Abstract: Theft detection in data center networks may be provided. First, a first leaf switch may create an entry in a first distributed secure cache in response to an endpoint appearing on the first leaf switch. The entry may correspond to the endpoint and may be marked as having a tentative state. Then a request message may be sent to a plurality of leaf switches. The request message may comprise data identifying the endpoint. Next, a reply message may be received in response to the request message from a second leaf switch within the plurality of leaf switches. The tentative state may then be removed from the entry in response to the reply message indicating that the endpoint is valid.

Abstract: Theft detection in data center networks may be provided. First, a first leaf switch may create an entry in a first distributed secure cache in response to an endpoint appearing on the first leaf switch. The entry may correspond to the endpoint and may be marked as having a tentative state. Then a request message may be sent to a plurality of leaf switches. The request message may comprise data identifying the endpoint. Next, a reply message may be received in response to the request message from a second leaf switch within the plurality of leaf switches. The tentative state may then be removed from the entry in response to the reply message indicating that the endpoint is valid.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for dynamic creation of a unique service path for a service chain. In one example, a service controller and a plurality of service nodes are provided, each service node configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective service node. The service controller defines a service chain identifying a set of service functions and an order in which they are applied. The service controller receives an indication that the service chain has been instantiated at a classifier, and creates a unique service path for the service chain, wherein the unique service path includes the service chain and the classifier at which the service chain is instantiated.

Abstract: A plurality of network nodes are deployed in a network, each network node configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A controller generates information for a service chain that involves application to traffic of one or more service functions at corresponding ones of the plurality of network nodes along a forward path through the one or more network nodes. The controller identifies one or more of the service functions within the service chain that is stateful. When one or more of the service functions of the service chain is stateful, the controller generates information for a reverse path through the one or more service nodes for the one or more stateful service functions. The controller binds a forward chain identifier for the forward path with a reverse chain identifier for the reverse path for the service chain.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for dynamic creation of a unique service path for a service chain. In one example, a service controller and a plurality of service nodes are provided, each service node configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective service node. The service controller defines a service chain identifying a set of service functions and an order in which they are applied. The service controller receives an indication that the service chain has been instantiated at a classifier, and creates a unique service path for the service chain, wherein the unique service path includes the service chain and the classifier at which the service chain is instantiated.

Abstract: A plurality of network nodes are deployed in a network, each network node configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective network nodes. A controller generates information for a service chain that involves application to traffic of one or more service functions at corresponding ones of the plurality of network nodes along a forward path through the one or more network nodes. The controller identifies one or more of the service functions within the service chain that is stateful. When one or more of the service functions of the service chain is stateful, the controller generates information for a reverse path through the one or more service nodes for the one or more stateful service functions. The controller binds a forward chain identifier for the forward path with a reverse chain identifier for the reverse path for the service chain.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to detect end host machines in a layer 2 Ethernet network are provided. The knowledge of the detected hosts may then be utilized by various security applications operating on layer 2 devices at the access and the distribution layers of the network for host session monitoring. Hosts that are no longer connected or do not respond to a layer 2 query may have their access privileges revoked.