System and method for network enabled wake for networks

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, wherein 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.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an application program interface (API) is leveraged in order to communicate the portion of the message, which identifies a media access control (MAC) address associated with the network device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the message includes filter criteria to be used to identify the network device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 searching a selection criteria database to identify the network device identified by the filter criteria.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the filter criteria is used to identify a group of network devices for which a subsequent message for changing power states is intended. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network device is part of a subnet associated with the network element. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a subsequent message at the network element, wherein the subsequent message directs a group of network devices to change their respective power states;   identifying priority characteristics associated with the group of network devices; and   communicating at least a portion of the subsequent message to a certain subset of the group of network devices based on their respective priority characteristics.   
     
     
         8 . Logic encoded in non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations, comprising:
 receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, wherein 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.   
     
     
         9 . The logic of  claim 8 , wherein an application program interface (API) is leveraged in order to communicate the portion of the message, which identifies a media access control (MAC) address associated with the network device. 
     
     
         10 . The logic of  claim 8 , wherein the message includes filter criteria to be used to identify the network device. 
     
     
         11 . The logic of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 searching a selection criteria database to identify the network device identified by the filter criteria.   
     
     
         12 . The logic of  claim 10 , wherein the filter criteria is used to identify a group of network devices for which a subsequent message for changing power states is intended. 
     
     
         13 . The logic of  claim 8 , wherein the network device is part of a subnet associated with the network element. 
     
     
         14 . The logic of  claim 8 , the operations further comprising:
 receiving a subsequent message at the network element, wherein the subsequent message directs a group of network devices to change their respective power states;   identifying priority characteristics associated with the group of network devices; and   communicating at least a portion of the subsequent message to a certain subset of the group of network devices based on their respective priority characteristics.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a memory element;   a processor operable to execute instructions associated with electronic code; and   a module operable to interface with the processor such that the apparatus is configured for:
 receiving a message at a network element configured for routing packets, wherein 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. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein an application program interface (API) is leveraged in order to communicate the portion of the message, which identifies a media access control (MAC) address associated with the network device. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the message includes filter criteria to be used to identify the network device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , the apparatus being further configured for:
 searching a selection criteria database to identify the network device identified by the filter criteria.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the filter criteria is used to identify a group of network devices for which a subsequent message for changing power states is intended. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the network device is part of a subnet associated with the network element.