Application Topology Visualization for Data Center Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing and troubleshooting customer data centers with virtual servers and virtual machines is challenging due to the complexity of identifying issues in virtual/physical environments, requiring labor-intensive probing processes that are time-consuming and resource-intensive, especially when downtime occurs.
Innovation Solution
An application topology visualization system that provides a graphical user interface for a single-page representation of the application topology, using hexagons to represent tiers and allowing users to see both physical and virtual infrastructure together, with alert icons for issues, enabling drill-down capabilities to identify the root cause of problems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional probing processes are used to identify issues in virtual/physical environments, then comprehensive system coverage is achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the actual virtual/physical infrastructure topology through graphical icons and diagrams. This visual model allows operators to explore and diagnose issues without physically probing each component, significantly reducing troubleshooting time while maintaining accurate system coverage through the comprehensive visual representation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual interface that sits between the operator and the complex virtual/physical infrastructure. This intermediary graphical representation mediates the interaction by translating complex system relationships into easily interpretable visual forms, enabling rapid issue identification without direct system probing
2Measurement precision
If detailed probing of virtual machines and components is performed, then root cause identification is achieved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex infrastructure into hierarchical levels (physical infrastructure, virtual infrastructure, applications) represented by different icons and visual elements. This segmentation allows operators to focus on specific segments relevant to the issue at hand rather than probing the entire system, reducing computational resource consumption while maintaining precise root cause identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of visual detail and interaction capability for different parts of the topology based on their relevance to the current issue. The visual interface dynamically highlights and provides detailed information about affected components while using simplified representations for unrelated components, optimizing resource usage by focusing computational effort only where needed
3Loss of information
If comprehensive monitoring of all infrastructure components is implemented, then complete visibility is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the monitoring interface by representing infrastructure components as graphical icons arranged in a topological layout. This dimensional transformation converts complex tabular or textual data into an intuitive spatial representation, achieving complete system visibility while reducing perceived complexity through natural human spatial reasoning capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method of application topology visualization of a computing environment is disclosed. The application topology visualization obtains relationship data for a plurality of managed components, wherein the plurality of managed components have an application operating thereon. Event data for the plurality of managed components is also obtained. An application topology visualizer is used to generate the application topology visualization of the computing environment including the plurality of managed components, wherein the application topology visualization uses the relationship data and the event data for the plurality of managed components. A graphical user interface is used to display the application topology visualization of the computing environment as a single page.