Abstract: In a method of managing access to a network, a MAC based authentication operation is implemented in determining whether to grant a user device access to the network. In addition, a user is enabled to self-register a user device into a database of authorized users in response to the user being denied access through the MAC based authentication operation and being listed as a valid user in a directory of active network users. Moreover, the directory of active network users is monitored for modification of information pertaining to the users listed in the directory of active network users and the database of authorized users is modified in response to a determination that user information pertaining to at least one user listed in the directory of active network users that affects the database of authorized users has been modified.

Abstract: A method for packet forwarding through a communication link of a distributed link aggregation group (LAG) in a mesh network using a path tag is described herein. A packet is received on a non-mesh port of a first network device of the mesh network. A Media Access Controller (MAC) destination address of the packet that is associated with a plurality of network devices in the mesh is determined. Each network device of the plurality of network devices includes a link grouped in the distributed LAG. A destination mesh device from the plurality of network devices is selected. A plurality of available paths between the first network device and the destination mesh device are determined. A path of the plurality of available paths is selected. A tag associated with the selected path is inserted into the packet, and the packet is forwarded along the selected path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a network switch that periodically determines whether there are connectivity problems with first ports and a second port independently of responding to requests from computer systems. Information to be sent to the computer system that sends a request is generated. The information includes an error message regarding at least one of the connectivity problems when one of the first ports or the second port with the connectivity problem is required to respond to the request.

Abstract: An example switch in accordance with the present disclosure is to process a command to determine desired identification information; generate a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) frame based at least in part on the desired identification information, wherein the LLDP frame comprises an optional type-length-value (TLV) that causes a second switch to enable a light source; and transmit the LLDP to the second switch,

Abstract: Dynamic hardware address assignment to network devices in a switch mesh is described. In an example, a network device in a switch mesh dynamically assigns a hardware address to a network interface. The network device receives an address request from a client through the switch mesh. The network device calculates an index value for the client based on data in the address request. The network device selects the hardware address of a plurality of hardware addresses assigned to the network interface based on the index value. The switch mesh includes a plurality of traffic paths respectively for the plurality of hardware addresses. The network device sends the hardware address in a reply to the client through the switch mesh.

Abstract: A method includes reading content of network traffic that arrives at a network port of a network switch of a mesh of network switches. A hash algorithm is applied to the read content to indicate a path to a destination network switch of the mesh, the hash algorithm being common to all network switches of the mesh. The network traffic is forwarded via a network port that is associated with the indicated path.

Abstract: Dynamic hardware address assignment to network devices in a switch mesh is described. In an example, a network device in a switch mesh dynamically assigns a hardware address to a network interface. The network device receives an address request from a client through the switch mesh. The network device calculates an index value for the client based on data in the address request. The network device selects the hardware address of a plurality of hardware addresses assigned to the network interface based on the index value. The switch mesh includes a plurality of traffic paths respectively for the plurality of hardware addresses. The network device sends the hardware address in a reply to the client through the switch mesh.

Abstract: A method of reducing power consumption in a network. A first network device powers down or reduces the port speed of a port if said port is blocked by a loop mitigation protocol.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a packet from a distributed trunk switch and a computer-readable medium storing instructions therefor is described. The method comprises populating an address table of the distributed trunk switch. The method also comprises receiving a packet from a device connected to the distributed trunk switch and transmitting the received packet via a distributed trunk (DT) port of the distributed trunk switch if the destination address of the received packet corresponds to a distributed trunk port in the address table.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a packet from a distributed trunk switch and a computer-readable medium storing instructions therefor is described. The method comprises populating an address table of the distributed trunk switch. The method also comprises receiving a packet from a device connected to the distributed trunk switch and transmitting the received packet via a distributed trunk (DT) port of the distributed trunk switch if the destination address of the received packet corresponds to a distributed trunk port in the address table.

