Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive, from an access switch, a first signal including forwarding state information associated with a first peripheral processing device from a set of peripheral processing devices. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to receive, from the first peripheral processing device, a second signal including a data packet. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to send, to a replication engine associated with the set of peripheral processing devices, a third signal such that the replication engine (1) defines a copy of the data packet, which is included within the third signal, and (2) sends, to a second peripheral processing device from the set of peripheral processing devices, a fourth signal including the copy of the data packet.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive, from an access switch, a first signal including forwarding state information associated with a first peripheral processing device from a set of peripheral processing devices. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to receive, from the first peripheral processing device, a second signal including a data packet. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to send, to a replication engine associated with the set of peripheral processing devices, a third signal such that the replication engine (1) defines a copy of the data packet, which is included within the third signal, and (2) sends, to a second peripheral processing device from the set of peripheral processing devices, a fourth signal including the copy of the data packet.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive, from an access switch, a first signal including forwarding state information associated with a first peripheral processing device from a set of peripheral processing devices. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to receive, from the first peripheral processing device, a second signal including a data packet. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to send, to a replication engine associated with the set of peripheral processing devices, a third signal such that the replication engine (1) defines a copy of the data packet, which is included within the third signal, and (2) sends, to a second peripheral processing device from the set of peripheral processing devices, a fourth signal including the copy of the data packet.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a first network control entity, a second network control entity and a third network control entity. The first network control entity and the second network control entity are associated with a first network segment. The third network control entity is associated with a second network segment. The first network control entity is operable to send to the second network control entity an identifier of the first network segment and forwarding-state information associated with a data port at a first network element. The second network control entity is operable to receive the identifier of the first network segment and the forwarding-state information. The second network control entity is operable to send the forwarding-state information to a second network element. The first network control entity does not send the identifier of the first network segment and the forwarding-state information to the third network control entity.

Abstract: Dynamic subscriber interfaces in a network device are provided. An input port receives data units from multiple subscribers. A primary interface extracts source identifiers from headers associated with the received data units and creates dynamic subscriber interfaces to allocate network device resources to each of the multiple subscribers based on the extracted source identifiers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first network device configured to receive, from a second network device, a first forwarding-state packet associated with a peripheral processing device and having a first generation identifier. The first network device is configured to receive, from a third network device, a second forwarding-state packet associated with the peripheral processing device and having a second generation identifier. The first network device is configured to implement forwarding-state information included in the first forwarding-state packet based on a comparison of the first generation identifier and the second generation identifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first network control entity associated with at least a portion of multiple physical ports at a first access switch that are operatively coupled to a peripheral processing device and a switch fabric. The first network control entity can receive a host protocol request from the peripheral processing device, the first network control entity to transmit the host protocol request to a second network control entity associated with at least a portion of multiple physical ports at a second access switch, such that the host protocol request causes the second network control entity to obtain a response to the host protocol request. The first network control entity can receive the response to the host protocol request from the second network control entity and transmit the response to the host protocol request to the peripheral processing device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first network device configured to receive, from a second network device, a first forwarding-state packet associated with a peripheral processing device and having a first generation identifier. The first network device is configured to receive, from a third network device, a second forwarding-state packet associated with the peripheral processing device and having a second generation identifier. The first network device is configured to implement forwarding-state information included in the first forwarding-state packet based on a comparison of the first generation identifier and the second generation identifier.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system includes a first network control entity, a second network control entity and a third network control entity. The first network control entity and the second network control entity are associated with a first network segment. The third network control entity is associated with a second network segment. The first network control entity is operable to send to the second network control entity an identifier of the first network segment and forwarding-state information associated with a data port at a first network element. The second network control entity is operable to receive the identifier of the first network segment and the forwarding-state information. The second network control entity is operable to send the forwarding-state information to a second network element. The first network control entity does not send the identifier of the first network segment and the forwarding-state information to the third network control entity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions configured to cause a processor to receive, from an access switch, a first signal including forwarding state information associated with a first peripheral processing device from a set of peripheral processing devices. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to receive, from the first peripheral processing device, a second signal including a data packet. The code can further represent instructions configured to cause the processor to send, to a replication engine associated with the set of peripheral processing devices, a third signal such that the replication engine (1) defines a copy of the data packet, which is included within the third signal, and (2) sends, to a second peripheral processing device from the set of peripheral processing devices, a fourth signal including the copy of the data packet.

Abstract: Dynamic subscriber interfaces in a network device are provided. An input port receives data units from multiple subscribers. A primary interface extracts source identifiers from headers associated with the received data units and creates dynamic subscriber interfaces to allocate network device resources to each of the multiple subscribers based on the extracted source identifiers.