Selecting forwarder in a network installation

A method comprising:

• computing, while operating in a forwarder mode, by a first network device in a network installation, a performance score, wherein the performance score corresponds to an operational performance of network device;
• broadcasting, by the first network device, the performance score that is computed to other network devices in the network installation;
• receiving, by the first network device, one or more performance scores from other network devices in the network installation;
• comparing, by the first network device, the one or more performance scores with the performance score that is computed;
• continuing, by the first network device, operation in the forwarder mode based on a determination that each of the one or more performance scores are less than the performance score that is computed;
• and
• modifying, by the other network devices of the network installation, an operational mode to one of a non-forwarder mode or a backup-forwarder mode, based on a determination that the performance score that is broadcasted is greater than a performance score computed for each of the other network devices.

An access point comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a non-transitory storage medium storing instructions accessible by the processor, wherein the instructions executable by the processor that cause the processor to:
• compute a performance score, while an initial operational mode is set to a forwarder mode;
• broadcast the performance score to other network devices in a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) deployment;
• receive one or more performance scores from the other network devices;
• compare the one or more performance scores that are received with the performance score that is computed;
• continue operation in the forwarder mode based on a determination that each of the one or more performance scores that are received are less than the performance score that is computed;
• receive multicast Domain Name Service (mDNS) packets from one or more client devices coupled to the VLAN deployment;
• and
• send the mDNS packets that are received to a central service.