Abstract: A system and method for handling context aware network includes a managing server including a control unit, a memory coupled to the control unit, one or more virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) tables stored in the memory, and one or more ports coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the managing server to a network. The managing server is configured to store VRF information in the one or more VRF tables, receive a request packet including a context from a first edge switch, determine the context included in the request packet, examine the one or more VRF tables to identify a VRF-ID associated with the context, and forward a VRF configuration flow control message to the first edge switch. The managing server is further configured to forward one or more additional VRF configuration flow control messages to one or more second edge switches.

Abstract: A networked system includes a plurality of information handling systems (IHSs). A networking device couples the plurality of IHSs to a network. The networking device is operable to receive a packet associated with a first network application from a first IHS of the plurality of IHSs. The networking device then determines that a first virtual port is associated with the first network application in a database. The networking device then assign packets received from the first IHS and associated with the first network application to the first virtual port. The networking device then forwards packets received from the first IHS and associated with the first network application over the network using the first virtual port. The first virtual port provides access to a virtual network that is provided for the first network application and configured using network information associated with the first network application.

Abstract: An access controller is coupled to a plurality of physical access points. The access controller is operable to create a plurality of virtual access controllers that are each coupled to the plurality of physical access points. The access controller then creates a different virtual access point for each of the plurality of virtual access controllers, and associates the virtual access point of each virtual access controller with each of the plurality of physical access points coupled to that virtual access controller. The access controller then provides a plurality of different wireless sub-networks through each of the plurality of physical access points, with each virtual access controller providing one of the different wireless sub-networks using the virtual access point associated with each of the plurality of physical access points coupled to that virtual access controller.

Abstract: A power allocation system includes a manager provided on a network controller. An agent is provided on a line module coupled to the network controller. The agent is operable to detect a connection of a powered device to a port on the line module and communicate that to the manager. The manager then classifies the powered device and provides a first power to the powered device through the port from a global power budget according to the classification. At least one of the manager and agent then monitor the power consumption of the powered device subsequent to providing the first power, and a second power is provided to the powered device through the port from the global power budget according to the monitoring, wherein the second power is different from the first power.

Abstract: A flow-based network switching system includes a memory having a flow table and a packet processor coupled to the memory. The packet processor includes a user-programmable flow-based rule storage that includes a plurality of flow-based rules. A flow-based handler and session manager in the packet processor is operable to retrieve application layer metadata from a first packet received over a network, determine a first flow session associated with the first packet using the application layer metadata from the first packet and the flow table, and retrieve at least one of the plurality of flow-based rules from the programmable flow-based rule storage using the application layer metadata from the first packet. A flow-based rule processing engine in the packet processor is operable to apply the at least one flow-based rule to the first packet. Packets with applied flow-based rules are forwarded through the network.

Abstract: An access controller is coupled to a plurality of physical access points. The access controller is operable to create a plurality of virtual access controllers that are each coupled to the plurality of physical access points. The access controller then creates a different virtual access point for each of the plurality of virtual access controllers, and associates the virtual access point of each virtual access controller with each of the plurality of physical access points coupled to that virtual access controller. The access controller then provides a plurality of different wireless sub-networks through each of the plurality of physical access points, with each virtual access controller providing one of the different wireless sub-networks using the virtual access point associated with each of the plurality of physical access points coupled to that virtual access controller.

Abstract: A system and method for handling context aware network includes a managing server including a control unit, a memory coupled to the control unit, one or more virtual routing and forwarding (VRF) tables stored in the memory, and one or more ports coupled to the control unit and configured to couple the managing server to a network. The managing server is configured to store VRF information in the one or more VRF tables, receive a request packet including a context from a first edge switch, determine the context included in the request packet, examine the one or more VRF tables to identify a VRF-ID associated with the context, and forward a VRF configuration flow control message to the first edge switch. The managing server is further configured to forward one or more additional VRF configuration flow control messages to one or more second edge switches.

Abstract: A system management information handling system (IHS) includes a processing system. A memory system is coupled to the processing system and includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to perform a method. The method includes discovering a plurality of components in a networked system and a current firmware image included on each of the plurality of components. The method further includes determining a plurality of relationships between the plurality of components. The method further includes retrieving a firmware compatibility table that includes compatible firmware details for at least one component combination. The method further includes providing an updated firmware image for each of at least a subset of the plurality of components based on the relationships between the subset of the plurality of components and compatible firmware details for the plurality of components.

Abstract: A power allocation system includes a manager provided on a network controller. An agent is provided on a line module coupled to the network controller. The agent is operable to detect a connection of a powered device to a port on the line module and communicate that to the manager. The manager then classifies the powered device and provides a first power to the powered device through the port from a global power budget according to the classification. At least one of the manager and agent then monitor the power consumption of the powered device subsequent to providing the first power, and a second power is provided to the powered device through the port from the global power budget according to the monitoring, wherein the second power is different from the first power.

Abstract: A network switching device includes a macroflow sub-plane that performs packet-based routing, a microflow routing module that performs flow-based routing, and a software defined network (SDN) agent. The microflow routing module includes a packet processing module and a virtual port, and is operable to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process a flow, direct the flow to the packet processing module via the virtual port in response to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process the flow, process the flow using the packet processing module, and direct the flow to a destination associated with the flow. The SDN agent sends a port status message to a SDN controller indicating that the microflow routing module includes the virtual port and that the virtual port is associated with the packet processing module.