Abstract: A method for packet forwarding through a communication link of a distributed link aggregation group (LAG) in a mesh network using a path tag is described herein. A packet is received on a non-mesh port of a first network device of the mesh network. A Media Access Controller (MAC) destination address of the packet that is associated with a plurality of network devices in the mesh is determined. Each network device of the plurality of network devices includes a link grouped in the distributed LAG. A destination mesh device from the plurality of network devices is selected. A plurality of available paths between the first network device and the destination mesh device are determined. A path of the plurality of available paths is selected. A tag associated with the selected path is inserted into the packet, and the packet is forwarded along the selected path.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a packet from a distributed trunk switch and a computer-readable medium storing instructions therefor is described. The method comprises populating an address table of the distributed trunk switch. The method also comprises receiving a packet from a device connected to the distributed trunk switch and transmitting the received packet via a distributed trunk (DT) port of the distributed trunk switch if the destination address of the received packet corresponds to a distributed trunk port in the address table.

Abstract: Storing network flow information. Network packets comprising network internet protocol flow information is received at a network device, the network packets comprising an internet protocol header comprising internet protocol source and destination information pairs. The internet protocol source and destination information pairs are stored at a memory table of the network device. The internet protocol source and destination information pairs are made available for searching.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable mediums storing computer executable programs for managing access to a network at a network access management module are disclosed. A first network request is received from a client at a network access management module. A first determination is made regarding whether the first network request is associated with a restricted network action at the network access management module. A second network request is received from the client at the network access management module. The second network request is intercepted at the network access management module based on the first determination. A network access restriction notification is transmitted from the network access management module to the client based on the first determination.

Abstract: Embodiments of the device have a plurality of authentication slots for authenticating users, a port configured to receive an authentication request from a user, a memory, a queue maintained in the memory, and a processing engine configured to monitor the port and the authentication slots such that if an authentication request from a user is received and no authentication slots are available, an identifier associated with the user is enqueued on the queue, and wherein if one of the authentication slots is or becomes available and the queue is not empty, an identifier is dequeued from the queue and the associated user is authenticated using one of the available authentication slots.

Abstract: A system and methods of detecting a loop in a network having at least one access point with a first interface and a second interface, at least one switch with multiple ports, and at least one client with a first interface and a second interface, including: the access point first interface intermittently transmitting a loop check packet to the switch; the switch receiving the loop check packet at one of the ports and transmitting the loop check packet to the client through another one of the ports; the client first interface receiving the loop check packet; the client second interface retransmitting the loop check packet to the access point; and the access point second interface being configured to receive the retransmitted loop check packet. The access point detects a loop when the access point second interface receives the retransmitted loop check packet. Other embodiments eliminate the loops in various ways.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable mediums storing computer executable programs for managing access to a network at a network access management module are disclosed. A first network request is received from a client at a network access management module. A first determination is made regarding whether the first network request is associated with a restricted network action at the network access management module. A second network request is received from the client at the network access management module. The second network request is intercepted at the network access management module based on the first determination. A network access restriction notification is transmitted from the network access management module to the client based on the first determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a network switch that periodically determines whether there are connectivity problems with first ports and a second port independently of responding to requests from computer systems. Information to be sent to the computer system that sends a request is generated. The information includes an error message regarding at least one of the connectivity problems when one of the first ports or the second port with the connectivity problem is required to respond to the request.

Abstract: A system and methods of detecting a loop in a network having at least one access point with a first interface and a second interface, at least one switch with multiple ports, and at least one client with a first interface and a second interface, including: the access point first interface intermittently transmitting a loop check packet to the switch; the switch receiving the loop check packet at one of the ports and transmitting the loop check packet to the client through another one of the ports; the client first interface receiving the loop check packet; the client second interface retransmitting the loop check packet to the access point; and the access point second interface being configured to receive the retransmitted loop check packet. The access point detects a loop when the access point second interface receives the retransmitted loop check packet. Other embodiments eliminate the loops in various ways.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an upstream communication packet from a distributed trunk (DT) switch is described. The method comprises receiving a packet from a device connected to a DT port of the DT switch; and transmitting the received packet via a non-DT port of the DT switch if the DT switch is the owner of the device and transmitting the received packet via a DT interconnect (DTI) port of the DT switch if the DT switch is not the owner of the device.