Abstract: Neighbor discovery is used to create a generic trust database for other applications. As part of the neighbor discovery, each device performs classification and validation of the credentials of the neighboring devices. The credentials and validation results are stored locally without having to perform a separate authentication step. The trust database is created and maintained as a neighbor table with the results of the validation. The generic trust database may then be consulted by other protocols. The neighbor discovery may use any of various underlying protocols, but the resulting table unifies the results such that other applications or protocols may take advantage of the secured identity without having to implement their own discovery process. Both discovery and validation may be implemented locally without relying on centralized servers. Manual configuration may be avoided.

Abstract: In one implementation, sub-interfaces are defined in Layer three (L3) tunnels, such as generic routing encapsulization (GRE) or Internet protocol security (IPsec) tunnels. Sub-interfaces inside a L3 tunnel may be preferred to using several L3 tunnels. The flow label of the tunnel header is used to define sub-interfaces of a tunnel interface. The flow label is populated with a routing instance identifier to index the sub-interfaces.

Abstract: To avoid user error and breaking operations, administration and management (OAM), the control plane for implementing OAM is automatically generated by network devices without user input. This control plane is hidden from the user, preventing any configuration that may bring down the connectivity for OAM.

Abstract: In one implementation, security configuration is automated based on information gathered using autonomic neighbor discovery. The neighbor discovery establishes a realm of trust between neighbors, such as determining that some neighbors may be trusted and others may not be trusted. A dynamic security barrier is created using the trust where devices on the network border protect the entire network. Differences in trust result in differential security configuration.

Abstract: In one implementation, security configuration is automated based on information gathered using autonomic neighbor discovery. The neighbor discovery establishes a realm of trust between neighbors, such as determining that some neighbors may be trusted and others may not be trusted. A dynamic security barrier is created using the trust where devices on the network border protect the entire network. Differences in trust result in differential security configuration.

Abstract: To avoid user error and breaking operations, administration and management (OAM), the control plane for implementing OAM is automatically generated by network devices without user input. This control plane is hidden from the user, preventing any configuration that may bring down the connectivity for OAM.

Abstract: In one implementation, sub-interfaces are defined in Layer three (L3) tunnels, such as generic routing encapsulization (GRE) or Internet protocol security (IPsec) tunnels. Sub-interfaces inside a L3 tunnel may be preferred to using several L3 tunnels. The flow label of the tunnel header is used to define sub-interfaces of a tunnel interface. The flow label is populated with a routing instance identifier to index the sub-interfaces.

Abstract: Neighbor discovery is used to create a generic trust database for other applications. As part of the neighbor discovery, each device performs classification and validation of the credentials of the neighboring devices. The credentials and validation results are stored locally without having to perform a separate authentication step. The trust database is created and maintained as a neighbor table with the results of the validation. The generic trust database may then be consulted by other protocols. The neighbor discovery may use any of various underlying protocols, but the resulting table unifies the results such that other applications or protocols may take advantage of the secured identity without having to implement their own discovery process. Both discovery and validation may be implemented locally without relying on centralized servers. Manual configuration may be avoided.