What does a DOCSIS Engineer do?

What does a DOCSIS Engineer do?

Greetings everyone, my name is Miljan and I’m a DOCSIS engineer in Network Manager team. You’re probably interested in a job of DOCSIS engineer, what does he actually do? Before all of that, let me briefly explain what is actually DOCSIS technology. DOCSIS, or Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification is an international standard in telecommunications, allowing hi-speed data transit over an existing cable television system. Cable operators use it to allow hi-bandwidth internet to its users over the existing cable television network. There are two versions of DOCSIS, American and European. Well, after I explained a bit about DOCSIS itself, we can start with a job of DOCSIS engineer. My job is configuring CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) routers for DOCSIS which cable operators use. Configuration itself sometimes includes configuration of whole system, for example when operators are doing upgrade of existing system with a new CMTS router. But, since most operators already use existing equipment they have, much more common job is configuring new line cards that are added to an existing chassis. In that case I work remote (in case that operator has installed a line card himself, and gave me system access) or I go directly on-site where I do card installation, configuring, load balancing and testing itself. Configuration itself has two vital steps that need to be done, initial line card configuration and load balancing, or redistribution of users so operator has an optimal traffic. Load balancing can be done if operator is making a new node and all new users go to new line card that is installed, or, in case they are optimizing an existing system so it can support more users on existing nodes, then I do user redistribution between all line cards installed in CMTS. After configuration and load balancing are complete, only thing left is testing the new configuration. I check if all existing users are connecting to the system and if they go online. In case that doesn’t happen, I reconfigure the system so all users can go online, and if everything is ok, my intervention is done. Except installation and system configuration, I also work on system maintenance, in case operator contacts me with a problem on their system, I connect remotely and troubleshoot and fix existing problems.

The main question, as with any job, is – is the DOCSIS engineer’s job promising? My answer to that question is definitely YES, because in the world, there are a large number of cable service providers that are more than in need of the assistance of DOCSIS engineers. The thing with DOCSIS is that a lot of operators who at some point only provided cable TV services decide to expand the services to the internet, so there are many small, local operators who are always looking for a good DOCSIS engineer to collaborate with them. In addition to the financial benefit that everyone expects from the job they do, the biggest motivation is that I know that in my job I have helped someone by letting the system work or by troubleshooting the system. As a result, I may have made it possible for you to have the Internet, surf safely or do important business using cable broadband.

 

Network Manager and I are available for your DOCSIS network. Whether you are upgrading an existing system or starting from scratch, we are here to help.

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