Abstract: A self-balancing network may be created by establishing a single control point for a software-defined network (SDN). The SDN includes one or more network slices and utilizes a first network segment using non-routable IP addresses, a second network segment using routable IP addresses, and a third network segment. A first device and a second device are added to a network slice of the one or more network slices of the SDN. The first device is coupled to the first network segment. A network policy is obtained as a part of a service-level agreement for the network slice and at least one of the first network segment, the second network segment, or the third network segment, is configured, by the single control point, to enforce the network policy for communication between the first device and the second device.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for configuring multiple client devices to connect to a network device (e.g., a wireless router). In one embodiment, a setup application executing on one of the client devices determines if the network device has previously been configured. For example, the network device may broadcast a predefined network name to advertise that a user access point has been configured. If the polling setup application detects the predefined network name, then it can skip any steps that would configure the network device. Accordingly, the setup application only configures the client device to connect to the network device.

Abstract: A wireless network client may be configured to use push button configuration (PBC) techniques to associate with wireless networks that include multiple access points. When the configuration buttons on a smart network host device, such as a wireless network host device, and an enrolling client device are pressed, one of the access points is selected to perform the push button configuration process with the client device. The selected access point then enters a PBC mode, allowing the client and selected access point to perform the authentication and configuration exchange.

Abstract: One or more portable identification devices associated with a first smart network can be carried with a user of the first smart network to a second smart network and used to automatically identify the first smart network and allow authorized access to the smart network via the second smart network. The one or more portable identification devices are configured to automatically provision the second smart network with the information necessary for the second smart network to identify the first smart network and the authorization credentials to connect to the first smart network. In some example embodiments, the portable identification devices may be RFID tags.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as a smart network connector device, a smart network extender device and one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. An installation module is configured to connect to the smart network host device to determine whether a user is attempting to setup multiple network devices substantially simultaneously. The installation module then configures the multiple network devices based on the other network devices connected to the smart network host device. The installation module simplifies setup of the smart network by combining the configuration of multiple network devices into a single setup flow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a network device detects a proximity state change of a mobile device in relation to the detecting network device, and compares the state change and mobile device to a set of configured policies. Based on one or more particular policies matching the state change and the mobile device, the network device may then perform one or more configured actions.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes identifying a bit rate associated with an adaptive streaming client that is engaged in a media session, where the bit rate is used to maintain a particular video quality for a media stream. The method also includes using a network virtual player to lock the bit rate for a particular time interval for the adaptive streaming client; and supporting the bit rate from a network for the adaptive streaming client during the media session. In more particular embodiments, the method can include detecting a plurality of congestion points flow instrumentation; and reducing a committed service rate for the virtual player based, at least in part, on the flow instrumentation.

Abstract: A method of automatically discovering home network device capabilities, ranking devices using the capabilities in accordance with ranking heuristics, and implementing traffic policy in accordance with the ranking.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for discovering a previously configured network device. In one embodiment, a basic service set identification (BSSID) that uniquely identifies a network device (i.e., a router) is saved when the network device or a client device is configured. The stored BSSID indicates that the network device has previously been configured. After the network device is reset—i.e., one or more user-configurable settings return to their default settings—a client device may execute a setup application to reconfigure the network device. The setup application may compare the BSSID being broadcasted by the network device with the BSSID stored in the memory. If the BSSIDs match, the setup application may automatically select the network device without user input. Because the network device was previously configured, the setup application assumes that the user is attempting to reconfigure the network device after it has been reset.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method is provided and includes identifying a first data type of a first payload of a first data packet to be transmitted as part of a flow, where the first data type is identified by evaluating a quality of service (QoS) field, and setting an acknowledgement flag based on the first data type; the acknowledgement flag to indicate that an acknowledgement is not required from a receiving device such that a network device avoids retransmitting a first outgoing frame when the acknowledgement is not received for the first outgoing frame. In more particular instances, the method can include where the acknowledgement flag is in the first outgoing frame.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing firmware updates for a plurality of devices within a wireless network. Embodiments monitor network usage of the plurality of devices to collect historical usage data. An optimal window of time for updating the firmware of the plurality of devices is then determined, based on the collected historical device usage data. Embodiments flag at least one of the plurality of devices for a firmware update, based on a current firmware version of the device and a corresponding available firmware version for the device. In one embodiment, dependencies for each of the plurality of devices are considered in flagging the devices for the firmware update. The firmware of the flagged devices is updated during the determined optimal window of time.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. A client device configured to connect to the smart network may implement one or more modules configured to facilitate connecting to the smart network, registering the client device or services running on the client device with the smart network, diagnosing issues with the client device or the smart network, and upgrading the firmware of the client device. The client device may be configured to perform the various operations with minimal input from an owner of the smart network.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for channel scanning in a network having one or more access points. In one embodiment, a first frequency band is scanned to identify a first access point. A channel indicator is received from the first access point. A second frequency band is scanned based on the channel indicator, to identify a second access point. The second access point may be identified based on the channel indicator.

