Abstract: Exemplary embodiments identify all viable paths in an ECMP/WCMP enabled network without running traceroute multiple times. Devices in a network may be configured to send a packet including a pre-determined option to a Software-Defined Network Controller (SDNC) upon receipt. If a destination of the packet is within the SDNC-controlled domain, SDNC identifies all viable ECMP/WCMP paths using routing information of the network. If the destination of the packet is outside the SDNC-controlled domain, SDNC identifies at least one egress switch of the SDNC-controlled domain. SDNC may identify internal paths connecting the source of the packet to the at least one egress switch. SDNC may also identify external paths connecting the at least one egress switch to the destination of the packet. SDNC may construct the viable ECMP/WCMP paths by connecting the internal paths to the external paths.

Abstract: Network load balancing may be performed in a cluster by deploying multicasting or replication. In particular, one or more multicast trees may be deployed within the cluster. Packets may be multicast towards the hosts over the multicast tree(s) to reach the hosts in a pool of hosts associated with a given Virtual Internet Protocol (“VIP”) address. Packets may be filtered before the packets reach the hosts to ensure that each host only receives packets for the session the host is handling. The filtering may be performed at various levels of the multicast tree. Replication may be deployed instead of multicasting to realize the same network load balancing.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a client in a network sending data packets to a server using multiple paths. The client may check if the server can receive packets sent at the backup ports of the client by including an option in a first packet sent to the server. The option included in the packet may provide a list of available backup ports that may be used by the client to communicate with the server. If the server supports the option, the server includes the option in an acknowledgment packet sent back to the client. The client and the server may create a mapping from the client's backup ports to the client's primary port. Thus, when the server receives a packet sent at a backup port, the server treats the packet as if the packet was sent at the primary port of the client.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments identify all viable paths in an ECMP/WCMP enabled network without running traceroute multiple times. Devices in a network may be configured to send a packet including a pre-determined option to an Software-Defined Network Controller (SDNC) upon receipt. If a destination of the packet is within the SDNC-controlled domain, SDNC identifies all viable ECMP/WCMP paths using routing information of the network. If the destination of the packet is outside the SDNC-controlled domain, SDNC identifies at least one egress switch of the SDNC-controlled domain. SDNC may identify internal paths connecting the source of the packet to the at least one egress switch. SDNC may also identify external paths connecting the at least one egress switch to the destination of the packet. SDNC may construct the viable ECMP/WCMP paths by connecting the internal paths to the external paths.

Abstract: A system and method of validating a connection to an optical circuit switch include sending a packet of data through a first connection to the optical circuit switch to test whether the packet reaches a second connection to the optical circuit switch. The first connection may be selected for retesting with a third connection and a second packet of data may be sent to the third connection. Data indicative of the first connection being correctly wired may be generated based in part on a determination that the second packet reached the third connection.

Abstract: A network may assign or reassign data paths to allow the network to shut down servers or switches and meet network demand at a lower energy cost. By assigning or reassigning data paths, network demand is met using only a subset of the network elements, allowing a subset of servers and switches to be temporarily shut down, thereby saving power while maintaining the ability to meet network demand.

Abstract: Aspects and implementations of the present disclosure are directed to selection of a controller by a network device in a software defined network. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a network device configured to receive a first controller availability message from a first controller device in a plurality of controller devices that includes at least a second controller device, select one of the first controller device and the second controller device as a controller for the network device based at least on the first controller availability message received from the first controller device, and report the selection of the controller device to the selected controller device. In some implementations, selection is based on a comparison of one or more performance characteristics for the controller devices. The performance characteristics may include a number of network devices under control by each controller device and/or an average latency for each controller device.

Abstract: A system that optimizes packet transmissions during a convergecast operation in a convergecast network. During operation, the system receives a request to perform the convergecast operation in the convergecast network. In response to the request, the system constructs a convergecast-tree, which includes the base-station and the plurality of nodes, based on hop counts from the plurality of nodes to the base-station. Next, the system linearizes the convergecast-tree so that the convergecast-tree contains a plurality of linear branches. The system then schedules packet transmission for each of the linear branches and each node in each branch based on a set of predetermined criteria to obtain a scheduled order. Finally, the system performs packet transmissions in the convergecast-tree using the scheduled order. Note that performing the convergecast operation in this way substantially optimizes the convergecast operation by reducing a total number of timeslots required to complete the convergecast operation.