Extension of Wi-Fi services multicast to a subnet across a Wi-Fi network using software-defined network (SDN) to centrally control data plane behavior

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing source code that, when executed by a processor, performs a method in a software-defined network (SDN) controller for extending Wi-Fi services available within a subnet to an entirety of a communication network by centrally coordinating data plane behavior, the method comprising the steps of:

• centrally monitoring data plane traffic flow at each of the plurality of network components distributed around the communication network for a plurality of subnets;
• receiving one or more packets forwarded from one of the network components and concerning an advertisement for services within a first subnet by an advertising station, the advertisement being multicast to the first subnet by the advertising station and the forwarded one or more packets being unicast to the SDN controller from one of the network components;
• receiving one or more packets forwarded from one of the network components and concerning a query for service within a second subnet by a querying station, the query being multicast to the second subnet by the querying station and the forwarded one or more packets being unicast to the SDN controller one of the network components;
• matching the query for service to the advertisement;
• and
• responsive to matching, sending a set of connection parameters necessary for the querying station at the second subnet to connect to the advertising station at the first subnet.

An SDN (Software-Defined Networking) controller to extend Wi-Fi services available within a subnet to an entirety of a communication network by centrally coordinating data plane behavior, the SDN controller comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory, storing:
• a first module to centrally monitor data plane traffic flow at each of the plurality of network components distributed around the communication network for a plurality of subnets;
• a second module to receive one or more packets forwarded from one of the network components and concerning an advertisement for services within a first subnet by an advertising station, the advertisement being multicast to the first subnet by the advertising station and the forwarded one or more packets being unicast to the SDN controller from one of the network components;
• a third module to receive one or more packets forwarded from one of the network components and concerning a query for service within a second subnet by a querying station, the query being multicast to the second subnet by the querying station and the forwarded one or more packets being unicast to the SDN controller one of the network components;
• a fourth module to match the query for service to the advertisement;
• and
• a fifth module to, responsive to matching, send a set of connection parameters necessary for the querying station at the second subnet to connect to the advertising station at the first subnet.