Fault detection and isolation system for an HFC cable network and method therefor

摘要

A fault detection and isolation system for an HFC cable network and method therefore. A ping list generator captures set top box (STB) identifying information from a billing system, and STB state information from a network control system. The ping list generator creates a ping list from the STB identifying information and the STB state information, wherein the list comprises the IP address of a set of the addressable STBs connected to an HFC cable network. In an exemplary embodiment, the set is of sufficient size to be representative of the health of the HFC cable network. In another embodiment of the present invention, the set comprises substantially all of the addressable STBs connected to the HFC cable network. A ping generator, pings the IP address of the STB and awaits a response. If the response is received from the STB, then identify the STB as responsive. If the response is not received, then identify the STB as non-responsive. A fault isolation processor associates the STB identifying information and the ping response, determines whether a non-responsive fault indicator is present, and, if the fault indicator is present, then identifies a likely cause of the non-responsive fault.