Graph Rendering for Telecommunications Network Topology Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional operations support systems (OSSs) struggle to manage the increasing complexity of telecommunications network infrastructures, particularly in accommodating new technologies like NFV and SDN, leading to challenges in circuit turn-up times, inventory accuracy, fault resolution, and performance reliability for high-value applications such as video and VoLTE.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing graphical visualization of telecommunications network topology, using raw graph data to generate rendered graph data that includes node positions and entity types, allowing for efficient representation of complex network architectures and facilitating better management and monitoring of network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional operations support systems are used to manage telecommunications network infrastructure, then basic network management functions are provided, but the systems cannot handle the increasing complexity of network infrastructures including NFV and SDN technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex network topology data into discrete graph elements (nodes representing network elements and edges representing connections). This segmentation allows the visualization system to process and manage complex network infrastructures by breaking them down into manageable graphical components that can be rendered and analyzed individually while maintaining overall system coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graph-based data model as an intermediary layer between the raw network configuration data and the visualization interface. This intermediary graph structure serves as a universal representation format that can accommodate various network technologies (NFV, SDN, traditional networks) while providing a consistent method for visualization and analysis, thereby resolving the adaptability-complexity contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If detailed network topology data is visualized to improve monitoring and diagnosis capabilities, then network management effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of processing and rendering the data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal graph data model that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores network topology information, enables visualization rendering, supports path analysis, and facilitates fault diagnosis. This multi-functional graph structure eliminates the need for separate data structures for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision for network monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of network topology data by converting raw network configuration information into a standardized graph format before visualization or analysis operations. This pre-processing step organizes the data into a structure that is optimized for subsequent operations, reducing the complexity of real-time processing while enabling precise monitoring and diagnosis capabilities.
3Reliability
If comprehensive network infrastructure management is implemented to support multiple technologies, then service quality is improved, but operational complexity and turn-up times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data representation from traditional hierarchical network models to a graph-based model. This parameter change enables more efficient computation of network paths and relationships, allowing for faster circuit turn-up times while maintaining comprehensive support for multiple network technologies and high service quality through accurate topology representation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program embodiments are disclosed for providing graphical visualization of a telecommunications network topology. In an embodiment, raw graph data may be received that that represents one or more communications paths in the telecommunications network. The raw graph data may contain a plurality of network nodes and connections between the nodes, and each node may be associated with an entity type. A graph classification may then be determined based on the received raw graph data, and the classification may be associated with a plurality of graph rendering rules. The raw graph data may be converted to rendered graph data by determining graphical positions for each of the plurality of network nodes according to the plurality of rendering rules. In an embodiment, the rendered graph data may include the plurality of network nodes, the determined position and associated entity type of each node, and connections between nodes.