Abstract: In one embodiment, a device obtains path probing data for paths between a set of network nodes wherein a first subset of the set of network nodes are operated by a provider of an online application or service and a second subset of the set of network nodes operated by affiliates. The device generates, based on the path probing data, a performance model of path performances between clients in different geolocations and the online application or service via each of the set of network nodes. The device determines, based on the performance model, a particular node in the second subset should be used as a point of presence for clients located in a particular one of the different geolocations to access the online application or service. The device configures a network overlay including the first subset and the particular node as points of presence for the online application or service.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient roaming of clients between access points (APs) of a wireless data communications network are described. A first AP receives a request for a first client device to join the network. The request specifies at least a unique identifier for the first client device. An identifier for a second AP is identified by processing the unique identifier using a predefined hash function. The second AP is one of at least two APs configured to each redundantly store network state information relating to the first client device. A network address of the second AP is determined. A first request to is transmitted to the network address, for network state information including a pairwise master key (PMK) and profile information. The PMK and the profile information are received. The first client device is authenticated and a connection is established between the first client device and the network.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient roaming of clients between access points (APs) of a wireless data communications network are described. A first AP receives a request for a first client device to join the network. The request specifies at least a unique identifier for the first client device. An identifier for a second AP is identified by processing the unique identifier using a predefined hash function. The second AP is one of at least two APs configured to each redundantly store network state information relating to the first client device. A network address of the second AP is determined. A first request to is transmitted to the network address, for network state information including a pairwise master key (PMK) and profile information. The PMK and the profile information are received. The first client device is authenticated and a connection is established between the first client device and the network.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient roaming of clients between access points (APs) of a wireless data communications network are described. A first AP can receive a request for the first client to join the network. The request can specify a unique identifier for the first client. An identifier for a second AP can be determined by processing the unique identifier for the first client using a predefined hash function. A network address of the second AP can be determined using the determined identifier for the second AP. The first AP can transmit a request to the determined network address of the second AP to query for network state information corresponding to the first client, and upon receiving a pairwise master key (PMK) associated with the first client, can authenticate the first client to join the network.

Abstract: A controller coordinates execution of a set of related processes executed by respective devices in the virtual network, wherein coordinating comprises causing the respective devices to execute the set of related processes; receiving a data set for the set of related processes from the respective devices, comprising receiving operational states of the related processes from the respective devices; reading a previous data set comprising previous operational states of the related processes from the respective devices; processing an update to the previous operational states from the received operational states of the received data set; and aggregating the received operational states of the data set with the previous operational states of the related processes to form aggregated data of updated operational states.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, where the message directs a network device to change its power state; identifying the network device as being associated with a network for which the network element has responsibility; and communicating at least a portion of the message from the network element to the network device.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining latency in a physical network that includes a number of network devices over which packets travel. A virtual network controller receives a plurality of messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages including a packet signature comprising a hash of an invariant portion of an original packet that uniquely identifies the original packet, an identifier of one of the plurality of network devices from which the respective message was received, and a timestamp indicating a time an original packet was processed by the network device from which the respective message was received. The virtual network controller determines a latency of a physical network path in the network based on analysis of contents of the identified messages having a common packet signature.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining latency in a physical network that includes a number of network devices over which packets travel. A virtual network controller receives a plurality of messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages including a packet signature comprising a hash of an invariant portion of an original packet that uniquely identifies the original packet, an identifier of one of the plurality of network devices from which the respective message was received, and a timestamp indicating a time an original packet was processed by the network device from which the respective message was received. The virtual network controller determines a latency of a physical network path in the network based on analysis of contents of the identified messages having a common packet signature.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for configuring and managing virtual networks. For example, a distributed virtual network controller is described that configures and manages an overlay network within a physical network formed by plurality of switches. A plurality of servers are interconnected by the switch fabric, each of the servers comprising an operating environment executing one or more virtual machines in communication via the overlay networks. The servers comprises a set of virtual switches that extends the overlay network as a virtual network to the operating environment of the virtual machines.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining latency in a physical network that includes a number of network devices over which packets travel. A virtual network controller receives a plurality of messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages including a packet signature comprising a hash of an invariant portion of an original packet that uniquely identifies the original packet, an identifier of one of the plurality of network devices from which the respective message was received, and a timestamp indicating a time an original packet was processed by the network device from which the respective message was received. The virtual network controller determines a latency of a physical network path in the network based on analysis of contents of the identified messages having a common packet signature.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, where the message directs a network device to change its power state; identifying the network device as being associated with a network for which the network element has responsibility; and communicating at least a portion of the message from the network element to the network device.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes computing energy usage associated with a domain that includes a plurality of endpoints; identifying particular endpoints of the plurality of endpoints that are capable of switching from a first power source to a battery power source; and communicating a broadcast message to the particular endpoints to switch to their corresponding battery power source.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a query over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain, the query including a request for data relating to energy use. The query can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In other embodiments, a discovery protocol (DP) and a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is used for transporting events regarding the entities that connect or disconnect from the network. The entities send discovery events over a DP/LLDP protocol, identifying them as part of the domain. In yet other embodiments, the method includes querying a selected one of the entities to determine, if the selected entity moved to a certain energy level, an energy consumption value at the certain energy level.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a message to be communicated over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain. The message includes data relating to energy use. The message can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In more specific embodiments, a formatting of the message is done at an application level. The formatting of the message is independent of a transport protocol of the message.

Abstract: Techniques are described for determining latency in a physical network that includes a number of network devices over which packets travel. A virtual network controller receives a plurality of messages from a plurality of network devices in a network, each of the messages including a packet signature comprising a hash of an invariant portion of an original packet that uniquely identifies the original packet, an identifier of one of the plurality of network devices from which the respective message was received, and a timestamp indicating a time an original packet was processed by the network device from which the respective message was received. The virtual network controller determines a latency of a physical network path in the network based on analysis of contents of the identified messages having a common packet signature.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a query over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain, the query including a request for data relating to energy use. The query can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In other embodiments, a discovery protocol (DP) and a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is used for transporting events regarding the entities that connect or disconnect from the network. The entities send discovery events over a DP/LLDP protocol, identifying them as part of the domain. In yet other embodiments, the method includes querying a selected one of the entities to determine, if the selected entity moved to a certain energy level, an energy consumption value at the certain energy level.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, where the message directs a network device to change its power state; identifying the network device as being associated with a network for which the network element has responsibility; and communicating at least a portion of the message from the network element to the network device.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes communicating a query over a network to a plurality of entities that reside in a domain, the query including a request for data relating to energy use. The query can be generated by one or more computing devices belonging to the domain. A selected one of the computing devices can control power consumption for the entities in the domain. In other embodiments, a discovery protocol (DP) and a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) is used for transporting events regarding the entities that connect or disconnect from the network. The entities send discovery events over a DP/LLDP protocol, identifying them as part of the domain. In yet other embodiments, the method includes querying a selected one of the entities to determine, if the selected entity moved to a certain energy level, an energy consumption value at the certain energy level.