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 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: Techniques are provided to manage how router advertisement messages are forwarded for ultimate wireless transmission in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multicast router advertisement message intended for a virtual local area network is converted into individual unicast router advertisement messages directed to specific wireless mobile client devices that are part of that virtual local area network. In another embodiment, router advertisement messages are routed between controllers according to the current location of a wireless mobile client device. In still other embodiments, techniques are provided to minimize the volume of the router advertisement messages sent over a wireless network, and to proactively send a unicast router advertisement message to a mobile client device that has performed a handoff, without waiting for a router solicitation message.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a core network node configured to associate with a native multicast group a first client device that is associated with a first virtual local area network (VLAN) and operatively coupled to the core network node via a first access network node and an aggregation network node. The core network node can associate with the native multicast group a second client device that is associated with a second VLAN and operatively coupled to the core network node via a second access network node and the aggregation network node. The core network node can define a multicast VLAN including the first VLAN and the second VLAN based on the native multicast group. The core network node can receive a multicast data unit associated with the native multicast group and can also define a single instance of the multicast data unit for the multicast VLAN.

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: Techniques are provided to manage how router advertisement messages are forwarded for ultimate wireless transmission in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multicast router advertisement message intended for a virtual local area network is converted into individual unicast router advertisement messages directed to specific wireless mobile client devices that are part of that virtual local area network. In another embodiment, router advertisement messages are routed between controllers according to the current location of a wireless mobile client device. In still other embodiments, techniques are provided to minimize the volume of the router advertisement messages sent over a wireless network, and to proactively send a unicast router advertisement message to a mobile client device that has performed a handoff, without waiting for a router solicitation message.

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.

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 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 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 a core network node configured to be operatively coupled to a set of network nodes. The core network node is configured to receive a broadcast signal from a network node from the set of network nodes, which is originated from a host device operatively coupled to the network node. The broadcast signal is sent via a tunnel from the network node to the core network node, such that other network nodes that are not included in the tunnel do not receive the broadcast signal. The core network node is configured to retrieve control information associated with the broadcast signal without sending another broadcast signal, and then send the control information to the network node.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a core network node configured to associate with a native multicast group a first client device that is associated with a first virtual local area network (VLAN) and operatively coupled to the core network node via a first access network node and an aggregation network node. The core network node can associate with the native multicast group a second client device that is associated with a second VLAN and operatively coupled to the core network node via a second access network node and the aggregation network node. The core network node can define a multicast VLAN including the first VLAN and the second VLAN based on the native multicast group. The core network node can receive a multicast data unit associated with the native multicast group and can also define a single instance of the multicast data unit for the multicast VLAN.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive at a tunnel server, a data unit addressed to a communication device, and define, a first instance of the data unit and a second instance of the data unit. The first instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a first tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a first base station associated with a first network. The second instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a second tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a second base station associated with a second network. The second instance of the data unit is dropped by the communication device when the first instance of the data unit is received before the second instance of the data unit.

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, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive at a tunnel server, a data unit addressed to a communication device, and define, a first instance of the data unit and a second instance of the data unit. The first instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a first tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a first base station associated with a first network. The second instance of the data unit is sent to the communication device via a second tunnel defined between at least the tunnel server and a second base station associated with a second network. The second instance of the data unit is dropped by the communication device when the first instance of the data unit is received before the second instance of the data unit.

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.

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.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to manage how router advertisement messages are forwarded for ultimate wireless transmission in a wireless network. In one embodiment, a multicast router advertisement message intended for a virtual local area network is converted into individual unicast router advertisement messages directed to specific wireless mobile client devices that are part of that virtual local area network. In another embodiment, router advertisement messages are routed between controllers according to the current location of a wireless mobile client device. In still other embodiments, techniques are provided to minimize the volume of the router advertisement messages sent over a wireless network, and to proactively send a unicast router advertisement message to a mobile client device that has performed a handoff, without waiting for a router solicitation message.