Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more memory units for storing an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table. The system further includes one or more processors. The processors receive, from a routing protocol, an Internet Protocol (IP)-Media Access Control (MAC) address pair for a first host computer. The processors further populate the ARP table with the IP-MAC address pair for the first host computer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an interface configured to receive a first request sent from a first customer for a first service provided by a first service provider, the first request being of a first type. The system also includes at least one processor configured to determine a first set of configuration parameters from a first policy associated with the first service provider in response to receiving the first request. The at least one processor also causes a node associated with the first service provider to provide the first service in response to receiving the first request using the first set of configuration parameters.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first packet sent by a first node. The packet includes a first Layer 3 source address, a first Layer 3 destination address, a first Layer 2 source hardware identifier, a first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier, and a first path identifier. The first path identifier is situated between a Layer 2 header of the first packet and a Layer 3 header of the first packet. The method includes automatically determining a first port of the first network element associated with a second node. The second node is associated with the first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier. A second path identifier is automatically determined based on the first port. The first packet is prevented from being delivered to the second node in response to determining that the first path identifier and the second path identifier are different.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first packet sent by a first node. The packet includes a first Layer 3 source address, a first Layer 3 destination address, a first Layer 2 source hardware identifier, a first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier, and a first path identifier. The first path identifier is situated between a Layer 2 header of the first packet and a Layer 3 header of the first packet. The method includes automatically determining a first port of the first network element associated with a second node. The second node is associated with the first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier. A second path identifier is automatically determined based on the first port. The first packet is prevented from being delivered to the second node in response to determining that the first path identifier and the second path identifier are different.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first packet sent by a first node. The packet includes a first Layer 3 source address, a first Layer 3 destination address, a first Layer 2 source hardware identifier, a first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier, and a first path identifier. The first path identifier is situated between a Layer 2 header of the first packet and a Layer 3 header of the first packet. The method includes automatically determining a first port of the first network element associated with a second node. The second node is associated with the first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier. A second path identifier is automatically determined based on the first port. The first packet is prevented from being delivered to the second node in response to determining that the first path identifier and the second path identifier are different.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first packet sent by a first node. The packet includes a first Layer 3 source address, a first Layer 3 destination address, a first Layer 2 source hardware identifier, a first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier, and a first path identifier. The first path identifier is situated between a Layer 2 header of the first packet and a Layer 3 header of the first packet. The method includes automatically determining a first port of the first network element associated with a second node. The second node is associated with the first Layer 2 destination hardware identifier. A second path identifier is automatically determined based on the first port. The first packet is prevented from being delivered to the second node in response to determining that the first path identifier and the second path identifier are different.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes one or more memory units for storing an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table. The system further includes one or more processors. The processors receive, from a routing protocol, an Internet Protocol (IP)-Media Access Control (MAC) address pair for a first host computer. The processors further populate the ARP table with the IP-MAC address pair for the first host computer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes an interface configured to receive a first request sent from a first customer for a first service provided by a first service provider, the first request being of a first type. The system also includes at least one processor configured to determine a first set of configuration parameters from a first policy associated with the first service provider in response to receiving the first request. The at least one processor also causes a node associated with the first service provider to provide the first service in response to receiving the first request using the first set of configuration parameters.