Custom Graph Generation via Plugin Architecture for Network Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing network-connected computing infrastructures face challenges in generating custom graphs that are both relevant and usable, as large and complex graphs can overwhelm users with unnecessary information, and traditional model-driven approaches lack flexibility in optimizing the display by hiding or simplifying nodes and connections without reorganizing or adding inferable relationships.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for custom graph generation that selects a root node and uses a plugin architecture to iteratively generate and process child nodes, allowing for the creation of a custom graph that can include additional or inferred nodes and connections, without requiring handling of metadata, security, or graph traversal APIs, thereby providing a more flexible and user-centric view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a complete graph of all network components is generated, then comprehensive information about the infrastructure is provided, but the graph becomes overwhelming and unusable due to excessive information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the relevant subset of nodes and connections based on user selection and plugin-defined criteria, removing unnecessary information from the view while maintaining comprehensive data availability in the background
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities and levels of detail to different regions of the graph, with the selected node and its relevant connections receiving detailed presentation while other areas are simplified or omitted
2Ease of operation
If traditional model-driven approaches are used to hide or simplify nodes, then information overload is reduced, but flexibility to add inferable relationships and reorganize connections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the graph structure can be flexibly reorganized and customized through plugin mechanisms, allowing the display to adapt to different user needs and contexts rather than following a fixed model-driven template
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of graph generation by using plugins that can infer and add relationships based on various criteria, transforming the static model-driven approach into a configurable system with adjustable parameters for node selection, connection types, and display properties
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom graph generation with plugin architecture is implemented, then flexibility and relevance are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the graph generation functionality into independent plugins that can be individually developed, activated, and managed, reducing the perceived complexity by dividing the system into manageable, specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal plugin architecture that can handle multiple different graph generation scenarios and customization needs through a common framework, reducing overall system complexity by providing a multi-functional solution rather than separate systems for each use case
Data Source
AI summary
A custom graph of nodes can be selectively generated based on a selected node in a graph representative of a network-connected computing infrastructure. The custom graph can, for example, be generated using software executing on a server device. The server device can receive an indication of the selected node from a client device. A plugin can then be invoked by providing the selected node to the plugin. Responsive to providing the selected node to the plugin, the plugin can provide output including child nodes generated by the plugin. The child nodes generated by the invocation of the plugin can be iteratively processed to generate the custom graph, such as by providing those child nodes to the plugin for subsequent invocation, as applicable. After the custom graph is generated, it can be transmitted to the client device from which the indication of the selected node was received. The custom graph may be displayed at the client device.