Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for mDNS support in unified access networks are described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for reducing traffic loss when bringing up a switch within a multi chassis switch cluster without using dedicated intra cluster links is presented. A first network device in a cluster discovers at least one path to a second network device in the cluster, wherein the cluster utilizes at least one virtual IST between the first network device and the second network device. The first network device starts an Inter Switch Trunk (IST) synchronization process with the second network device. The first network device installs redirection rules, wherein the redirection rules are used for datapath traffic and are not used for control channel traffic. The first network device determines that the IST synchronization process between the first network device and the second network device has completed, and removes the redirection rules.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a best route selection rule is presented. A determination is made at a first edge router, whether a second edge router in a network advertises a first BMAC address and at least one other BMAC address When the second edge router advertises only a first BMAC address, then the first BMAC address is used in a routing table for a Layer 3 (L3) next hop for a route. When the second edge router advertises more than one BMAC address, at least one other BMAC address is used in the routing table for said L3 next hop for the route.

Abstract: A network, a Visible Light Communications controller (120), and a method relate to a network architecture splitting frame processing functionality between Light Fidelity Access Points (130) and the Visible Light Communications controller or a virtualized controller. In such configurations, the Light Fidelity Access Points are so-called thin devices that may be widely deployed through an infrastructure to concurrently provide illumination and network access via Visible Light Communications protocols such as IEEE 802.15.7 or variants thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology provide out-of-band captive portal devices, networks, and methods. An example of a method includes executing a redirection of a client request for network access to a captive portal login, initiating an association between the wireless controller and the client, receiving authentication credentials of client from the captive portal login, negotiating a change of authorization with a wireless controller in accordance with RFC 5176 protocol, wherein the controller includes a mapping to a captive portal Internet Protocol (IP) address, and redirecting the client to a URL specified in the client request for network access.

Abstract: An access gateway monitors a communication session to a first host for commands entered by a user. For example, commands entered in a command line terminal by the user. When a command is received, the access gateway receives information about an effect caused by the command on the first host. The access gateway determines if the effect results in an attempt to establish a communication session between the first host and a second host. For example, to copy files from the second host. In response to determining that the effect results in an attempt to establish a communication session between the first host and the second host, an action is generated. For example, the action may be to block the attempt to establish the communication between the first host and the second host.

Abstract: The present invention provides method and systems for activating or deactivating network devices by managing the power of the network device. By controlling the power for network devices, the size and coverage of the network can be adjusted to meet the needs for the current usage. This can be particularly advantageous in wireless networks where multiple wireless access points may be provided to provide coverage during peak usage but present the additional security concern of the network being accessible to unauthorized users. Being able to power down unneeded wireless access points during off-peak usage allows for the minimization of such potential security concerns.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selectively processing VLAN traffic from different networks while allowing flexible VLAN identifier assignment are disclosed. According to one aspect, a layer 2 switch includes a virtual switch identifier data structure that associates a VLAN identifier extracted from a layer 2 frame and a port identifier corresponding to a port on which a frame is received with a virtual switch identifier. The virtual switch identifier is used to select a per-virtual-switch data structure, such as a forwarding table. The per-virtual-switch data structure is used to control processing of the layer 2 frame on a per-virtual-switch basis. The per-virtual-switch data structure may also be updated separately from the data structures assigned to other virtual switches.

Abstract: A network comprises a plurality of switches coupled in a ring topology, wherein each adjacent pair of switches in the plurality of switches forms a multiple link aggregation group interswitch connection therebetween and forms a ring resiliency protocol logical node. A first switch in a first adjacent pair of the plurality of switches is coupled via a first link to a second switch in a second adjacent pair of the plurality of switches, and a third switch in the first adjacent pair is coupled via a second link to a fourth switch in the second adjacent pair. In the event of a failure of the first link, a packet flow to be transmitted from the first switch over the first link is redirected from the first switch to the third switch for transmission over the second link to the fourth switch.

Abstract: A method, a controller, and a network provide Visible Light Communications Personal Area Network (VPAN) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interworking and mobility management systems and methods. The method includes receiving data traffic from both a Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) domain and a Visible Light Communications (VLC) domain, uniquely identifying, in a controller, a device in both the WLAN domain and the VLC domain as a same device using an addressing scheme associated with both the WLAN domain and the VLC domain, wherein the device is configured to operate in both the WLAN domain and the VLC domain, and providing data traffic to the device via one of the WLAN domain and the VLC domain based on a plurality of factors.

Abstract: Assisting a user to navigate through a performance of a task, the task including a plurality of sub-tasks. Two or more of the sub-tasks are serially presented on a graphical user interface. Each of the two or more sub-tasks is displayed in a respective area of the graphical user interface. For each of the two or more sub-tasks, the user is enabled to perform the sub-task by entering information into the respective area of the sub-task as the sub-task is presented. While the two or more sub-tasks are being presented, a sub-task list of items is displayed to the user on the graphical user interface. Each item represents a respective one of the plurality of sub-tasks. Displaying the sub-task list includes displaying, within at least one of the items, information corresponding to the sub-task represented by the at least one item.

