Network awareness of device location

Abstract

Systems and methods for managing a network are disclosed. One method can comprise detecting a triggering event at a node. Location information of the node can be transmitted to a routing device in response to the triggering event. Location information of the node can be transmitted to a management device. The management device can be configured to control an operation of one or more of the node and the routing device in response to the location information.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a management device, based on a triggering event at an access point, location information inside a layer 3 packet encapsulated within a layer 2 frame; and   controlling, based on the location information, one or more operations of the access point.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving data at the access point and wherein receiving the location information comprises receiving the location information from one or more of the access point or a routing device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the management device comprises one or more of an authentication element, an authorization element, or an accounting element and wherein the management device is configured to control an operation of one or more of the access point and a routing device based on the location information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location information comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the access point. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location information is encapsulated in the layer 2 frame using one or more of internet control messaging protocol, address resolution protocol, or connectivity fault management protocol. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the one or more operations of the access point comprises provisioning the access point. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing, based on the location information, one or more portions of targeted content to be sent to a user device associated with the access point. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a management device, based on a triggering event, and in a layer 2 frame encapsulated in a layer 3 packet, location information associated with an access point; and   causing, based on the location information, content to be sent to a user device associated with the access point.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the triggering event comprises receiving data from a user device at the access point. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the management device comprises one or more of an authentication element, an authorization element, or an accounting element and wherein the management device is configured to control an operation of one or more of the access point and a routing device based on the location information. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the location information comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the access point. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the location information is encapsulated in the layer 2 frame using one or more of internet control messaging protocol, address resolution protocol, or connectivity fault management protocol and wherein the layer 2 frame comprising the location information is encapsulated in the layer 3 packet using generic routing encapsulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising causing, based on the location information, one or more portions of targeted content to be sent to a user device associated with the access point. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a management device, based on a first communication from a user device, first location information associated with a first access point;   receiving, in a layer 2 frame encapsulated in a layer 3 packet, based on a second communication from the user device, second location information associated with a second access point; and   updating, based on a difference between the first location information and the second location information, location data associated with the user device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the layer 2 frame comprising the second location information is encapsulated in the layer 3 packet using generic routing encapsulation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the management device comprises one or more of an authentication element, an authorization element, or an accounting element and wherein the management device is configured to control an operation of one or more of the first access point or the second access point based on one or more of the first location information and the second location information. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein one or more of the first location information or the second location information comprises a MAC address associated with one or more of the first access point or the second access point. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second location information is encapsulated in the layer 2 frame using one or more of internet control messaging protocol, address resolution protocol, or connectivity fault management protocol. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein one or more of the first access point or the second access point is a wireless router. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising causing, based on one or more of the first location information and the second location information, one or more portions of targeted content to be sent to the user device.