Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node configured to be included in a set of network nodes operatively coupled to a core network node. The network node is configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from a host device operatively coupled to the network node. The network node is configured to send the first packet to the core network node via a first path of a tunnel between the network node and the core network node. The first path of the tunnel has a first cost. The network node is configured to send the second packet to the core network node via a second path of the tunnel. The second path has a second cost different than the first cost.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first controller configured to be operatively coupled within a network having a set of network nodes, a forwarding gateway and a configuration entity. The first controller is configured to manage session state and node state associated with the set of network nodes independent of the forwarding gateway. The first controller is configured to fail over to a second controller when the first controller fails, without the forwarding gateway failing over and without the configuration entity failing over.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node configured to be included in a set of network nodes operatively coupled to a core network node. The network node is configured to receive a first packet and a second packet from a host device operatively coupled to the network node. The network node is configured to send the first packet to the core network node via a first path of a tunnel between the network node and the core network node. The first path of the tunnel has a first cost. The network node is configured to send the second packet to the core network node via a second path of the tunnel. The second path has a second cost different than the first cost.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to receive, via a network and from a wireless access point or an access network node, a control packet defined based on a control protocol. The control packet is associated with at least one control function of the wireless access point or access network node. The control module is configured to determine a status of an access network node based on the control packet from the access network node. The control module is configured to send via the network, a response to the access network node based on the status of the access network node.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a first Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to be designated as a backup control module for a wireless access point during a first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to receive state information associated with the wireless access point during the first time period from a second CAPWAP control module. The second CAPWAP control module is designated as a primary control module for the wireless access point during the first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to be automatically designated as the primary control module during a second time period after the first time period and in response to the second CAPWAP control module not operating according to at least one predefined criterion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first controller configured to be operatively coupled within a network having a set of network nodes, a forwarding gateway and a configuration entity. The first controller is configured to manage session state and node state associated with the set of network nodes independent of the forwarding gateway. The first controller is configured to fail over to a second controller when the first controller fails, without the forwarding gateway failing over and without the configuration entity failing over.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a core network node and a control module within an enterprise network architecture. The core network node is configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a first tunneled packet associated with a first session from a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive a second tunneled packet associated with a second session from a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes through intervening wired network nodes from the set of wired network nodes. The control module is operatively coupled to the core network node. The control module is configured to manage the first session and the second session.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to receive, via a network and from a wireless access point or an access network node, a control packet defined based on a control protocol. The control packet is associated with at least one control function of the wireless access point or access network node. The control module is configured to determine a status of an access network node based on the control packet from the access network node. The control module is configured to send via the network, a response to the access network node based on the status of the access network node.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a first Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to be designated as a backup control module for a wireless access point during a first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to receive state information associated with the wireless access point during the first time period from a second CAPWAP control module. The second CAPWAP control module is designated as a primary control module for the wireless access point during the first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to be automatically designated as the primary control module during a second time period after the first time period and in response to the second CAPWAP control module not operating according to at least one predefined criterion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to receive, via a network and from a wireless access point or an access network node, a control packet defined based on a control protocol. The control packet is associated with at least one control function of the wireless access point or access network node. The control module is configured to determine a status of an access network node based on the control packet from the access network node. The control module is configured to send via the network, a response to the access network node based on the status of the access network node.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a network node operatively coupled within a network. The network node is configured to send a first authentication message upon boot up, and receive, in response to the first authentication message, a second authentication message configured to be used to authenticate the network node. The network node is configured to send a first discovery message, and receive, based on the first discovery message, a second discovery message configured to be used by the network node to identify an address of the network node and an address of a core network node within the network. The network node is configured to set up a control-plane tunnel to the core network node based on the address of the network node and the address for the core network node and receive configuration information from the core network node through the control-plane tunnel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a first Control And Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to be designated as a backup control module for a wireless access point during a first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to receive state information associated with the wireless access point during the first time period from a second CAPWAP control module. The second CAPWAP control module is designated as a primary control module for the wireless access point during the first time period. The first CAPWAP control module is configured to be automatically designated as the primary control module during a second time period after the first time period and in response to the second CAPWAP control module not operating according to at least one predefined criterion.

Abstract: A network device is provided in a private virtual local area network (VLAN). The network device receives a packet on one of multiple private VLAN ports of the network device, and assigns a classified VLAN signature to the packet. The network device also assigns a primary VLAN signature to the packet, and stores a media access control (MAC) address and the classified VLAN signature of the packet in a single MAC address table.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first controller configured to be operatively coupled within a network having a set of network nodes, a forwarding gateway and a configuration entity. The first controller is configured to manage session state and node state associated with the set of network nodes independent of the forwarding gateway. The first controller is configured to fail over to a second controller when the first controller fails, without the forwarding gateway failing over and without the configuration entity failing over.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first core device configured to be disposed within a network. The network has a set of access nodes and a second core device. The first core device is configured to receive a signal designating the first core device as a master device for a virtual group identifier such that the second core device is designated as a back-up device for that virtual group identifier.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a core network node and a control module within an enterprise network architecture. The core network node is configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a first tunneled packet associated with a first session from a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive a second tunneled packet associated with a second session from a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes through intervening wired network nodes from the set of wired network nodes. The control module is operatively coupled to the core network node. The control module is configured to manage the first session and the second session.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a core network node and a control module within an enterprise network architecture. The core network node is configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a first tunneled packet associated with a first session from a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive a second tunneled packet associated with a second session from a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes through intervening wired network nodes from the set of wired network nodes. The control module is operatively coupled to the core network node. The control module is configured to manage the first session and the second session.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a core network node configured to be operatively coupled to a set of wired network nodes and a set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive, at a first time, a first data packet to be sent to a wired device operatively coupled to a wired network node from the set of wired network nodes. The core network node is configured to also receive, at a second time, a second data packet to be sent to a wireless device operatively coupled to a wireless network node from the set of wireless network nodes. The core network node is configured to apply a common policy to the first data packet and the second data packet based on an identifier of a user associated with both the wireless device and the wired device.