Egress Peer Engineering Visualization for Network Traffic Plan Costs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network planning and design systems face challenges in visualizing and understanding complex traffic plans, leading to inefficient use of computing and networking resources and the implementation of suboptimal traffic plans, which waste resources and cause operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A traffic planning platform that utilizes egress peer engineering to generate visualizations of traffic plans, using geometric shapes with varying visual properties to represent traffic bandwidth and cost functions, enabling operators to make informed changes and optimize network resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If complex traffic plans are visualized using traditional methods, then network operators can analyze traffic flow, but the visualization becomes difficult to understand and interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color coding to represent different cost levels and traffic bandwidth characteristics in the visualization. Cost functions are displayed using color gradients where different colors indicate different cost ranges, making it easy for operators to identify high-cost paths. Traffic bandwidth is also represented through color variations, allowing simultaneous visualization of multiple parameters without overwhelming the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex multi-dimensional traffic plan data into a two-dimensional visual representation by mapping cost functions, traffic bandwidth, and path information onto a graphical interface. This dimensional transformation allows operators to perceive relationships between multiple parameters that would be difficult to understand in tabular or textual formats.
2Reliability
If detailed traffic plan data is presented to operators, then informed decisions can be made, but the complexity of the information overwhelms operators and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complex traffic plan information into distinct visual components: cost function representations, traffic bandwidth indicators, and interactive path elements. Each segment presents specific information in a simplified format, allowing operators to process information in manageable units while maintaining access to detailed data through interactive exploration.
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization employs dynamic elements that respond to operator interaction, allowing the level of detail to be adjusted on-demand. Operators can hover over or select specific elements to reveal detailed cost function data and traffic bandwidth information, while the default view presents a simplified overview. This dynamic presentation maintains operational efficiency while enabling informed decision-making when needed.
3Productivity
If traditional network planning systems are used, then traffic plans can be generated, but suboptimal plans are implemented due to lack of clear visualization and understanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the visualization immediately reflects the cost implications and resource utilization of different traffic routing options. Cost functions are dynamically updated and displayed based on selected paths, providing real-time feedback to operators about the optimality of their decisions. This feedback loop enables operators to identify and correct suboptimal routing before implementation, reducing waste of computing and networking resources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If interactive elements are added to enable plan adjustments, then operators can optimize traffic flow, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs interactive elements that serve multiple functions: visual elements can be selected to view details, dragged to reconfigure paths, and clicked to access configuration options. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate controls needed, maintaining interface simplicity while providing comprehensive optimization capabilities. The same visual representation of traffic flow serves both as information display and as the mechanism for plan adjustment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A traffic planning platform may receive information related to a traffic flow including a traffic bandwidth to transport through a network with various network devices interconnected by links. The traffic planning platform may generate a traffic plan by assigning the traffic flow to a set of the links that includes network resources connecting a source of the traffic flow to a destination of the traffic flow. The traffic planning platform may render a visualization of the traffic plan, wherein the visualization includes a user interface (e.g., a diagram, an animation, and/or the like) in which geometric shapes that represent the source, the peer link, and the destination are connected by bands that represent the tunnel and the external route and further in which the geometric shapes and the bands each have a first visual property and a second visual property based on the traffic bandwidth of the traffic flow.