Optimize your next-generation HFC and DAA deployments with vCCAP Evo™

What were once thought of as tomorrow’s networks are here today. Game-changing technologies like Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) not only enhance and expand the speed, capacity, and density of access networks; they also change the way content is delivered by remaking and redeploying the edge of the network, enabling it to operate without traditional headend RF equipment. This capability enables you to remake your headend to support virtualized, cloud-based or premises-based CCAP operation—the key to unlocking the full potential of these next-generation technologies.

CommScope’s vCCAP Evo™ virtual converged cable access platform is where now meets next®-generation access networks. The vCCAP Evo platform can help you cost-effectively address evolving density, throughput, and efficiency requirements, rapidly adopt new headend technologies as they become available, and nimbly pivot to support new service tiers and expanded subscriber bases. The solution also supports legacy broadcast and Video On Demand (VOD), though more advanced video services may require a platform such as CommScope’s Video Unified Edge (VUE), which is discussed in the”Virtualizing the Video Plane” section of this Solution Page.

The vCCAP Evo platform is based on field-hardened functionality from the C100G I-CCAP chassis to support cloud-native, highly scalable, and highly available virtualized CMTS functionality. The vCCAP Evo platform also supports a separate, virtualized video auxiliary core via products such as CommScope’s Video Unified Edge (VUE). An ideal choice for your next-generation DOCSIS® 4.0 DAA deployments, the vCCAP Evo platform also has the versatility to support your current DOCSIS 3.0, DOCSIS 3.1, and D3.1Enhanced (D3.1E) networks as you transition to full DOCSIS 4.0 capacity.

vCCAP Evo™ Benefits

Increase Speed and Density, Reduce Complexity

Traditional, chassis-based headends will not be able to support DOCSIS 4.0 technologies, due to age and/or density requirements. Virtualizing the headend is therefore a crucial step toward DOCSIS 4.0 network operation.

The familiar complexities of increasing speeds and densities in your current headend architectures—such as installing and maintaining new hardware, addressing equipment failures, updating software and firmware, and meeting expanded space and power requirements—are mitigated in a virtualized operation. The vCCAP Evo platform can more easily support the densities required by DOCSIS 4.0 DAA deployments since the platform supports higher scales of node-based RPD devices per server cluster over time. Now, instead of spending on expanded chassis capacity, increased powering and maintenance requirements, and installing and provisioning new headend equipment, you can leverage the vCCAP Evo platform’s flexible cluster variants to scale your network’s data plane quickly and easily as your fielded device count and subscriber base expands. 

Additionally, the vCCAP Evo platform uses energy more efficiently than hardware-based CCAP chassis because it supports significantly more throughput per watt.

Typical vCCAP Evo™ Architecture

Virtualize Incrementally

As with any new technology, you probably have questions about virtualization. How do you plan for a virtualized deployment? What if you’re not quite ready now but expect to fully virtualize your headend in the future? What if you’re only interested in immediately virtualizing one of your control, management, or video planes?

The good news? With the vCCAP Evo platform, you can virtualize at your own pace, on your own terms, and in targeted areas of your headend, enabling you to maintain full control over your plans for virtualized headend deployments.

The vCCAP Evo platform enables an incremental approach to transitioning headends to fully virtualized operation by supporting the separation of the control plane and the data plane. The vCCAP Evo platform is also flexible enough to support a variety of small, medium, and large cluster options that run on COTS server hardware. These options eliminate the need for custom hardware and enable you to deploy the server hardware of your choice. This versatility lets you choose from one of several vCCAP Evo deployment options to support your preferred network design and upgrade progression, including both centralized and decentralized deployments.

Flexible, Virtualized Network Management

A key benefit of vCCAP Evo operation is support for cloud-based network management solutions. These solutions provide end-to-end visibility across your entire network and help manage the complexity of DAA and next-generation network deployments. By deploying these solutions, you can optimize network operation and discover and resolve potential problems before they impact your subscribers. 

CommScope’s highly available, cloud-based Intelligent Access Controller (IAC) and ServAssure® NXT Network and Element Management solutions provide you with a wide range of analytic, monitoring, and management features that help to improve the efficiency and availability of your current network. They provide equally valuable benefits in vCCAP Evo DAA and HFC I-CCAP network architectures.

Intelligent Access Controller (IAC)
CommScope’s highly scalable and flexible IAC operates in conjunction with the deployment of vCCAP Evo platforms to collect, ingest, and analyze data obtained from fielded devices; IAC also manages vCCAP Evo site recovery in the event of a disaster. Highly scalable, a single IAC deployment can manage multiple vCCAP Evo instances, with support for up to 25,000 DAA nodes and over two million cable modems. Available in both PC and mobile app formats, IAC also features QA code-based, zero touch provisioning for DAA devices from the mobile app and DAA node configuration templates, that simplify the provisioning and integration of new network devices. IAC also supports firmware update scheduling for DAA devices in your network.

Typical IAC Architecture

ServAssure NXT 

CommScope’s ServAssure NXT solution suite provides end-to-end visibility across your entire service delivery environment. It’s an intelligent, agile way for you to control and manage the complexity of your next-generation DAA and access technology deployments. ServAssure NXT Performance Management uses intelligent analytics to collect, normalize, and enrich key information about your network’s performance, enabling your support teams to prevent potential performance issues in your network before they happen. It also features an AI-driven platform for deep analytics, taking the information gleaned from intelligent analytics to help you unlock key insights about several important categories of your service delivery environment.

Typical VUE Architecture

Video Topology Manager (VTM)

The Video Topology Manager (VTM) is a high-level DAA video management solution that can manage multiple VUE video cores. While VTM is optimized for DAA MediaCipher® operation, you can also use it in any CMTS system.

Why CommScope?

Now meets next

Our extensive portfolio, flexible architecture, and professional service capabilities enable service providers to optimally evolve their broadband network. Built upon years of field hardened code and a vast installed base, CommScope’s vCCAP Evo platform is designed with growth and scalability in mind.

Learn more about us

A Legacy of Innovation

CommScope’s Access Network Solutions (ANS) has a comprehensive, innovative portfolio of end-to-end solutions that can help you update and extend the life of your current network assets. Whether you need to modernize an aging plant, deploy next-generation technologies in targeted areas of your network, or monetize your current network deployments by rolling out premium, high-tier services, CommScope has the products, experience, and know-how to help you achieve your business goals.

DOCSIS^® 4.0 Solution Brief

End-to-End Systems Design and Integration

CommScope’s Professional Services team has a rich and diverse set of skills, processes, and methodologies to help you design, deploy, and expand your networks. Whether you need a complete HFC/FTTx network solution, or if you’re planning projects in targeted areas of your network, CommScope’s Professional Services team provides support for every facet of your network upgrade project — from system design to after-sale services such as product training and operational support—to ensure you meet your network upgrade and optimization goals quickly, seamlessly, and economically.

Network Transformation