Abstract: A method, apparatus and system enable remote, responsive and dynamic management and configuration of various network elements on wired or wireless networks. In one embodiment, a host controller may obtain privileges to remotely configure network elements that include a configuration module. The host controller may additionally communicate with network elements on different networks via secure tunnels between the networks.

Abstract: A technique for programmatically controlling a state of the PHY of a network device. In one embodiment, a first network interconnect device (for example, a hub) comprises a device port coupled to a network device and comprises an uplink port coupled to a second network interconnect device (for example, a switch or a router). Transmission, under program control, of a predetermined signal from the second network interconnect device to the uplink port of the hub causes network devices that are coupled to device ports of the hub to connect/disconnect to/from the network. In one embodiment, the predetermined signal (which may be the heartbeat signal that is familiar to Ethernet networks, for example), causes the power state of the network device to go up and down (become active or inactive), thereby affording the capability to programmatically control the PHY of network devices.