Abstract: A software-defined network (SDN) may include a controller that causes data an flow to be routed at least partially based on an application associated with the flow. The controller may identify an application associated with a flow and may determine desired transmission characteristics associated with the application. The controller may then dynamically identify an appropriate path for the flow data based on the desired transmission characteristics. The controller may further identify a quality of service value associated with a source or destination device associated with the flow data and may adjust the quality of service value based on the desired transmission characteristics associated with the application.

Abstract: A software-defined network (SDN) may include a controller that causes data an flow to be routed at least partially based on an application associated with the flow. The controller may identify an application associated with a flow and may determine desired transmission characteristics associated with the application. The controller may then dynamically identify an appropriate path for the flow data based on the desired transmission characteristics. The controller may further identify a quality of service value associated with a source or destination device associated with the flow data and may adjust the quality of service value based on the desired transmission characteristics associated with the application.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a request to establish a quality of service (QoS) policy that identifies a desired QoS associated with traffic being transported by a network; generating a QoS model based on the identified desired QoS, where the QoS model includes a class of service (CoS) and corresponding forwarding priorities associated with the traffic; retrieving a service level agreement (SLA), associated with a client device that is interconnected to a network node associated with the network, where the SLA includes a particular CoS and corresponding other forwarding priorities for packets associated with the client device; creating a QoS provisioning policy based on the QoS model and the SLA, where the creating includes mapping the CoS to the particular CoS or mapping the forwarding priorities to the other forwarding priorities; and transmitting, to the network node, the QoS provisioning policy that permits the network node to process the packets in a manner that complies with the QoS model or the SLA.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a request to establish a quality of service (QoS) policy that identifies a desired QoS associated with traffic being transported by a network; generating a QoS model based on the identified desired QoS, where the QoS model includes a class of service (CoS) and corresponding forwarding priorities associated with the traffic; retrieving a service level agreement (SLA), associated with a client device that is interconnected to a network node associated with the network, where the SLA includes a particular CoS and corresponding other forwarding priorities for packets associated with the client device; creating a QoS provisioning policy based on the QoS model and the SLA, where the creating includes mapping the CoS to the particular CoS or mapping the forwarding priorities to the other forwarding priorities; and transmitting, to the network node, the QoS provisioning policy that permits the network node to process the packets in a manner that complies with the QoS model or the SLA.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a request to establish a quality of service (QoS) policy that identifies a desired QoS associated with traffic being transported by a network; generating a QoS model based on the identified desired QoS, where the QoS model includes a class of service (CoS) and corresponding forwarding priorities associated with the traffic; retrieving a service level agreement (SLA), associated with a client device that is interconnected to a network node associated with the network, where the SLA includes a particular CoS and corresponding other forwarding priorities for packets associated with the client device; creating a QoS provisioning policy based on the QoS model and the SLA, where the creating includes mapping the CoS to the particular CoS or mapping the forwarding priorities to the other forwarding priorities; and transmitting, to the network node, the QoS provisioning policy that permits the network node to process the packets in a manner that complies with the QoS model or the SLA.

Abstract: A directory enabled network element, which in one embodiment, is a network device that has an element that enables querying, accessing, and updating directory information that is managed by a directory service of a network. An application programming interface (API) is configured to receive directory services requests from application programs (APs) and provide the directory services requests to the directory enabling element. A locator service is accessible using the API and configured to locate servers that provide the directory services. A bind service in the directory enabling element is coupled to a security protocol. An event service is configured to receive registration of an event and an associated action from an AP, notify the AP when the event occurs, and execute the associated responsive action. The network device can thereby automatically authenticate itself to a directory service.

Abstract: Client network devices and configuration servers are used together to automatically configure the client network devices. Configuration information for multiple network devices is arranged in a multi-level directory. Leaf nodes in a hierarchical directory correspond to specific network devices. Configuration information associated with such leaf nodes is specific to the associated network device. Configuration information common to a group of network devices is provided with nodes at higher levels in the hierarchy. All network devices grouped under such higher levels inherit the configuration parameters from the higher level nodes. During configuration, all nodes from a leaf to the root of a directory are traversed. The parameters associated with each node are aggregated to obtain a set of parameters provided to the client network device. These aggregated parameters are used to automatically configure the client network device.