Abstract: A method for automatically detecting and identifying wireless access points (WAPs) utilizing a wireless electronic device associated with a user is presented. The method includes detecting, by one or more sensors of the wireless electronic device, a first object of a plurality of objects within an environment. The plurality of objects includes a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs). The method further includes determining a set of coordinate values associated with the first object based on an alignment of a coordinate system of the wireless electronic device and a predetermined coordinate system of the environment, estimating a depth value associated with the first object based at least in part on the set of coordinate values, and assigning a unique identifier to the first object based on the depth value and the set of coordinate values.

Abstract: Devices, systems, methods, and processes for managing network devices through generated predictions and associated confidence levels are described herein. Networks within a floorplan can be operated at full capacity all day in an inefficient way when not adjusted due to traffic patterns and seasonality changes. Data related to the topology of the network, along with historical data can be utilized to generate predictions of various network needs. For example, the overall network throughput capacity needs may be predicted for a series of points in the future. An associated confidence level can be generated as well including one or more confidence intervals. These can be utilized to select a future need for the network and generate a corresponding sustainable network configuration for the network devices and/or their transceivers that can provide sufficient network needs while minimizing the overall power used. This can be automated over time once trust has been established.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for calculating a network sustainability index (NSI) and providing specific remediation/action plans to achieve better sustainability in network infrastructures. The NSI is calculated based on one or more of three main parameters: a reporting parameter, an optimization parameter, and/or a device energy efficiency rating. The reporting parameter may evaluate the capability of each device to report its power consumption, considering factors such as granularity, component-level reporting, and reporting frequency. The optimization parameter may assess whether a device participates in network energy optimization. The device energy efficiency rating may evaluate the energy efficiency of each device. A recommendation portal offers actionable insights and remediation plans based on the calculated NSI.

Abstract: A method includes determining a 2D DEM for a physical environment, determining a viewshed for an access point in the physical environment using the DEM, and identifying, at the end terminal, at least one obstacle that is visible from the access point. For each point in space within the physical environment that is on a same side of the at least one obstacle as the access point: a respective first RSSI is determined, the respective first RSSI being associated with a direct LOS ray from the access point to a point in the space. A respective second RSSI for each of the at least one obstacle is determined to yield at least one second RSSI. A respective RF power based on the respective first RSSI and the at least one second RSSI is also determined, the respective RF power being used for generating a 3D heatmap for the physical environment.

Abstract: Wireless planning for reduced power consumption may be provided. Characteristics of a space may be received, wherein the characteristics include a representation of the space. A model of the space may be generated using the representation of the space. Next, a coverage requirement and a power saving requirement may be determined for the space. An initial wireless plan may be generated including one or more APs positioned in the model of the space. The initial wireless plan may be adjusted based on the coverage requirement and the power saving requirement to generate a final wireless plan.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for calculating a network sustainability index (NSI) and providing specific remediation/action plans to achieve better sustainability in network infrastructures. The NSI is calculated based on one or more of three main parameters: a reporting parameter, an optimization parameter, and/or a device energy efficiency rating. The reporting parameter may evaluate the capability of each device to report its power consumption, considering factors such as granularity, component-level reporting, and reporting frequency. The optimization parameter may assess whether a device participates in network energy optimization. The device energy efficiency rating may evaluate the energy efficiency of each device. A recommendation portal offers actionable insights and remediation plans based on the calculated NSI.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes determining a bandwidth level associated with a link, which is provided between a first microwave transceiver and a second microwave transceiver. The link is part of a communication ring containing multiple Ethernet ring protection elements. The method also includes comparing the bandwidth level associated with the link to a threshold level. A fail-over can be triggered for a selected one of the plurality of Ethernet ring protection elements if the bandwidth is below the threshold level. In certain example embodiments, the first microwave transceiver and the second microwave transceiver can implement an adaptive modulation protocol on the link.

Abstract: In one embodiment, backbone service instance identifiers (I-SIDs) of backbone frames are modified based on flow identification of frames encapsulated therein to induce entropy into the headers of the backbone frames. Backbone packet switching devices use the modified service instance identifier to load balance the corresponding frame through the backbone network. At an exit point of the backbone network, the original backbone service instance identifier (I-SID) associated with a frame encapsulated in a backbone frame is recovered from the modified service instance identifier, with this recovery typically including determining the flow identification of the frame encapsulated in the backbone frame.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of signaling status at a routing device is provided. In this method, the routing device establishes an inter-chassis control plane channel session with a remote routing device. Here, the routing device and the remote routing device are linked to a multi-homed routing device. The routing device then synchronizes with the remote routing device by way of the inter-chassis control plane channel session to identify a state of a link from the routing device to the multi-homed routing device. The state of the link is thereafter advertised by way of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Additionally, a method of discovering inter-chassis communication peers via BGP between the first and remote routing devices is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a provider edge (PE) device, a transport layer status message indicative of a defect on a pseudowire (PW) running across a core of a service provider (SP) network. The status message is translated to a service layer message indicative of the defect. The service layer message is then transmitted across an access domain of the SP network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, single-homing and active-active multi-homing is provided in a Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS). A customer edge node actively communicates frames of a same Virtual Private Network (VPN) instance with two or more VPLS nodes of a VPLS network. The VPLS nodes are configured to appropriately forward frames throughout the VPLS network: without looping of a frame sent by the same external node back to the same external node, without flooding multiple copies of a frame to the same external node, and while performing learning of addresses in forwarding tables of said VPLS nodes such that said forwarding tables of said VPLS nodes converge despite frames of the same LAN service being received by said at least two of said VPLS nodes from the same external node.

