Abstract: A Software Defined Quorum (SDQ) system implements a quorum system using Software Defined Networking (SDN). The SDQ system includes a controller/orchestrator; a plurality of compute/storage devices each comprising a normal container and a quarantine container; and a network communicatively coupling the controller/orchestrator and the plurality of compute/storage devices together; wherein the controller/orchestrator is configured to classify content in the quorum system based on policy attributes, address content to the plurality of compute/storage devices using a service tag based on networking attributes for the network, and address the content to one of the normal container and the quarantine container in each of the plurality of compute/storage devices using a first customer tag for the normal container and a second customer tag for the quarantine container based on the networking attributes.

Abstract: A workloads management method for on-demand applications in distributed Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (dNFVI) includes receiving usage data from a unikernel implementing one or more functions of a plurality of functions related to a Virtual Network Function (VNF); determining an update to the one or more functions in the unikernel based on the usage data; updating the unikernel by requesting generation of application code for the unikernel based on the update; and starting the updated unikernel and redirecting service requests thereto.

Abstract: Bandwidth management systems and methods for a Software Defined Networking (SDN) network include obtaining network data related to downloads in a network and analyzing the network data to determine network services associated with the downloads; detecting congestion on one or more network services of the network services; and causing bandwidth orchestration for the one or more network services based on network resources available, policies associated with the one or more network services, and a state of associated downloads of the one or more network services.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Virtual Network Function (VNF) service chain optimization include, responsive to a request, determining placement for one or more VNFs in a VNF service chain based on a lowest cost determination; configuring at least one programmable region of acceleration hardware for at least one VNF of the one or more VNFs; and activating the VNF service chain. The lowest cost determination can be based on a service chain cost model that assigns costs based on connectivity between switching elements and between hops between sites. The activating can include a Make-Before-Break (MBB) operation in a network to minimize service interruption of the VNF service chain.

Abstract: Bandwidth management systems and methods performed in a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controlled network include, responsive to detecting congestion on one or more network services with identifiable data therein, obtaining policy associated with the congested network services and causing bandwidth on demand in the network to mitigate the congestion if the bandwidth on demand is possible in the network and permitted based on the policies of the congested network services; responsive to the congestion remaining subsequent to the bandwidth on demand or if the bandwidth on demand is not possible or permitted, orchestrating bandwidth for the congested network services based on their associated priority in their policy; and, responsive to the congestion remaining subsequent to the orchestrating bandwidth based on priority, orchestrating bandwidth for the congested network services based on an amount remaining to download for each of the congested network services.

Abstract: Adjacency detection systems and methods configured to detect physical interconnection between two devices in a network include communicating data with one or more controllers and data sources associated with the network; for a given port in the network to detect a corresponding port physically connected thereto, causing orchestration of changes in performance monitoring data for the given port over a period of time; and analyzing the data subsequent to the orchestration to detect the corresponding port. The systems and methods can operate over multiple network layers, with different vendor equipment, independent of network protocols, and in-service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for Software Defined Networking (SDN) orchestration of antennas and frequencies in a heterogeneous Radio Access Network (RAN) include maintaining status of a plurality of devices connected to the heterogeneous RAN; determining whether to upgrade connections of a first subset of the plurality of devices; determining whether to downgrade connections of a second subset of the plurality of devices; and providing instructions to the heterogeneous RAN for the first subset and the second subset. The systems and methods enable enforcement of business-aware prioritization on the heterogeneous RAN.

Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking, predicting, and mitigating Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) attacks in a network include detecting, from monitoring, events related to one or more subscribed entities, wherein the monitoring includes two or more of analyzing traffic flow, analyzing virtual currency transactions, and monitoring information related to the one or more subscribed entities on the Internet; analyzing the events to determine a likelihood of an attack on a specific subscribed entity of the one or more subscribed entities; and causing mitigation of the attack based on the determined likelihood, wherein the mitigation comprises one or more actions in the network relative to the specific subscribed entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect and characterize fake cell towers in a network operator's network include receiving live data comprising any of crowd-sourced data and tower data; performing live data analysis on the live data and reference data; and detecting the fake cell towers based on the live data analysis. Optionally, spectrum data captured at cell towers by a baseband processor coupled to backhaul equipment can be used as additional input.

Abstract: A method and server to detect, diagnose, and mitigate issues in a network include receiving Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) data related to the network, the OAM data related to current operation of the network; instantiating a rule engine to evaluate one or more rules based on any one of the OAM data, an event, policy, and an anomaly; and performing one or more actions based on the evaluating the one or more rules. A Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller is also described.

Abstract: A method, operated by a Software Defined Networking (SDN) controller associated with an Autonomous System (AS) with one or more peering points, each peering point with an associated router communicatively coupled to the SDN controller, the method for detecting and defending against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, and the method includes receiving data from the one or more peering points; detecting malicious traffic at the one or more peering points; determining a peer quality measurement for the one or more peering points; and communicating the peer quality measurement and other data associated with the malicious traffic to one or more other SDN controllers, associated with Autonomous Systems connected through the one or more peering points, to facilitate convergence of the peer quality measurement back to a nominal level.

Abstract: A method, through a server, to determine carbon footprint of a network service, in a network, includes determining power consumption and cooling requirements of network devices associated with the network service; determining associated carbon footprint coefficients for power sources associated with each of the network devices; and determining carbon footprint of the network service based on the power consumption, the cooling requirements, and the associated carbon footprint coefficients.

Abstract: A data synchronization method, in a network element operating in a network, includes generating an event at the network element that needs to be synchronized with other devices in the network; based on assigned tokens for the network element, generating a row key for the event; and providing the row key to a Highly-Available (HA) key-value storage system for synchronization therewith, wherein the HA key-value storage system includes a plurality of nodes including the network element and the other devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monetizing a carrier network are provided. In an example, a wavelength service is captured from deployed network assets in a carrier network. A revenue factor (R), a capital expenditure factor (C), an operational expenditure factor (O), and a service level agreement factor (S) are selected from an analytic profile of the carrier network based on the wavelength service requirements. The R, C, O, and S factors are hexadecimal numbers, and can be weighted relative to each other. An index is calculated by concatenating the R, C, O, and S factors a prioritized order and converting the resultant hexadecimal number into a decimal number. The calculated index is assigned to the wavelength service. The index can be displayed, along with indices for other wavelengths on other paths, to a user in a graphical form.

Abstract: A mobile-device method and system implement validating installation of a network device, for example the installation and validation of cards within a network element. Installation data is loaded onto the mobile device and one or more cards are installed in a network element, the cards having QR codes. An image of the installation is captured and the QR codes are recognized in the captured image. The cards are identified by association with the recognized markers and the physical locations, such as slot positions, of the cards relative to the network element are determined. The installation is validated with regard to slot assignments of cards and an installation report is uploaded from the mobile device to central servers.

Abstract: A method, a server, and a management system correlate performance data in loosely coupled software, such as network and element management systems, with minimal overhead. The systems and methods can be used to determine performance bottlenecks and interdependencies between components by correlating and analyzing collected data. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems and methods can relate to network management systems (NMSs), element management systems (EMSs), and the like, which are collectively referred to herein as management systems. Management systems can include a loosely coupled software architecture that utilizes a message-based communication mechanism. As messages are processed, synchronous calls between components of the management system as employed as well. For the purpose of performance analysis and optimization, the systems and method correlate data between synchronous and asynchronous interactions as each message is processed through a management system.