Aspects of the embodiments are directed to a network element that is configured for receiving, from an access point, a data packet originating from a client, the data packet comprising a packet header that comprises a packet header augmented with context information; decapsulating the packet header to identify the context information; applying a client-specific policy on the packet based, at least in part, on the context information; and forwarding the packet to a next hop in the network. The network element can be part of a network, such as a datacenter fabric architecture.