further reduces the upstream capacity and can knock it completely off the air. When you further add in the fact that your downstream performance is not going to exceed 10X the upstream capacity (because of the way TCP/IP works), you can see why everyone is complaining as the system starts to get loaded. The solutions include segmenting the network (fewer homes/node, very expensive) or better modems (12 months away at least for the next upgrade) or....? And speaking of getting loaded, I think its quiting time <G>!