Abstract: Methods of load-balancing in a network are provided herein. One such method includes steps of receiving network traffic at a network device, the network traffic having a destination address and of performing a look-up in a multipath group table using the destination address. The multipath group table includes entries for recursive next-hops, each recursive next hop being associated with a connected next hop in the multipath group table. The method also include a step of hashing the network traffic according to a number of recursive next-hops associated with the destination address in the multipath group table. Additional methods and information handling system are also provided.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a network orchestration service running on a computer processor. The network orchestration service provides a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) listener module and a topology builder module. The BGP listener module is configured to receive information from a plurality of spine devices configured as an autonomous system and the topology builder module is configured to use the information received by the BGP listener module to create a topology of a data center that includes the plurality of spine devices. Additionally, the network orchestration service is in communication with a memory that is used to store information received by the BGP listener module and the topology of the data center. Applications of the information handling system for better operating the data center are also provided.

Abstract: A virtualized network function (VNF) provisioning system includes a plurality of computing device that are provided in a physical topology and that are coupled to a network. A management device is coupled to the computing device through the network. The management device receives VNF system information for a VNF system through the network. The VNF system includes a plurality of VNFs that are provided in a virtual topology. The management device then determines a plurality of physical groups from the physical topology that each identify at least one computing device. The management device then determines a plurality of virtual groups from the virtual topology based on a ratio of traffic that will leave each virtual group and a number of VNFs in each virtual group. The management device then provides the VNFs in a first virtual group on the at least one computing device in a first physical group.

Abstract: In a packet switch with databases (250, 404) used for packet forwarding, the database pieces are identified by version identifiers (410V) which are used by the packet switch's modules (LCx, RPM0, RPM1) in exchanging information on the databases and requesting updates to the databases. For example, if a primary management module fails and the management is transferred to a secondary management module, the secondary management module requests forwarding modules (e.g. line cards) to identify the database pieces stored on the forwarding modules, and to update the databases as needed. Use of version identifiers reduces the amount of data that has to be transferred in connection with such requests.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a customer edge device coupled to a provider edge device. The customer edge device provides a default virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) instance that receives a multicast stream from the provider edge device. The information handling system also includes a plurality of host devices and a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs). Each of the VLANs includes at least one of the host devices and is assigned to a subscribing VRF instance, with each of the subscribing VRF instances subscribing to the default VRF instance in order to receive a copy of the multicast stream from the provider edge device. The single copy of the multicast stream is transmitted over the PE-CE link regardless of the number of subscribing VRFs.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a plurality of core devices coupled to each other and to a plurality of distribution devices and a plurality of top-of-rack devices coupled to a plurality of servers and to the distribution devices. The plurality of servers are running hypervisors thereon that each manage a virtual switch and a plurality of virtual machines (VMs). The information handling system further includes a plurality of local network address resolution mediators, with each local network address resolution mediator running on one of the plurality of servers and receiving packets from VMs running thereon, and a global network address resolution mediator running on one of the plurality of core devices. The global network address resolution mediator is in communication with each of the plurality of local network address resolution mediators to collect and distribute packets from the plurality of VMs.

Abstract: A system for operating information handling systems forming a network including a plurality of switches is provided. The system includes an open flow controller coupled to each of the plurality of switches; a plurality of links, each link configured to transmit data packets between two switches from the plurality of switches; wherein: the open flow controller is configured to determine a traffic flow across each of the plurality of links; and each one of the plurality of switches is configured to re-route a data packet when the traffic flow in a link associated to the switch exceeds a threshold. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable and executable code for instructing a processor in a management unit for a plurality of information handling systems as above is also provided. A network managing device coupled to a service provider having resources is also provided.

Abstract: A virtualized network function (VNF) provisioning system includes a plurality of computing device that are provided in a physical topology and that are coupled to a network. A management device is coupled to the computing device through the network. The management device receives VNF system information for a VNF system through the network. The VNF system includes a plurality of VNFs that are provided in a virtual topology. The management device then determines a plurality of physical groups from the physical topology that each identify at least one computing device. The management device then determines a plurality of virtual groups from the virtual topology based on a ratio of traffic that will leave each virtual group and a number of VNFs in each virtual group. The management device then provides the VNFs in a first virtual group on the at least one computing device in a first physical group.

Abstract: A switch IHS stacking system includes a plurality of switch IHSs. A least one first switch IHS includes a first processing system and at least one second switch IHS includes a second processing system that is different from the first processing system. A stacking engine is located on each of the plurality of switch IHSs. Following the coupling of the plurality of switch IHSs into a stack and in response to the startup of the plurality of switch IHSs, the each of the stacking engines may exchange capability information with each of the plurality of switch IHSs and determine a control plane processing system affinity and a data plane processing system affinity for each of the plurality of switch IHSs. The stacking engines may then determine a master switch IHS for the stack that has the highest control plane processing system affinity and data plane processing system affinity.

Abstract: A system for operating information handling systems forming a network including a plurality of switches is provided. The system includes an open flow controller coupled to each of the plurality of switches; a plurality of links, each link configured to transmit data packets between two switches from the plurality of switches; wherein: the open flow controller is configured to determine a traffic flow across each of the plurality of links; and each one of the plurality of switches is configured to re-route a data packet when the traffic flow in a link associated to the switch exceeds a threshold. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable and executable code for instructing a processor in a management unit for a plurality of information handling systems as above is also provided. A network managing device coupled to a service provider having resources is also provided.

