Cisco Technology, Inc.

John Parello

Tirthankar Ghose

Rituraj Kirti

Matthew A Laherty

Xiaohang Li

David W Kunkel

Charles Calvin Byers

Jason DeWayne Potterf

Charles B Schoening

Donald Schriner

Luis Orlando Suau

Padmanabhan Ramanujam

Sarat Pollakattu

Ramanathan T Jagadeesan

Benoit Claise

Ashwin Kumar

Emmanuel P Tychon

Biren Gandhi

William MacGowan

Anoop Nannra

Rachel Ross

Amber Imam

A method is performed by a first fog node of a plurality of fog nodes. In some implementations, the first fog node includes a non-transitory memory and one or more processors coupled with the non-transitory memory. In some implementations, the method includes maintaining a distributed ledger in coordination with the remaining fog nodes of the plurality of fog nodes. In some implementations, the distributed ledger stores configuration information associated with one or more devices. In some implementations, the method includes obtaining a request for configuration information from a device that breaches a resource threshold associated with the distributed ledger. In some implementations, the method includes transmitting, to the device, the configuration information associated with the device in order to allow the device to be configured in accordance with the configuration information while the device breaches the resource threshold associated with the distributed ledger.

Configuring resource-constrained devices in a network

A method is provided in which a network access system receives an initial request from a device requesting access to the network. In response to successfully authenticating the initial access request, the system causes a code to be transmitted in light emitted by one or more light fixtures within a physical space in which access to the network is to be restricted. The system receives information from the device requesting access to the network and determines whether to permit the device access to the network based on the initial request and on whether the received information is derived from the code transmitted by the one or more light fixtures, thereby indicating that the requesting device is within the physical space.

Method and system to provide multi-factor authentication for network access using light

Various systems and methods for using power challenges to authenticate network devices are disclosed herein. For example, one method involves initiating a power challenge to authenticate an endpoint device, which involves, at least in part, requesting the endpoint device to perform a specific power signature; receiving data indicating whether the endpoint device performed the requested power signature within a given time interval, wherein the data can be received from, e.g., a power interface or other device capable of observing the endpoint device; processing the received data to determine if the endpoint device correctly performed the requested power signature; and if the endpoint correctly performed the power signature, authenticating the endpoint.

Method for authenticating a networked endpoint using a physical (power) challenge

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.

System and method for network enabled wake for networks

Techniques are presented herein to enable identification of light fixtures. A light fixture modulates light emitted by the light fixture with an identifier associated with the light fixture. The identifier may be encoded or encrypted before it is modulated. In one example, the identifier is a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID). A user device is positioned to detect light emitted by the light fixture. The user device demodulates the light to obtain the identifier. The identifier, time and location associated with detection of the identifier are sent to a management entity for use in provisioning the light fixture on a network.

Identifier announcement and detection scheme for PoE fixtures

A lighting control system is provided which accepts user lightning commands, generates controls in accordance with predetermined operating policies and directs light fixtures to produce brightness, color, or directional pattern of the light emitted by the light fixtures. The lighting control system determines whether the light emitted by the light fixtures complies with government regulations, and building policies, and insures that controls are adjusted such that all regulations regarding lighting safety and working conditions, as well as building policy and energy management targets are adhered to. In addition, a way to reconcile conflicting user requests for lighting settings is provided.

Distributed control of lights subject to compliance constraints

Techniques presented herein are directed to lighting management techniques supporting lighting functions of networked light fixtures. In accordance with one example, a light fixture in networked lighting system accepts a lighting request transmitted by a computing device. The light fixture determines whether the lighting request is a control message or a query message and performs one or more operations in response to the lighting request depending on whether the lighting request is a control message or a query message.

Networked lighting management

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.

System and method for notifying and for controlling power demand

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.

System and method for querying for energy data in a network environment

A method is disclosed for providing notification of network alarms using a plurality of distributed layers. A message is received that indicates an event occurred at a primary entity. The event is bound to a managed object, which represents the primary entity, to create a bound event. An overall condition is determined for the primary entity, based at least in part on the bound event, to create one or more condition notifications. The impact of a particular condition notification on one or more entities, which are related to the primary entity, is analyzed to create one or more impact notifications. One or more first alarms, which indicate the one or more related entities are impacted by a particular impact notification, are created. One or more second alarms are created based on the one or more first alarms.

Method and apparatus for providing notification of network alarms using a plurality of distributed layers

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.

System and method for intelligent energy management in a network environment

A system, apparatus and device are described for collecting, aggregating and monitoring network management information from a plurality of network devices in a network management system. User-definable configuration information are utilized, which contain an operational specification on what to collect, aggregate and monitor, scheduled, e.g., at desired times or intervals. Network devices on the network are identified, then queried. Data are acquired in accordance with instructions contained in the operational specification. Transformations are performed and the data periodically monitored for compliance with specific threshold conditions. Notifications are generated whenever a threshold condition has been met. Data is stored to a database and aggregated to generate trending information. Data stored in the database can be subsequently removed automatically based on aging or other user-specified criteria. The data are rendered to a display for viewing by the user using device-specific GUI attributes.

Growing community of inventors

Campbell, CA, United States of America

John Parello