TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB

MIB Reference — IPNetwork Monitor · Updated October 06, 2026

All MIBs › TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB

Organization: 3Com - Cable Access

Last Updated: 1999-04-02

Description: MIB for DOCSIS cable modems using a telco return (PSTN upstream) path, covering capability, mode, and connection status per 3Com IETF draft

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What Is TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB?

This MIB, based on an IETF/3Com draft for "Telco Return" cable modems, addresses DOCSIS cable modems and cable modem termination systems (CMTS) that use a telco-return architecture — where downstream data arrives over the cable plant but the upstream path is instead routed through a PSTN (dial-up/telco) connection, an early DOCSIS deployment model used before widespread two-way HFC upgrades. It exposes objects describing the modem's telco-return capability, its current operating mode, and the status of its dial-up/PSTN upstream connection. Its monitoring focus is on connectivity and configuration status of this hybrid access technology: operators check whether a modem supports and is currently operating in telco-return mode, and monitor the state of the dial-up connection (e.g., connected, dialing, failed) that carries upstream traffic, since a failed telco-return link leaves the subscriber without an upstream path even if the downstream cable connection is fine. It is a companion/extension to the base DOCSIS cable-device MIB and depends on standard modem/interface MIBs for the underlying interface representation. It was deployed in early cable-modem installations (mid-to-late 1990s/early 2000s) where full two-way HFC upstream capacity was not yet available, particularly by 3Com/US Robotics-era telco-return cable modems. Network engineers evaluating or troubleshooting this functionality can download the TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB file directly to load it into their MIB browser.

IPNetwork Monitor allows you to monitor SNMP objects defined in TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB. Use the built-in SNMP Monitoring Browser to explore available variables, view their current values and descriptions, and select the objects you want to monitor. You can then create SNMP monitors, configure thresholds, and receive alerts when monitored values change.

Supported Devices

  • telco-return DOCSIS cable modem
  • cable modem termination system (CMTS) supporting telco return

Monitoring Examples

No sample object names were supplied for this module; based on its documented purpose, an operator would poll objects reporting telco-return capability/mode and the current dial-up (PSTN) connection state per cable modem to detect a modem stuck unable to establish its upstream telco-return call, which would show as a working downstream but a non-functional upstream path.

What Can Be Monitored

  • telco-return capability
  • current operating mode
  • dial-up/PSTN upstream connection status
Imported Objects

From RFC1213-MIB

transmission

From SNMPv2-CONF

MODULE-COMPLIANCE
OBJECT-GROUP

From SNMPv2-SMI

Integer32
IpAddress
MODULE-IDENTITY
OBJECT-TYPE
Unsigned32

From SNMPv2-TC

DateAndTime
DisplayString
RowStatus
TruthValue

From USR-DEFINITIONS-MIB

InterfaceIndexOrZero
OIDs

RFC description

TELCO Return cable modem device MIB for two-way and telco return mode management.

Start monitoring telco-return DOCSIS cable modem, cable modem termination system (CMTS) supporting telco return (dial-up upstream connection status) with a free 30-day trial of IPNetwork Monitor. Import MIBs, browse SNMP OIDs, create custom SNMP monitors, configure alerts, and monitor any SNMP-enabled network device from a single console.

Download TelcoReturnCABLE-DEVICE-MIB