This is the MIB module for Usage Based Metering for the
DOCSIS-compliant Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTS).

Usage Based Metering is a software feature provided in the
CMTS so that cable operators can perform subscriber 
account management and metering in a uniform and 
consistent manner. 
It involves the implementation of Subscriber Account 
Management Interface Specification (SAMIS) as defined by 
DOCSIS-OSSI specification. Usage-Based Metering is 
essential in the processing of bills based on services 
rendered to and consumed by paying subscribers. The SAMIS 
specification focuses primarily on bandwidth centric 
usage-based metering scenarios.
The DOCSIS 1.1 RFI specification provides a mechanism for 
a Cable Modem (CM) to register with its Cable Modem 
Termination System (CMTS) and to configure itself based 
on external Quality of Service (QoS) parameters when it 
is powered up or reset. The principal mechanism for 
providing enhanced QoS is to classify packets traversing 
the RF MAC interface into a Service Flow. 
A Service Flow is a unidirectional flow of packets that is
provided a particular Quality of Service. 

The mediation system can then rate the charges differently 
for each of the Service Flow traffic counts based on 
its Service Class. Thus, the mediation system obtains from 
the CMTS the traffic counts for each named Service Flow 
(identified by SFID) that a subscribers CM uses during 
the metering data collection interval. The Usage Based 
Metering requirement is that the CMTS must be able to 
provide formatted Subscriber Usage 
Metering Records for all subscribers attached to the CMTS,
on demand to an external collection system. Optionally, 
the metering records can be stored locally so that it is 
available via ftp to the external collection server.

The CMTS provides two configuration options to handle the
export of metering data.
Local :
Store the record locally on the CMTS after collection. The
metering system should then(operating at its own schedule)
take the file out of the CMTS and is also responsible for
deletion of the local file on the CMTS.  The deletion of 
the file is an indication to the metering collector to 
start construction of the new metering record which will 
then be written to the local filesystem and the cycle 
continues.

Streaming: 
Stream the records to an external collection system as
they get generated.  The time interval in which the record
will be generated is configurable at the CMTS. A secure 
and reliable stream is used to transport the metering 
record out of the CMTS. 
In case the connection to external metering system is 
not possible, CMTS will retry establishing channel for a 
max specified times. 

The MIB allows for configuration of the parameters that 
control the metering record collection like interval, 
amount of metering information required, location or IP 
address of the collection server, and metering filename. 
In addition it provides for some important notificatons to
the NMS to indicate the success/failure of the 
metering collection.