Abstract: Automatic, adaptive stimulus generation includes receiving, at a network device that is associated with a network or system, analytics data that provides an indication of how the network or system is responding to a set of test stimuli introduced into the network or system to facilitate an analysis operation. The network device analyzes the analytics data based on an intended objective for the analysis operation and generates control settings based on the analyzing. The control settings control creation of a subsequent stimulus to be introduced into the network or system during subsequent execution of the analysis operation.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining performance characterization values from endpoints managed by a first fog node at a first hierarchical level in a hierarchy of fog nodes. The method includes changing a first operating characteristic of the wireless network based on the performance characterization values. The first operating characteristic affects the operation of one or more of the endpoints. The method includes transmitting a portion of the performance characterization values to a second fog node at a second hierarchical level in the hierarchy of fog nodes. The method includes changing a second operating characteristic of the wireless network based on an instruction from the second fog node. The second operating characteristic affects the operation of the first fog node and/or other fog nodes at the first hierarchical level. Changing one or more of the first operating characteristic and the second operating characteristic satisfies an operating threshold for the wireless network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a first resource of a plurality of resources connected by an energy network, data indicative of a current amount of energy stored by the first resource at a current time. The method includes determining, based on the data indicative of the current amount of energy stored by the first resource at the current time, a predicted amount of energy to be stored by the first resource at a later time. The method includes determining, based on the predicted amount of energy to be stored by the first resource at the later time, that the first resource is to receive energy. The method includes, in response to determining that the first resource is to receive energy, selecting a second resource of the plurality of resources to transmit energy to the first resource. The method includes sending, to the second resource, instructions to transmit energy to the first resource.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein enable improved allocation of fog node resources, which supports performance driven partitioning of competing client applications. In various implementations, methods are performed by a fog orchestrator configured to determine allocations of fog resources for competing client applications and partition the competing client applications based on the fog resource allocations. Methods include receiving reservation priority values (RPVs) associated with a plurality of client applications competing for a contested fog node resource, transmitting, to a subset of client devices, a request to provide updated RPVs, and awarding the contested fog node resource to one of the plurality of client applications based on the received RPVs and any updated RPVs.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving power delivered over a data fiber cable at an optical transceiver installed at a network communications device and transmitting data and the power from the optical transceiver to the network communications device. The network communications device is powered by the power received from the optical transceiver. An apparatus is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein enable transforming mutable wireless coverage areas using network coverage vehicles (NVCs) that are orchestrated by a network coverage controller. In various implementations, the method includes receiving coverage area performance characterization values from NCVs configured to provide a plurality of mutable wireless coverage areas. In various implementations, an arrangement of the mutable wireless coverage areas mutably defines the service area, which changes in accordance with changes to the arrangement of the mutable wireless coverage areas. In various implementations, the method also includes determining NCV operation adjustments for some of the NCVs based on the received coverage area performance characterization values in accordance with a service performance metric; and, altering an arrangement of one or more of the plurality of mutable wireless coverage areas within the service area by providing the NCV operation adjustments to some of the NCVs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a router (and method) for virtualizing a control plane of the router without redundancy. The router can include a processor, a data plane, a control plane, and a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to request, a cloud service to instantiate a virtual instance of the control plane, receive a confirmation of instantiation of the virtual instance, transfer to the virtual instance of the control plane, an active state of the control plane, perform offline services (e.g., configuration change, operating system update, or firmware upgrade, etc.) and in response to completion of the offline services, receive the active state.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an intermediate node, of a multi-stage process path through a computer network, receives a workload message with an associated latency budget to complete the multi-stage process at a final stage device. In response, the intermediate node determines a current latency from an initial stage device for the workload message to the receiving of the workload message, and also determines a remaining portion of the latency budget based on the current latency. In response to the remaining portion of the latency budget being less than expected at the intermediate node, the intermediate node may perform one or more latency-reducing actions, and then transmits the workload message toward the final stage device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network intercepts a Domain Name System (DNS) query sent by a node in the network to a DNS service. The device inserts metadata information about the node into the DNS query before sending the DNS query on to the DNS service. The device extracts policy information regarding the node from a DNS response sent from the DNS service back to the node in response to the DNS query. The device implements a network policy for the node within the network based on the policy information extracted from the DNS response.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein to operate a light fixture as in an emergency mode in order to verify that the light emitted by the light fixture when operated in the emergency mode complies with emergency operating policies, as well as to detect failures. The light emitted by the light fixture in emergency mode may be measured and adjusted to optimize the runtime of the light fixture in the emergency mode. The light fixture is connected to a lighting control system via a control network which supplies electrical power to charge an onboard battery of a light fixture and to operate the light fixture. The light fixture may be caused to operate in the emergency lighting mode when a main electrical power supply is interrupted or when performances of the light fixture and of the onboard battery are tested.