In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises of a control module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device that is configured to receive, via a network and from a wireless access point or an access network node, a control packet defined based on a control protocol. The control packet is associated with at least one control function of the wireless access point or access network node. The control module is configured to determine a status of an access network node based on the control packet from the access network node. The control module is configured to send via the network, a response to the access network node based on the status of the access network node.