Abstract: In one embodiment, an autonomous carrier transports a fog computing module to an enclosure at a location determined to be in need of a particular fog computing resource, and aligns and anchors the fog computing module to the enclosure, where the aligning and anchoring is based on mating mechanical connectors on the fog computing module and enclosure. One or more electronic components of the fog computing module may then interface to the enclosure due to the anchoring, and the fog computing module activates at the location, accordingly. In one particular embodiment, the particular fog computing resource of the fog computing module is an additive resource to an existing fog computing resource module at the enclosure, and the existing fog computing resource module provides the mechanical connectors and interfaced electronic components of the enclosure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving flight path data regarding the presence of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at a location at a future time, detecting the presence of the UAV at the location at the future time, determining radio identity data of the UAV using a radio mode of identification, determining optical identity data of the UAV using an optical mode of identification, and certifying the UAV based on a comparison of the radio identity data and the optical identity data to the flight path data.

Abstract: Presented herein are service-function chaining techniques that enable data plane signaling of a packet as a candidate for capture at various network nodes along a service function path of a service function chain. That is, a capture signal is embedded within the respective packet that carries a user traffic. The signaling occurs in-band, via the data plane, such that classification of the packet for capture beneficially occurs, at the ingress node of the network, once to which subsequent network nodes along a service function path are signaled to capture or further inspect the packet for capture. Service function chaining treats service functions as resources with associated attributes available for scheduled consumption to which selective traffic are steered according to a policy construct to the requisite network-service resources.

Abstract: Presented herein are methods and systems that facilitate data plane signaling of a packet as a candidate for capture at various network nodes within an IPv6 network. The signaling occurs in-band, via the data plane—that is, a capture or interrogation signal is embedded within the respective packet (e.g., in the packet header) that carries a user traffic. The signaling is inserted, preferably when the packet is classified, e.g., at the ingress node of the network, to which subsequent network nodes with the IPv6 network are signaled to capture or further inspect the packet for capture.

Abstract: Presented herein are segment-routing methods and systems that facilitate data plane signaling of a packet as a candidate for capture at various network nodes within a segment routing (SR) network. The signaling occurs in-band, via the data plane—that is, a capture or interrogation signal is embedded within the respective packet that carries a user traffic. The signaling is inserted, preferably when the packet is classified, e.g., at the ingress node of the network, to which subsequent network nodes with the SR network are signaled to capture or further inspect the packet for capture.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network places a path of a service function chain into a testing state. The device causes a self-assessment instruction to be propagated along the path while the path is in the testing state. The device analyzes self-assessment results from nodes along the path. The device adjusts a state of the path based on the analyzed self-assessment results.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first device in a network receives information regarding one or more nodes in the network. The first device determines a property of the one or more nodes based on the received information. The first device determines a degree of trustworthiness of the one or more nodes based on the received information. The first device attests to the determined property and degree of trustworthiness of the one or more nodes to a verification device. The verification device is configured to verify the attested property and degree of trustworthiness.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A network device may connect to a smart-enabled network. Once connected, the network device may receive a network address for a network management server (NMS). Having the network address for the NMS, the network device may generate a vCard comprising the attributes necessary for registering with the NMS. The network device may then communicate the vCard to the NMS. The NMS may then be configured to identify, register, and add the network device to a directory.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating centralized issue tracking. The method includes receiving information on a case from an issue tracking system (case information). The method facilitates executing a tagging method stored in a memory device that reads the case information, determines whether a part of the case information is desired information, and then tags the desired information. Finally, the method facilitates communicating the tagged information to a centralized database, where the centralized database stores the tagged information, and where the tagged information is accessible to the issue tracking system and at least one other issue tracking system.

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: A network device may connect to a smart-enabled network. Once connected, the network device may receive a network address for a network management server (NMS). Having the network address for the NMS, the network device may generate a vCard comprising the attributes necessary for registering with the NMS. The network device may then communicate the vCard to the NMS. The NMS may then be configured to identify, register, and add the network device to a directory.

Abstract: A device for coupling to a heat source, the device includes thermoelectric elements and a coupling magnet. The thermoelectric elements harvest heat to generate electric current. The coupling magnet provides a coupling force between the thermoelectric elements and the heat source. The coupling magnet regulates thermal flow between the thermoelectric elements and the heat source as a function of temperature of the coupling magnet. The device acts to protect the thermoelectric elements and other associated components from heat damage that might otherwise occur if the heat source generates too much heat.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises: determining application processing capabilities in one or more network devices, in a data network, for execution of at least a portion of a prescribed application on identifiable data packets from a requesting network device and destined for a computing device; and sending instructions to the one or more network devices, the instructions enabling the one or more network devices to execute at least the portion of the prescribed application, on behalf of the computing device, in response to detecting receipt of the identifiable data packets.

Abstract: An energy management system for controlling energy to one or more loads powered by a thermoelectric module, the system is comprised of a monitoring system interfaced to receive sensor data from at least one sensor. A data processing device receives the sensor data. The data processing device acts upon the sensor data with an optimizing algorithm to produce energy management instructions. A control system receives the energy management instructions using them to control energy to all loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for facilitating centralized issue tracking. The method includes receiving information on a case from an issue tracking system (case information). The method facilitates executing a tagging method stored in a memory device that reads the case information, determines whether a part of the case information is desired information, and then tags the desired information. Finally, the method facilitates communicating the tagged information to a centralized database, where the centralized database stores the tagged information, and where the tagged information is accessible to the issue tracking system and at least one other issue tracking system.

Abstract: In one example, a method for facilitating centralized issue tracking. The method includes receiving information on a case from an issue tracking system (case information). The method facilitates executing a tagging method stored in a memory device that reads the case information, determines whether a part of the case information is desired information, and then tags the desired information. Finally, the method facilitates communicating the tagged information to a centralized database, where the centralized database stores the tagged information, and where the tagged information is accessible to the issue tracking system and at least one other issue tracking system.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein for establishing at a network management server a presence on a network. A presence associated with one or more managed devices on the network is detected. An instant messaging (IM) session is established with the one or more managed devices. The IM session forms a virtual chat room for performing a management function on the one or more managed devices, and IM messages are sent that are configured to perform the management function on the one or more managed devices. Techniques are also provided herein for establishing on a network an enriched presence by a network management server that is configured to perform a management function via a presence function of a messaging and presence protocol.