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Abstract

A scalable communications network employing shared logical nodes and a related method are provided. The network includes one or more sources for providing program streams. The program streams may comprise a number of frequency-division multiplexed program streams generated by media servers in an interactive network. Each such source is coupled to a corresponding logical node, which receives a corresponding set of program streams. One or more subscribers are allocated to a logical node according to an expected peak subscriber usage constraint. This constraint is met by allocating subscribers to a node so that an expected maximum number of simultaneously active subscribers within the node substantially avoids exceeding the number of program streams provided by the source corresponding to the node. Each logical node includes at least one physical node. Each physical node includes at least one subscriber. The physical nodes are allocated among the logical nodes so as to satisfy the expected peak subscriber usage constraint. Further, a physical node in one logical node may be shifted to another logical node so as to continue satisfying the expected peak subscriber usage constraints of the logical nodes. A new physical node may also be added to the system and allocated to a logical node so that the peak subscriber usage constraints of the logical nodes are satisfied.

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First Claim