Abstract: In one example embodiment, a server, using Border Gateway Protocol Link-State, obtains, from a particular network node of a plurality of network nodes in a network fabric configured for segment routing, network topology information of the plurality of network nodes including segment identifiers of the plurality of network nodes. The particular network node gathered the network topology information from other network nodes of the plurality of network nodes using an underlay routing protocol. Based on the network topology information, the server generates a visualization of a topology of the network fabric including the plurality of network nodes and a plurality of links connecting the plurality of network nodes.

Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed a network apparatus, comprising: one or more logic elements, including at least one hardware logic element, to provide a network manager engine to: provide a switched fabric management function; communicatively couple to at least one network switch, the network switch configured to provide optional native hardware-based load balancing; monitor one or more load balancing factors; and at least partly responsive to the one or more load balancing factors, configure native hardware-based load balancing on the at least one network switch.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a server, using Border Gateway Protocol Link-State, obtains, from a particular network node of a plurality of network nodes in a network fabric configured for segment routing, network topology information of the plurality of network nodes including segment identifiers of the plurality of network nodes. The particular network node gathered the network topology information from other network nodes of the plurality of network nodes using an underlay routing protocol. Based on the network topology information, the server generates a visualization of a topology of the network fabric including the plurality of network nodes and a plurality of links connecting the plurality of network nodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes discovering at a network controller, a topology and link capacities for a network, the network controller in communication with a plurality of spine nodes and leaf nodes, the link capacities comprising capacities for links between the spine nodes and the leaf nodes, identifying at the network controller, a flow received from a source at one of the leaf nodes, selecting at the network controller, one of the spine nodes to receive the flow from the leaf node based, at least in part, on the link capacities, and programming the network to transmit the flow from the spine node to one of the leaf nodes in communication with a receiver requesting the flow. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In an example, there is provided a network apparatus for providing native load balancing within a switch, including a first network interface operable to communicatively couple to a first network; a plurality of second network interfaces operable to communicatively couple to a second network, the second network comprising a service pool of service nodes; one or more logic elements providing a switching engine operable for providing network switching; and one or more logic elements comprising a load balancing engine operable for: load balancing incoming network traffic to the service pool via native hardware according to a load balancing configuration; detecting a new service node added to the service pool; and adjusting the load balancing configuration to account for the new service node; wherein the switching engine and load balancing engine are configured to be provided on the same hardware as each other and as the first network interface and plurality of second network interfaces.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes discovering at a network controller, a topology and link capacities for a network, the network controller in communication with a plurality of spine nodes and leaf nodes, the link capacities comprising capacities for links between the spine nodes and the leaf nodes, identifying at the network controller, a flow received from a source at one of the leaf nodes, selecting at the network controller, one of the spine nodes to receive the flow from the leaf node based, at least in part, on the link capacities, and programming the network to transmit the flow from the spine node to one of the leaf nodes in communication with a receiver requesting the flow. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided in which data is received that represents connectivity state between a plurality of nodes interconnected in a hierarchical manner in a network and including a first tier of nodes and a second tier of nodes, wherein the nodes in the second tier have at least one link to each node in the first tier. Display data is generated based on the connectivity state among the plurality of nodes, the display data describing a graphical user representation of the inter-tier link status of individual nodes or groupings of nodes. The display data is presented to a display device.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving from an orchestrator element for a new Virtual Routing and Forwarding element (“VRF”) created in a communications network a name of the VRF and interconnect identification; selecting a border element for the VRF; and creating in a database a VRF entry for the selected border element, the entry identifying a configuration profile for the selected border element. The method further includes forwarding a VRF create notification to the selected border element; and providing the configuration profile from the corresponding entry to the selected border element in response to a query to the database from the selected border element. The selected border element applies the configuration profile automatically to configure the selected border element.

Abstract: In an example, there is provided a network apparatus for providing native load balancing within a switch, including a first network interface operable to communicatively couple to a first network; a plurality of second network interfaces operable to communicatively couple to a second network, the second network comprising a service pool of service nodes; one or more logic elements providing a switching engine operable for providing network switching; and one or more logic elements comprising a load balancing engine operable for: load balancing incoming network traffic to the service pool via native hardware according to a load balancing configuration; detecting a new service node added to the service pool; and adjusting the load balancing configuration to account for the new service node; wherein the switching engine and load balancing engine are configured to be provided on the same hardware as each other and as the first network interface and plurality of second network interfaces.

Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed a network apparatus, comprising: one or more logic elements, including at least one hardware logic element, to provide a network manager engine to: provide a switched fabric management function; communicatively couple to at least one network switch, the network switch configured to provide optional native hardware-based load balancing; monitor one or more load balancing factors; and at least partly responsive to the one or more load balancing factors, configure native hardware-based load balancing on the at least one network switch.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving from an orchestrator element for a new Virtual Routing and Forwarding element (“VRF”) created in a communications network a name of the VRF and interconnect identification; selecting a border element for the VRF; and creating in a database a VRF entry for the selected border element, the entry identifying a configuration profile for the selected border element. The method further includes forwarding a VRF create notification to the selected border element; and providing the configuration profile from the corresponding entry to the selected border element in response to a query to the database from the selected border element. The selected border element applies the configuration profile automatically to configure the selected border element.