Abstract: An electronic device may receive a control packet from the second electronic device with a request for information about a router. Then, the electronic device may provide a response to the second electronic device with the information about the router, where the response is provided using unicast communication. Next, the electronic device may receive an optional acknowledgment from the second electronic device. Furthermore, the electronic device may store response information that indicates the response was provided to the second electronic device and the optional acknowledgment was received. When the electronic device receives one or more subsequent control packets from the second electronic device with the request for the information about the router, the electronic device may determine that there is malicious activity based at least in part on the response information and may perform a remedial action.

Abstract: An access point that detects a duplicate address is described. During operation, the access point may receive a request associated with an electronic device, where the request includes an address of the electronic device (such as an IP address). In response, the access point may perform a comparison of the address to stored addresses of one or more electronic devices that are associated with the access point. When the comparison indicates that the address is in use by another electronic device in the one or more electronic devices, the access point may provide a response addressed to the electronic device that indicates that the address is in use. Otherwise, the access point may check with a remainder of a network to see if the address is in use. If the address is in use, the access point may provide the response.

Abstract: An electronic device may receive a control packet from the second electronic device with a request for information about a router. Then, the electronic device may provide a response to the second electronic device with the information about the router, where the response is provided using unicast communication. Next, the electronic device may receive an optional acknowledgment from the second electronic device. Furthermore, the electronic device may store response information that indicates the response was provided to the second electronic device and the optional acknowledgment was received. When the electronic device receives one or more subsequent control packets from the second electronic device with the request for the information about the router, the electronic device may determine that there is malicious activity based at least in part on the response information and may perform a remedial action.

Abstract: During operation, an access point receives a message a message from a second access point with second information specifying loading of the second access point. Then, the access point receives a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request from an electronic device with an Internet protocol (IP) address of the access point and a media access control (MAC) address of the electronic device. Next, the access point determines, based at least in part on information specifying loading of the access point, the second information and the MAC address, an assigned IP address of a gateway for the electronic device to access a second network, where the assigned IP address is one of: the IP address of the access point, or a second IP address of the second access point. Moreover, the access point provides a DHCP response to the electronic device with the assigned IP address.

Abstract: During operation, an access point receives a message a message from a second access point with second information specifying loading of the second access point. Then, the access point receives a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request from an electronic device with an Internet protocol (IP) address of the access point and a media access control (MAC) address of the electronic device. Next, the access point determines, based at least in part on information specifying loading of the access point, the second information and the MAC address, an assigned IP address of a gateway for the electronic device to access a second network, where the assigned IP address is one of the IP address of the access point, or a second IP address of the second access point. Moreover, the access point provides a DHCP response to the electronic device with the assigned IP address.