Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a first network slice selector that assigns data messages received from endpoint devices located within a first geographic range to multiple network slices. The method receives a data message from a mobile endpoint device located within the first geographic range. The data message belongs to a connection between the mobile endpoint device and a network domain that began when the mobile device was located in a second geographic range. The method retrieves state that maps the connection to a particular network slice of the network slices from a second network slice selector that assigns data messages received from endpoint devices within the second geographic range to the network slices. The method assigns the data message to the particular network slice.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a first network slice selector that assigns data messages to a first set of network slices that each comprises an ordered set of network services. The method receives a data message originating from an electronic endpoint device. A second network slice selector previously (i) assigned the data message to a first network slice of a second set of network slices and, (ii) based on the assignment of the data message to the first network slice, provided the data message to the first network slice selector. The method assigns the data message to a second network slice from the first et of network slices. The method provides the data message to a first network service of the selected second network slice.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a first network slice selector that selects network slices for connections from endpoint devices located within a first geographic range. The method selects a network slice for a connection between a mobile endpoint device and a network domain that originates when the mobile endpoint device is located within the first geographic range. The method stores state that maps the connection to the selected network slice. The method forwards data traffic belonging to the connection from the mobile endpoint device onto the selected network slice using the stored state. After the mobile endpoint device moves from the first geographic range to a second geographic range, the method receives data traffic belonging to the connection from a second network slice selector that selects network slices for connections from endpoint devices within the second geographic range and forwards said received data traffic onto the selected network slice.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a network slice selector. From an electronic device, the method receives a connection initiation message for a connection between the electronic device and a network domain. The method exchanges a set of connection initiation messages with the electronic device to set up the connection. The method receives a data message belonging to the connection from the electronic device. The method selects one of multiple network slices to which the electronic device has access as the network slice for the connection based on analysis of the received data message. The method forwards the data message and subsequent data messages belonging to the connection onto the selected network slice to be delivered to the network domain.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for establishing multiple virtual service networks over multiple datacenters. The method configures, for each virtual service network of the plurality of virtual service networks, a set of machines distributed across the datacenters to implement an ordered set of network services for the virtual service network. The method configures multiple service network selectors executing within the datacenters to receive a data message, select one of the virtual service networks for the data message based on analysis of contents of the data message, determine a location within the datacenters for a machine implementing a first network service of the ordered set of network services for the selected virtual service network, and transmit the data message to the machine implementing the first network service.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a network slice selector that forwards messages from endpoint electronic devices onto different network slices of multiple network slices. The method receives a set of connection initiation messages setting up a connection between an endpoint electronic device and a network domain. The method forwards the set of connection initiation messages from the endpoint electronic device onto a default network slice while storing data regarding the connection initiation messages. After the connection is setup, the method receives a data message belonging to the connection from the endpoint electronic device. The method selects one of the plurality of network slices to which the electronic device has access as the network slice for the connection based on analysis of the received data message. The method retransmits the set of connection initiation messages on the selected network slice between the network slice selector and a network gateway.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to configure switches of a virtual rack are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a hardware switch implementing a virtual switch on a virtual communication network, a packet analyzer to analyze a packet captured at the hardware switch, the packet analyzer to determine whether the packet is indicative of a packet flow issue corresponding to a negative effect on transfer of one or more packet flows on the virtual communication network, an issue handler to, in response to the determination by the packet analyzer, determine a modification to a configuration of the hardware switch based on a configuration of the virtual configuration network, and a hardware configuration agent to modify the configuration of the hardware switch based on the modification determined by the issue handler.

Abstract: Examples can include an optimizer that dynamically determines where to place virtual network functions for a slice in a distributed Telco cloud network. The optimizer can determine a slice path that complies with a service level agreement and balances network load. The virtual network functions of the slice can be provisioned at clouds identified by the optimal slice path. In one example, performance metrics are normalized, and tenant-selected weights can be applied. This can allow the optimizer to prioritize particular SLA attributes in choosing an optimal slice path.

Abstract: Examples can include an optimizer that dynamically determines where to place virtual network functions for a slice in a distributed Telco cloud network. The optimizer can determine a slice path that complies with a service level agreement and balances network load. The virtual network functions of the slice can be provisioned at clouds identified by the optimal slice path. In one example, performance metrics are normalized, and tenant-selected weights can be applied. This can allow the optimizer to prioritize particular SLA attributes in choosing an optimal slice path.

Abstract: A synchronizer is to synchronize a first MAC address from a first MAC address table of a first TOR switch to a second MAC address table of a second TOR switch, the first MAC address corresponding to a host, the first NIC to form a first active link between the first host and the first TOR switch, and store a first switch descriptor in association with the first MAC address in the second MAC address table, the first switch descriptor indicative of the first TOR switch. A packet transmitter is to, for a first packet to be delivered to the first host, send the first packet from the second TOR switch to the first TOR switch, without sending the first packet from the second TOR switch to the first host, based on the first switch descriptor stored in association with the first MAC address in the second MAC address table.