Abstract: Techniques are described which provide mechanisms for dual-homing an access ring for virtual private wire service (VPWS) Ethernet line (E-Line) services. The mechanism may provide resiliency against access ring failures and offer a restoration time of 50 msec upon failure. A method to provide such resiliency may generally include determining, at a first ring port of an access node, a ring failure in an Ethernet ring. Upon determining the first ring port of the access node is not situated on a same side of the Ethernet ring as a node designated as a ring protection link (RPL) owner, a message is transmitted on a second ring port of the access node towards a provider edge (PE) node. The message is used to activate pseudowires (PWs) at the PE node for virtual local area networks (VLANs) of the access node.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a method of route convergence is provided. In this method, a loss of connectivity is detected along a communication route by way of an Ethernet Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) protocol. Examples of Ethernet OAM protocols include Connectivity Fault Management protocol and Ethernet Local Management Interface protocol. Thereafter, a data link layer identifier associated with the communication route is identified and this data link layer identifier is mapped to a network layer address. Convergence on an alternate communication route can then be based on the mapped network layer address.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of signaling status at a routing device is provided. In this method, the routing device establishes an inter-chassis control plane channel session with a remote routing device. Here, the routing device and the remote routing device are linked to a multi-homed routing device. The routing device then synchronizes with the remote routing device by way of the inter-chassis control plane channel session to identify a state of a link from the routing device to the multi-homed routing device. The state of the link is thereafter advertised by way of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Additionally, a method of discovering inter-chassis communication peers via BGP between the first and remote routing devices is provided.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of signaling status at a routing device is provided. In this method, the routing device establishes an inter-chassis control plane channel session with a remote routing device. Here, the routing device and the remote routing device are linked to a multi-homed routing device. The routing device then synchronizes with the remote routing device by way of the inter-chassis control plane channel session to identify a state of a link from the routing device to the multi-homed routing device. The state of the link is thereafter advertised by way of Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Additionally, a method of discovering inter-chassis communication peers via BGP between the first and remote routing devices is provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, backbone service instance identifiers (I-SIDs) of backbone frames are modified based on flow identification of frames encapsulated therein to induce entropy into the headers of the backbone frames. Backbone packet switching devices use the modified service instance identifier to load balance the corresponding frame through the backbone network. At an exit point of the backbone network, the original backbone service instance identifier (I-SID) associated with a frame encapsulated in a backbone frame is recovered from the modified service instance identifier, with this recovery typically including determining the flow identification of the frame encapsulated in the backbone frame.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a test port in a network environment, positioning the test port on a network element, associating the test port with a bridge domain, and configuring a maintenance point (MP) on the test port. The method further includes using the MP on the test port for connectivity fault management (CFM) operations at a test level.

Abstract: Connectivity Fault Management (CFM) auto-provisioning using Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) auto-discovery is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises VPLS logic and configuration logic. The VPLS logic is operable at least to receive and send configuration information for a VPLS instance, where the configuration information comprises: a first value that uniquely identifies the VPLS instance; and a plurality of second values that respectively and uniquely identify a plurality of network elements that are operable to provide the VPLS instance. The configuration logic is operable at least to automatically configure, based on the first value and on the plurality of second values, a CFM association and a local maintenance endpoint (MEP) for the VPLS instance on the apparatus.

Abstract: In one embodiment a method is provided for forwarding traffic through a standby device in the event of an uplink connection failure. The method generally includes forwarding traffic received on a first downlink connection with a dual-homed device to an uplink connection with a network core, detecting a failure on the uplink connection with the network core, and in response to detecting the failure, notifying a standby device of the failure and sending a message to the dual-homed device to trigger the dual-homed device to begin forwarding traffic to the network core via a second downlink connection between the standby device and the dual-homed device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, single-homing and active-active multi-homing is provided in a Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS). A customer edge node actively communicates frames of a same Virtual Private Network (VPN) instance with two or more VPLS nodes of a VPLS network. The VPLS nodes are configured to appropriately forward frames throughout the VPLS network: without looping of a frame sent by the same external node back to the same external node, without flooding multiple copies of a frame to the same external node, and while performing learning of addresses in forwarding tables of said VPLS nodes such that said forwarding tables of said VPLS nodes converge despite frames of the same LAN service being received by said at least two of said VPLS nodes from the same external node.