Will the Standard iteration of DHCPD in Linux (mandrake) support
serving bootp files in a DOCSIS enviroment? I had been told that
DOCSIS "compliant" DHCP servers had additional extensions that
prevents them from working perfectly in an enviroment where the
software is assigning .cfg or .cm files to cable modems based on MAC
address. Any input is appreciated

KR wrote:

Are you working for a cable company? If not, why does this concern you?

--

Fundamentalism is fundamentally wrong.

To reply to this message, replace everything to the left of "@" with
james.knott.

"KR" <mitch@whatnet.biz> wrote in message
news:e0d80afb.0307170636.df90a77@posting.google.co m...
Bootp is not part of DOCSIS....
I use Linux based DHCP servers running on Redhat and Mandrake - you really
need to clarify what you are trying to do. As another poster indicated, if
you are not a Cable Company employee you simply will not "get away" with
what you are attempting. If you are a Cable Company employee, then you have
to have better understanding of your provisioning software. Sending a
specific .cfg based on MAC address of the CM is rather complex and involves
a ton of overheard...
Jim

"Jim" <talk_to_jimNOT@NEEDEDhotmail.com> wrote in message news:<JvERa.2$uT3.11454@news.sjc.globix.net>...
I could really use some help on this. I'd even throw you a few bucks
for talking to me about a linux based provisioning dhcpd ftp server.
Im not a hacker. I have been asked to do a small project for a private
property owner in Atlanta who is having a 36 channel cable headend
built and wants me to do the data side. Can you assist?

Mitch Rogers
Mitch@whatnet.biz

Hi KR

No need to spend money on this. The original question was if DHCP Server in
Linux would serve at a DOCSIS compliant DHCP server.

There is no such things as a docsis compliant DHCP server. There are
parameters which needs to be configured primarily bootp filename for the
Doscis config file.

Which paramters you actually need to set depends on the Hardware. You have
to read manuals - gain some knowledge about the Docsis technology - If you
dont understand whats happening then you cannot set it up correctly. It is
nothing like setting up standard IP networks, a lot of things needs to be
taking into consideration.

At one site we uses the Built-in W2K DHCP server on about 500 CMs and 3
CMTS's it works fine.
A cable operator having about 60.000 CM uses Debian Linux DHCP service for
that purpose. So to answer your original question. Any DHCP server will do,
as long at you can set TFTP server, Bootpfilename options. TOD is almost
allways (all config that i've seen) handled by the CMTS itself.

You dont use ftp for that pupose - which I believe was mentioned in the
original. In the Docsis config file you specify any tftp server and config
files to load once the Docsis has been applied. (Typically for CM routers
like UBR-924 Yes and oldie)

Cheers, Real

"KR" <mitch@whatnet.biz> wrote in message
news:e0d80afb.0307221158.2565582@posting.google.co m...

RealWiild <real@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:3f1dea69$0$13267$edfadb0f@dread15.news.tele.d k...
server were copeid from
also really good extensions for bind

boot-filename option Te%^&*n there is also packet-filename
some will look for tftp-server and others pkt-siaddr/siaddr

Sniff the requests and see what the CM is asking for then make sure your
option numbers are correct. Names differ but numbers dont lie they are the
important
part.

Its not that bad if the RF side of things are cosier.
make sure tftp server running watch log for requests
Same for DHCP
make sure CM is getting proper default (gateway most common problem)
TOD most modems will boot without.
Keep network simple to begin with

why change. Simple stated ISC out performs W2K by a factor of over three.

think thats fixed now. Also some of the free DHCP server with GUI's did not
support
all the options

the
tftp server is. Kind of a chinken and egg thing There is no option in the
config
file for a config file. Do you mean firmware.
If so you can do it through SNMP. docsDevSoftwareAdmin etc....

Every provisioing system from JR to CN simple bang in and out MAC
address from the DHCP server. If has MAC give config file A else
dont give config file then charge Cable Operator a fortune for very little.

My advise learn how to write a script and then learn onshell should take you
about 2
weeks and you have your own provisiong system that comes on a floppy disk.

Sorry If I sounded too cocky here not looking for a fight just being blunt
to
save time. No bad vibes meant.

Slightly

Hi slightly


I did'nt know that. - I would try to look into it.

I know there is a lot of things to consider in building up a Docsis Cable
Network. I hvae tried a lot of different installations in the past. I've
answered from my own experiences. I'm certain, that there are a lot of
things that I'm not familiar with. I worked with Cisco CMTS's and cable
modem from Motorola, Com21, and of course Cisco Systems.

My experience is that .... Docsis Cable Config file kan do a lot of things.
DCHP sets tftpserver and bootp filname of the Docsis config file .... which
bootup the CM and loads additional configurations by the specified
tftpserver and a "new" filename in the Vendor Specific option of the
Docsisconfig file. - Its quite simple and it works fine. Initially this was
SNMP strings but between software releases this stopped working.

TOD is very easily configured on the CMTS, so no need not to do it - Even if
you can boot CMs without..

I mentioned the two different DHCP servers to give ..hm.. proof-of-concept
regarding "any DHCP server will do". It was not ment as a preferred DHCP
server. Use whatever DHCP Server that you like to work with :-)

There is of course a lot of other things in setting up a brand new Docsis
Cable Network. - But the original questions was regrading DHCP servers. But
you have some interresting points - which he'll need to consider.


Cheers, Real

"RealWiild" <real@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:<3f1dea69$0$13267$edfadb0f@dread15.news.tele. dk>...


Excellent post, Thanks for your help! With soem help from a good
friend WE have it up and running in a lab. Gotta Looooooove the
newsgroups

"RealWiild" <real@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:<3f1dea69$0$13267$edfadb0f@dread15.news.tele. dk>...


Excellent post, Thanks for your help! With soem help from a good
friend WE have it up and running in a lab. Gotta Looooooove the
newsgroups

"RealWiild" <real@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:<3f1dea69$0$13267$edfadb0f@dread15.news.tele. dk>...

Excellent post, Thanks for the info, A friend assietd as well and we
have it up and running in a lab. Thanks for your help. Gots ta love
the newsgroups

KR

"slightly" <kas1nac@-G0-AWAY-SPAM-hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<bfm3r6$k7j$1@kermit.esat.net>...
Thanks, Very helpful as well and you're right, the cost of a
provisioning system is prohibitive. This project is for 36 people and
theres no way I could have afforded 1-4k for a software solution.

God bless Linus Torvald

"slightly" <kas1nac@-G0-AWAY-SPAM-hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<bfm3r6$k7j$1@kermit.esat.net>...
Thanks, Very helpful as well and you're right, the cost of a
provisioning system is prohibitive. This project is for 36 people and
theres no way I could have afforded 1-4k for a software solution.

God bless Linus Torvald

"slightly" <kas1nac@-G0-AWAY-SPAM-hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<bfm3r6$k7j$1@kermit.esat.net>...
Thanks, Very helpful as well and you're right, the cost of a
provisioning system is prohibitive. This project is for 36 people and
theres no way I could have afforded 1-4k for a software solution.

God bless Linus Torvald