Abstract: A host device for a wireless network may be configured to implement at least two virtual access points for connecting client devices to the wireless network. A user virtual access point enables a client device to connect to the wireless network and transmit network traffic to other devices connected to the wireless network. In addition, a setup virtual access point provides an additional access point to connect to the wireless network when network credentials for the user virtual access point, such as a service set identifier (SSID) or a password, are changed by a user. When a client device cannot find the user virtual access point based on a stored SSID or password, the client device may be configured to automatically reconnect to the setup virtual access point to request a new SSID and network credentials for the user virtual access point.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. Each of the client devices includes network layer 2 and 3 attributes as well as network layer 7 application attributes. The application attributes are enumerated as named services, which each client device registers with the smart network host device. When a client device needs access to a named service, the smart network host device uses layer 2, 3, and 7 attributes associated with the client device to select a suitable server for providing the named service to the client device.

Abstract: A network association apparatus includes identification information and an authorization credential associated with a specific client device or service to be connected to a wireless network. The apparatus is configured to automatically provide the identification information and the authorization credential to a host device of a wireless network in a secure fashion when brought into close proximity to or physically connected with the host of the wireless network. The apparatus may comprise an RFID tag.

Abstract: A method of describing highly valued traffic in a home network in terms that are meaningful for a human and that are translated to useful network parameters.

Abstract: A wireless network client may be configured to use push button configuration (PBC) techniques to associate with wireless networks that include multiple access points. When the configuration buttons on a smart network host device, such as a wireless network host device, and an enrolling client device are pressed, one of the access points is selected to perform the push button configuration process with the client device. The selected access point then enters a PBC mode, allowing the client and selected access point to perform the authentication and configuration exchange.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for managing firmware updates for a plurality of devices within a wireless network. Embodiments monitor network usage of the plurality of devices to collect historical usage data. An optimal window of time for updating the firmware of the plurality of devices is then determined, based on the collected historical device usage data. Embodiments flag at least one of the plurality of devices for a firmware update, based on a current firmware version of the device and a corresponding available firmware version for the device. In one embodiment, dependencies for each of the plurality of devices are considered in flagging the devices for the firmware update. The firmware of the flagged devices is updated during the determined optimal window of time.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for discovering a previously configured network device. In one embodiment, a basic service set identification (BSSID) that uniquely identifies a network device (i.e., a router) is saved when the network device or a client device is configured. The stored BSSID indicates that the network device has previously been configured. After the network device is reset—i.e., one or more user-configurable settings return to their default settings—a client device may execute a setup application to reconfigure the network device. The setup application may compare the BSSID being broadcasted by the network device with the BSSID stored in the memory. If the BSSIDs match, the setup application may automatically select the network device without user input. Because the network device was previously configured, the setup application assumes that the user is attempting to reconfigure the network device after it has been reset.