Abstract: A flow-based network switching system includes a memory having a flow table and a packet processor coupled to the memory. The packet processor includes a user-programmable flow-based rule storage that includes a plurality of flow-based rules. A flow-based handler and session manager in the packet processor is operable to retrieve application layer metadata from a first packet received over a network, determine a first flow session associated with the first packet using the application layer metadata from the first packet and the flow table, and retrieve at least one of the plurality of flow-based rules from the programmable flow-based rule storage using the application layer metadata from the first packet. A flow-based rule processing engine in the packet processor is operable to apply the at least one flow-based rule to the first packet. Packets with applied flow-based rules are forwarded through the network.

Abstract: An information handling system is provided herein. The information handling system includes a controlling bridge having a plurality of bridge ports and at least one port extender coupled to one of the bridge ports of the controlling bridge to form an extended bridge. The port extender has a plurality of extension ports. The information handling system further includes an access point coupled to the port extender such that a wireless association between the access point and one or more stations appears as a logical bridge port to the controlling bridge and to an access controller system. The access point has a wireless transceiver to communication with the one or more stations. Associated methods are provided herein for providing wireless network access to a local area network.

Abstract: An electrical equipment chassis includes a frame open to a first side and an opposite second side and a power board located near a mid-plane of the chassis coupling power supply modules to first networking modules and a second networking module. A first region open to the first side can receive first power supply modules. A second region open to the first side is adjacent to the first region and can receive the first networking modules and the second networking module oriented with a first orientation. A third region open to the second side can receive fan trays with fans and third networking modules. The third networking modules are oriented orthogonal to the first orientation. The power board at least partially separates the first and third regions and only partially separates the second and third regions. The chassis permits air flow from the first side to the second side.

Abstract: A network switching device includes a macroflow sub-plane that performs packet-based routing, a microflow routing module that performs flow-based routing, and a software defined network (SDN) agent. The microflow routing module includes a packet processing module and a virtual port, and is operable to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process a flow, direct the flow to the packet processing module via the virtual port in response to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process the flow, process the flow using the packet processing module, and direct the flow to a destination associated with the flow. The SDN agent sends a port status message to a SDN controller indicating that the microflow routing module includes the virtual port and that the virtual port is associated with the packet processing module.

Abstract: A flow-based network switching system includes a memory having a flow table and a packet processor coupled to the memory. The packet processor includes a user-programmable flow-based rule storage that includes a plurality of flow-based rules. A flow-based handler and session manager in the packet processor is operable to retrieve application layer metadata from a first packet received over a network, determine a first flow session associated with the first packet using the application layer metadata from the first packet and the flow table, and retrieve at least one of the plurality of flow-based rules from the programmable flow-based rule storage using the application layer metadata from the first packet. A flow-based rule processing engine in the packet processor is operable to apply the at least one flow-based rule to the first packet. Packets with applied flow-based rules are forwarded through the network.

Abstract: An electrical equipment chassis includes a frame open to a first side and an opposite second side and a power board located near a mid-plane of the chassis coupling power supply modules to first networking modules and a second networking module. A first region open to the first side can receive first power supply modules. A second region open to the first side is adjacent to the first region and can receive the first networking modules and the second networking module oriented with a first orientation. A third region open to the second side can receive fan trays with fans and third networking modules. The third networking modules are oriented orthogonal to the first orientation. The power board at least partially separates the first and third regions and only partially separates the second and third regions. The chassis permits air flow from the first side to the second side.

Abstract: A system management information handling system (IHS) includes a processing system. A memory system is coupled to the processing system and includes instructions that, when executed by the processing system, cause the processing system to perform a method. The method includes discovering a plurality of components in a networked system and a current firmware image included on each of the plurality of components. The method further includes determining a plurality of relationships between the plurality of components. The method further includes retrieving a firmware compatibility table that includes compatible firmware details for at least one component combination. The method further includes providing an updated firmware image for each of at least a subset of the plurality of components based on the relationships between the subset of the plurality of components and compatible firmware details for the plurality of components.

Abstract: A network switching device includes a macroflow sub-plane that performs packet-based routing in the network switching device and a microflow routing sub-plane that performs flow-based routing in the network switching device. The microflow routing sub-plane receives a first data packet, determines that the first data packet is associated with a first flow page, wherein the first flow page comprises a plurality of flow entries, determines that the first flow page is not resident in a routing table of the microflow routing sub-plane, and requests the first flow page from a software defined network (SDN) controller.

Abstract: A networked system includes a first information handling system (IHS) including a plurality of first IHS components and a second IHS coupled to the first IHS. A system management IHS is coupled to the first IHS and operable to discover the first IHS and the second IHS. The system management IHS then determines a plurality of relationships between the first IHS components and the second IHS and stores the plurality of relationships. The system management IHS then determines that the second IHS requires configuration. The system management IHS then determines that the at least some of the first IHS components have a relationship with the second IHS using the plurality of relationships. The system management IHS then sends an instruction to configure the at least some of the first IHS components having the relationships with the second IHS according to the configuration required for the second IHS.

Abstract: A flow-based network switching system includes a memory having a flow table and a packet processor coupled to the memory. The packet processor includes a user-programmable flow-based rule storage that includes a plurality of flow-based rules. A flow-based handler and session manager in the packet processor is operable to retrieve application layer metadata from a first packet received over a network, determine a first flow session associated with the first packet using the application layer metadata from the first packet and the flow table, and retrieve at least one of the plurality of flow-based rules from the programmable flow-based rule storage using the application layer metadata from the first packet. A flow-based rule processing engine in the packet processor is operable to apply the at least one flow-based rule to the first packet. Packets with applied flow-based rules are forwarded through the network.