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device receives data regarding a plurality of heterogeneous computing environments. The received data comprises measured application metrics for applications executed in the computing environments and indications of processing capabilities of the computing environments. The device generates a training dataset by applying a machine learning-based classifier to the received data regarding the plurality of existing heterogeneous environments. The device trains a machine learning-based configuration engine using the training dataset. The device uses the configuration engine to generate configuration parameters for a particular heterogeneous computing environment based on one or more system requirements of the particular heterogeneous computing environment. The device provides the configuration parameters to the particular heterogeneous computing environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting, by an access network computing node, a network service provided by a service provider for one or more identified endpoint devices via a wide area network connection, the access network computing node within an access network providing connections for the one or more identified endpoint devices to access the network service via the wide area network connection; detecting an unavailability of the network service via the wide area network connection; and supplying, by the access network computing node, at least a substitute of the network service for the one or more identified endpoint devices in response to the detected unavailability of the network service via the wide area network connection.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a perch for screening drones before permitting access to a restricted geographic region. The perch may include various scanners for evaluating the payload of the drone, its hardware, and flight control software. In one embodiment, the screening perch includes a conveyor belt that moves the drone through various scanners or stages in the perch. In one embodiment, the perch ensures the drone is properly configured to enter the restricted geographic region. The region may include multiple requirements or criteria that must be satisfied before a drone is permitted to enter. For example, the drone may need a signed flight plan, cargo that is less than a certain percentage of its weight, or an approved flight controller before being permitted into the restricted region. In this manner, the perch serves as a controlled entrance point for drones attempting to enter the restricted region.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server determines a particular computer network outside of a lab environment to recreate, and also determines, for the particular computer network, hardware components and their interconnectivity, as well as installed software components and their configuration. The server then controls interconnection of lab hardware components within the lab environment according to the interconnectivity of the hardware components of the particular computer network. The server also installs and configures lab software components on the lab hardware components according to the configuration of the particular computer network. Accordingly, the server operates the installed lab software components on the interconnected lab hardware components within the lab environment to recreate operation of the particular computer network within the lab environment, and provides information about the recreated operation of the particular computer network.

Abstract: A mobile network device moves along a track rail structure of a ceiling-mounted track enclosure. The ceiling-mounted track enclosure further comprises a beam transmission cavity for accommodating a collimated light beam having a prescribed cross-sectional area and having been transmitted into the beam transmission cavity by a free space optical transmitter, without obstruction of the collimated light beam by the mobile network device along the track rail structure. The mobile network device receives, at a selected detection area within the cross-sectional area, a modulated light signal transmitted within the collimated light beam. The selected detection area is substantially smaller than the prescribed cross-sectional area and allocated exclusively to the mobile network device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a controller instructs an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) docked to a landing perch to perform a pre-flight test operation of a pre-flight test routine. The controller receives sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation from one or more force sensors of the landing perch, in response to the UAV performing the pre-flight test operation. The controller determines whether the sensor data associated with the pre-flight test operation is within an acceptable range. The controller causes the UAV to launch from the landing perch based in part on a determination that UAV has passed the pre-flight test routine.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein to operate a light fixture as in an emergency mode in order to verify that the light emitted by the light fixture when operated in the emergency mode complies with emergency operating policies, as well as to detect failures. The light emitted by the light fixture in emergency mode may be measured and adjusted to optimize the runtime of the light fixture in the emergency mode. The light fixture is connected to a lighting control system via a control network which supplies electrical power to charge an onboard battery of a light fixture and to operate the light fixture. The light fixture may be caused to operate in the emergency lighting mode when a main electrical power supply is interrupted or when performances of the light fixture and of the onboard battery are tested.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting, by an access network computing node, a network service provided by a service provider for one or more identified endpoint devices via a wide area network connection, the access network computing node within an access network providing connections for the one or more identified endpoint devices to access the network service via the wide area network connection; detecting an unavailability of the network service via the wide area network connection; and supplying, by the access network computing node, at least a substitute of the network service for the one or more identified endpoint devices in response to the detected unavailability of the network service via the wide area network connection.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a ceiling tile, configured to be positioned above a given area, comprises a plurality of sensors and a plurality actuators embedded within the ceiling tile, each sensor configured to sense a corresponding feature of the area, and each actuator configured to modify a corresponding feature of the area. The plurality of sensors and plurality of actuators are configured to interact with a controlling device that controls a plurality of ceiling tiles for the area. In another embodiment, one or more floor tiles with one or more sensors (e.g., and actuators) may also be located within the area, and the controlling device further controls the floor tiles, accordingly.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a supervisory device in a network maintains a plurality of node profiles for nodes in the network. The supervisory device receives, from a fog computing device in the network, node data associated with a particular node in the network. The supervisory device determines a node profile for the particular node based on the received node data and the maintained plurality of node profiles. The supervisory device causes installation of a fog computing application to the fog computing device based on the determined node profile for the particular node. The fog computing application is configured to process the node data associated with the particular node.