Abstract: A function is provided in a network system for policy-based dynamic mirroring for network traffic. The function monitors events, topology and status of the network and installs, enables, selects or changes traffic mirrors associated with the operation of one or more devices of the network. The mirror policies are established based on network polices and/or rules. The mirror policies and the enablement, installation, selection or changing of them are based on multiple criteria. The function provides for the selection of traffic to mirror, how much of it to mirror, where to mirror it and when to stop the mirroring. The function may be established in network entry devices as well as core switching devices of the network. The function can select portals for the mirroring activity and can secure the mirroring.

Abstract: A system and related method for the exchange of information, data and instructions between one or more network administrators and one or more network infrastructure devices via one or more media exchanges. Devices are managed using a social media agent including a session agent that translates media messages into network device content and vice versa while maintaining context. Particular media interfaces may be selected for messaging dependent upon the particular message to be exchanged. Shorthand may be used to facilitate messaging through media of interest.

Abstract: A network, a Visible Light Communications (VLC) controller, and a method relate to a network architecture splitting frame processing functionality between Light Fidelity (LiFi) Access Points (APs) and a VLC controller or virtualized controller. In such configurations, the LiFi APs are so-called thin devices that may be widely deployed through an infrastructure to concurrently provide illumination and network access via VLC protocols such as IEEE 802.15.7 or variants thereof.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for forwarding Inter-Switch Connection (ISC) frames in a Network-to-Network Interconnect (NNI) topology, for example, via a network switch which includes a first physical switch port to receive a physical switch link from a second network switch; logic to implement a first logical ISC and a second logical ISC? connection to the second network switch via the physical switch link; a second physical switch port to receive an interface connection from a third network switch; and switch forwarding logic to forward frames received at the first network switch to the second network switch via the logical ISC or logical ISC? based on whether or not the physical switch link is part of an active topology upon which the network switch operates or is not part of the active topology upon which the network switch operates. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein provide redundant connectivity between an Ethernet Automatic Protection Switching (EAPS) access network and a Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) network. A first VPLS node is provided to function as an EAPS controller node. A second VPLS node is provided to function as an EAPS partner node. The first and second VPLS nodes are linked by a pseudowire and an EAPS shared-link. Additional EAPS nodes are also provided. The additional EAPS nodes are linked to each other and one of the additional EAPS nodes is designated as a master node. Links are also established between the VPLS nodes and the EAPS nodes such that one or more EAPS rings are formed. Each EAPS ring includes the shared-link between the first and second VPLS nodes. The EAPS rings are monitored to detect link failures.

Abstract: Systems, mechanisms, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for dynamically tagging VLANs. For example, in one embodiment such means include: means for receiving a packet having identified therein a source Media Access Control (MAC) address and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) Identifier, wherein the VLAN identifier corresponds to a VLAN which is non-existent on a network switch; means for modifying the packet received to include two VLAN tags, a first VLAN tag corresponding to the VLAN identifier identified within the packet received and a second VLAN tag, distinct from the first; means for determining no forwarding database entry exists for the modified packet; and means for creating the VLAN on the network switch to handle received packets tagged with the VLAN identifier.

Abstract: A system for providing at least one node of an n-node multi-switch link aggregation group (MLAG) includes a packet forwarding device for receiving a packet destined for at least one n-node MLAG, n being an integer greater than 2. The packet forwarding device includes a packet forwarding database for storing packet forwarding rules for the at least one n-node MLAG. The packet forwarding device further includes a processing element for forwarding, blocking forwarding of, or redirecting the packet in accordance with one of the packet forwarding rules defined for the n-node MLAG group in the packet forwarding database.

Abstract: A function is provided for identifying computer applications running on a network. Information obtained from frames having content associated with computer applications is examined and compared to information stored on the network. The stored information is obtained from a plurality of mechanisms including computer application signatures. An application identification engine of the function compares examined content with the known application information and determines an indication of the likely computer application associated with the examined frames. The determination output may include a level of confidence in the accuracy of the determination. The function includes an application programming interface to allow the introduction into the engine of custom mechanisms for application identification. The different mechanisms may be weighted. The function may be provided in one or more devices of the network including a standalone appliance.

Abstract: Systems and apparatuses are disclosed having a 3×8 stacked RJ45 connector with an integrated LEDs option for a 1U product form factor to provide increased density of an RJ45 connector which utilizes open source and non-proprietary modular connectors in conformity with published standards. For example, in one embodiment such systems and apparatuses include a networking component having therein a connector which includes a plurality of RJ45 jacks arranged into exactly three horizontal rows and a plurality of vertical columns; a printed circuit board to electrically interface with each of the plurality of RJ45 jacks; and a 1× Rack Unit (1U) chassis having the connector and printed circuit board therein, in which at least a portion of the connector extends into a horizontal plane occupied by the printed circuit board. Rack systems and methods are further described for employing such a networking component.