Abstract: Techniques for authenticating and enforcing differentiated policies for a virtual machine (VM) executing in bridge mode on a host device are described. In an example method a fabric edge device determines a MAC address of the VM executing on the host device. The fabric edge device transmits an access request to create a session for the VM to an authentication server. The fabric edge device receives an indication that the VM is authenticated and a session for the VM has been created from the authentication server. The authentication server determines a policy to apply to packets communicated from the VM and assigns an IP address to the VM to create a MAC-IP binding for the VM. The fabric edge device applies the policy for the VM to packets with a source IP address corresponding to an IP address assigned to the VM.

Abstract: Techniques for authenticating and enforcing differentiated policies for a virtual machine (VM) executing in bridge mode on a wireless host device in a media access control (MAC)-based authentication network are described. In an example method a wireless host device is authorized to join a fabric enabled wireless network. A VM executes in bridge mode on the wireless host device. At the fabric edge, a source MAC address of the VM is determined. A session is created between the VM and an authentication server. The VM is authenticated. A policy for the VM is determined. A source internet protocol (IP) address is assigned to the VM to create a MAC-IP binding. A data-plane device in the fabric enabled wireless network is programmed to apply the policy to traffic communicated with the VM. Finally, the data-plane device applies the policy for the VM based at least in part on the MAC-IP binding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, network node-to-node connectivity verification is performed in a network including data path processing of packets within a packet switching device. In one embodiment, an echo request connectivity test packet, emulating an echo request connectivity test packet received from a first connected network node, is inserted by the packet switching device prior in its data processing path prior to ingress processing performed for packets received from the first connected network node. A correspondingly received echo reply connectivity test packet is intercepted by the packet switching device during data path egress processing performed for packets to be forwarded to the first connected network node.

Abstract: Techniques for authenticating and enforcing differentiated policies for a virtual machine (VM) executing in bridge mode on a wireless host device in a media access control (MAC)-based authentication network are described. In an example method a wireless host device is authorized to join a fabric enabled wireless network. A VM executes in bridge mode on the wireless host device. At the fabric edge, a source MAC address of the VM is determined. A session is created between the VM and an authentication server. The VM is authenticated. A policy for the VM is determined. A source internet protocol (IP) address is assigned to the VM to create a MAC-IP binding. A data-plane device in the fabric enabled wireless network is programmed to apply the policy to traffic communicated with the VM. Finally, the data-plane device applies the policy for the VM based at least in part on the MAC-IP binding.

Abstract: In one embodiment, network node-to-node connectivity verification is performed in a network including data path processing of packets within a packet switching device. In one embodiment, an echo request connectivity test packet, emulating an echo request connectivity test packet received from a first connected network node, is inserted by the packet switching device prior in its data processing path prior to ingress processing performed for packets received from the first connected network node. A correspondingly received echo reply connectivity test packet is intercepted by the packet switching device during data path egress processing performed for packets to be forwarded to the first connected network node.

Abstract: Methods and devices configure edge nodes of a virtual network overlay to continuously forward data plane traffic flows between client devices of a common subnet over the course of at least some of the edge nodes being EF-configured. TF-configured edge nodes and EF-configured edge nodes both play roles in unilaterally inducing address discovery by sending to client devices address discovery responses that were not prompted by address discovery requests. TF-configured edge nodes then handle ensuing address discovery requests by proxy, and subsequently handle certain traffic flows according to an EF-compatible forwarding mode, while EF-configured edge nodes continue to forward traffic flows by IP routing normally. This averts throughput of data plane traffic over the network overlay being reduced as a side effect of the heterogeneously configured edge nodes, and averts the possibility of client devices broadcasting address discovery protocol requests as a result of remote client devices being unreachable.

Abstract: A system and method for onboarding a virtual machine in a bridge host extension mode are provided. The method includes: creating a virtual machine on a host computing device, wherein the host computing device is associated with a first MAC address and a first IP address; assigning the virtual machine a second MAC address by the host computing device; receiving a first DHCP packet from the virtual machine by the host computing device, wherein the first DHCP packet comprises a first field that includes the second MAC address; replacing the second MAC address in the first field with the first MAC address by the host computing device; adding the second MAC address to a second field of the first DHCP packet by the host computing device; and providing the first DHCP packet to a DHCP server through a network by the host computing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, network node-to-node connectivity verification is performed in a network including data path processing of packets within a packet switching device. In one embodiment, an echo request connectivity test packet, emulating an echo request connectivity test packet received from a first connected network node, is inserted by the packet switching device prior in its data processing path prior to ingress processing performed for packets received from the first connected network node. A correspondingly received echo reply connectivity test packet is intercepted by the packet switching device during data path egress processing performed for packets to be forwarded to the first connected network node.

Abstract: A system and method for onboarding a virtual machine in a bridge host extension mode are provided. The method includes: creating a virtual machine on a host computing device, wherein the host computing device is associated with a first MAC address and a first IP address; assigning the virtual machine a second MAC address by the host computing device; receiving a first DHCP packet from the virtual machine by the host computing device, wherein the first DHCP packet comprises a first field that includes the second MAC address; replacing the second MAC address in the first field with the first MAC address by the host computing device; adding the second MAC address to a second field of the first DHCP packet by the host computing device; and providing the first DHCP packet to a DHCP server through a network by the host computing device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving traffic to send from a router to a host in the fabric edge network, wherein the fabric edge network comprises a plurality of switches and an inter-switch link (ISL); and sending the traffic from the router to the host via at least one of the switches based on the downlink connectivity of the host. Sending the traffic from the router to the host is performed without sending the traffic through the ISL. Sending the traffic from the router to the host comprises sending the traffic through the ISL when there is a link failure on a path between the router and the host.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving traffic to send from a router to a host in the fabric edge network, wherein the fabric edge network comprises a plurality of switches and an inter-switch link (ISL); and sending the traffic from the router to the host via at least one of the switches based on the downlink connectivity of the host. Sending the traffic from the router to the host is performed without sending the traffic through the ISL. Sending the traffic from the router to the host comprises sending the traffic through the ISL when there is a link failure on a path between the router and the host.