Abstract: A virtual extensible local area network (“VXLAN”) system includes servers having VXLAN tunnel end points (“VTEP”) and virtual machines (“VMs”), multiple routers to transmit network data using bidirectional groups (“BIDIRs”) and rendezvous points (“RPs”), and an associated management and provisioning entity (“MPE”) adapted to arrange BIDIRs dynamically based upon network traffic such that traffic is more evenly distributed across the VXLAN. Some of the routers can be preconfigured as potential RPs, and the MPE can activate and deactivate these routers to and from RP status as needed. The MPE creates and rearranges BIDIRs based upon volume thresholds of traffic being reached in BIDIRs, such as by splitting overloaded BIDIRs. Network traffic can be monitored by VTEPs and RPs.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth network device. The first network device is coupled to the second network device and to the third network device, while the fourth network device is also coupled to the second and third network devices. At least the fourth network device has a plurality of interfaces and one or more processors in communication with the interfaces and a memory. At least one of the one or more processors is configured to disassociate a network address of the first network device from a first VRF instance and associate the network address of the first network device with a second VRF instance when a network failure associated with the first VRF instance is detected. Methods for rerouting traffic through the information handling system in response to a network event are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for operating information handling systems forming a network including a plurality of switches is provided. The system includes an open flow controller coupled to each of the plurality of switches; a plurality of links, each link configured to transmit data packets between two switches from the plurality of switches; wherein: the open flow controller is configured to determine a traffic flow across each of the plurality of links; and each one of the plurality of switches is configured to re-route a data packet when the traffic flow in a link associated to the switch exceeds a threshold. A computer program product including a non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable and executable code for instructing a processor in a management unit for a plurality of information handling systems as above is also provided. A network managing device coupled to a service provider having resources is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of load-balancing in a network are provided herein. One such method includes steps of receiving network traffic at a network device, the network traffic having a destination address and of performing a look-up in a multipath group table using the destination address. The multipath group table includes entries for recursive next-hops, each recursive next hop being associated with a connected next hop in the multipath group table. The method also include a step of hashing the network traffic according to a number of recursive next-hops associated with the destination address in the multipath group table. Additional methods and information handling system are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of elephant flows includes a switching device. The switching device includes one or more ports, a memory, and a control unit coupled to the ports and the memory. The control unit is configured to detect storage locations information included in one or more first messages. The storage locations information identifies a storage node and is forwarded to a computing device. The control unit is further configured to detect opening of a connection between the computing device and the storage node based one or more second messages received for forwarding on one or more of the ports and determine identifying characteristics of an elephant flow based on information associated with the connection. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to forward network packets using an altered forwarding strategy when the network packets are associated with the elephant flow.

Abstract: A switch IHS stacking system includes a plurality of switch IHSs. A least one first switch IHS includes a first processing system and at least one second switch IHS includes a second processing system that is different from the first processing system. A stacking engine is located on each of the plurality of switch IHSs. Following the coupling of the plurality of switch IHSs into a stack and in response to the startup of the plurality of switch IHSs, the each of the stacking engines may exchange capability information with each of the plurality of switch IHSs and determine a control plane processing system affinity and a data plane processing system affinity for each of the plurality of switch IHSs. The stacking engines may then determine a master switch IHS for the stack that has the highest control plane processing system affinity and data plane processing system affinity.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include optimizing selection of a replication data node in a Hadoop Distributed File System. In embodiments of the present invention, optimizing the replication data node selection can be based on a priorities based algorithm. In embodiments of the present invention, optimizing replication data node selection can be based on a relative comparison of parameters.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a first network device that forms at least part of a first set of network devices. The first network device provides an interface between a local first server rack and a cloud and has one or more processors in communication with a memory. The first network device is configured to receive information from a second set of network devices that identifies a default gateway for a virtual machine running on a remote server rack. The first network device is also configured to create a local destination address entry associated with information, to store the entry in an address table in the memory, and to receive a packet having the information identifying the default gateway as a destination address. The first network device is further configured to forward the packet into the cloud on in proxy for the default gateway.

Abstract: Methods of load-balancing in a network are provided herein. One such method includes steps of receiving network traffic at a network device, the network traffic having a destination address and of performing a look-up in a multipath group table using the destination address. The multipath group table includes entries for recursive next-hops, each recursive next hop being associated with a connected next hop in the multipath group table. The method also include a step of hashing the network traffic according to a number of recursive next-hops associated with the destination address in the multipath group table. Additional methods and information handling system are also provided.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes a network orchestration service running on a computer processor. The network orchestration service provides a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) listener module and a topology builder module. The BGP listener module is configured to receive information from a plurality of spine devices configured as an autonomous system and the topology builder module is configured to use the information received by the BGP listener module to create a topology of a data center that includes the plurality of spine devices. Additionally, the network orchestration service is in communication with a memory that is used to store information received by the BGP listener module and the topology of the data center. Applications of the information handling system for better operating the data center are also provided.