Patent attributes
Assignment of network addresses, e.g., IP addresses, to network nodes in a passive optical network (PON) may involve assignment of IP addresses within a common subnet scope to network nodes coupled to different optical fiber links and different interface modules in the PON. In this manner, excessive waste of IP addresses can be avoided. Instead of assigning an entire subnet scope of addresses to the nodes coupled to a single optical fiber link, a common subnet can be allocated across a PON having multiple, independent interfaces, increasing the number of subnet IP addresses that are actually used. Accordingly, the IP address space within a subnet scope can be distributed more efficiently. In addition to conserving IP addresses, the number of subnets allocated by ISPs can be reduced, along with the significant expense incurred by ISPs in reserving and maintaining multiple class C subnets.