Abstract: A synchronizer is to synchronize a first MAC address from a first MAC address table of a first TOR switch to a second MAC address table of a second TOR switch, the first MAC address corresponding to a host, the first NIC to form a first active link between the first host and the first TOR switch, and store a first switch descriptor in association with the first MAC address in the second MAC address table, the first switch descriptor indicative of the first TOR switch. A packet transmitter is to, for a first packet to be delivered to the first host, send the first packet from the second TOR switch to the first TOR switch, without sending the first packet from the second TOR switch to the first host, based on the first switch descriptor stored in association with the first MAC address in the second MAC address table.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to perform network fabric migration in virtualized servers are disclosed and described. An example apparatus a layer detector to determine a first network fabric layer of a communication network by sending a first probe packet from a first network resource to a second network resource via a communication link and determine to migrate the first network fabric layer to a second network fabric layer based on whether the first network resource receives a reply probe packet from the second network resource in response to the first probe packet.

Abstract: A disclosed example of managing a network includes a packet receiver to receive a packet at a second switch from a first switch via an inter-switch link between the first and second switches; a packet analyzer to determine whether the packet includes a load-based teaming (LBT) egress control value; a packet transmitter to handle the packet according to an LBT policy when the packet analyzer determines the packet does not include the LBT egress control value; and a packet modifier to terminate the packet at the second switch when the packet analyzer determines the packet does include the LBT egress control value.

Abstract: A disclosed example of managing a network include receiving a packet at a first top-of-rack (ToR) switch via a first load-based teaming (LBT) port; determining whether a network location of a destination node of the packet is unknown; based on the network location being unknown, setting an LBT egress control value in the packet, the LBT egress control value to indicate that the packet is not to be transmitted via a second LBT port of a second ToR switch; and sending the packet from the first ToR switch to the second ToR switch via an inter-switch link between the first and second ToR switches and from the first ToR switch to at least a first host that is identified in the packet as the destination node.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to optimize or otherwise improve packet flow among virtualized servers are disclosed and described. An example apparatus includes a load balance list generator to identify abstracted network resources in a virtualized network based on a utilization status parameter of the abstracted network resources, generate a load balance list including the identified abstracted network resources, the load balance list including a number of the abstracted network resources satisfying a threshold, and generate a network routing configuration for data packets in the virtualized network based on the generated load balance list. The example apparatus further includes a policy adjustor to adjust a policy of a physical hardware resource corresponding to one of the one or more abstracted network resources based on the network routing configuration to distribute a packet flow among the abstracted network resources.

Abstract: An example to preserve packet order in a multi-fabric network includes: a migration detector to, after a first host sends a first packet of a first packet flow via a first active link between a first host and a first top-of-rack (TOR) switch, detect a migration of the first active link to a second active link between the first host and a second TOR switch, the first packet destined to a second host connected to the second TOR switch; and a migration notifier to, in response to the migration, send a migration notification message to cause configuration of the second TOR switch to send a second packet of the first packet flow to the first TOR switch via an inter-switch link between the first and second TOR switches, the second packet destined to the second host.

Abstract: A disclosed example apparatus to manage port allocations for network load balancing includes a telematics network information collector to collect bandwidth utilizations corresponding to physical links of network paths between a source and a destination, the network paths including at least one of a link aggregation group hop or an equal cost multi-path hop; a cost calculator to determine network path costs corresponding to unused protocol ports of a physical server host based on the bandwidth utilizations; a comparator to compare the network path costs; and a port allocator to, based on the comparison, allocate one of the unused protocol ports to an application.

Abstract: A disclosed example of managing a network include receiving a packet at a first top-of-rack (ToR) switch via a first load-based teaming (LBT) port; determining whether a network location of a destination node of the packet is unknown; based on the network location being unknown, setting an LBT egress control value in the packet, the LBT egress control value to indicate that the packet is not to be transmitted via a second LBT port of a second ToR switch; and sending the packet from the first ToR switch to the second ToR switch via an inter-switch link between the first and second ToR switches and from the first ToR switch to at least a first host that is identified in the packet as the destination node.

Abstract: A disclosed example of managing a network include receiving a packet at a first top-of-rack (ToR) switch via a first load-based teaming (LBT) port; determining whether a network location of a destination node of the packet is unknown; based on the network location being unknown, setting an LBT egress control value in the packet, the LBT egress control value to indicate that the packet is not to be transmitted via a second LBT port of a second ToR switch; and sending the packet from the first ToR switch to the second ToR switch via an inter-switch link between the first and second ToR switches and from the first ToR switch to at least a first host that is identified in the packet as the destination node.

Abstract: A disclosed example includes determining that first virtual machines (VMs) corresponding to a first percentage resource utilization indicative of resource usage of a first rack cause the first rack to generate a threshold amount of heat; determining, based on a second percentage resource utilization indicative of resource usage of a second rack, to migrate the first VMs to the second rack to reduce a temperature in a first room by at least the threshold amount of heat; migrating the first VMs from the first rack of the first room to the second rack of a second room; placing the first rack in a low-power state based on the migration of the first VMs to the second rack; and sending a temperature control signal to a climate control system to adjust a cooling process of the climate control system based on the first rack being in the low-power state.