Multi-Cloud Topology Graph UI for Network Connectivity Troubleshooting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network administrators face challenges in effectively troubleshooting connectivity issues and monitoring network traffic across multiple public cloud networks due to the lack of conventional solutions for visualizing connectivity and state information, and existing systems fail to provide a scalable and intuitive graphical user interface for building and monitoring network topologies.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that generates a graphical user interface for building a network topology graph, automatically deploying constructs and communication lines, and provides interactive visualizations of network traffic and health across multiple cloud networks, enabling administrators to monitor and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If network administrators rely on conventional cloud provider interfaces, then access to cloud resources is maintained, but visibility into network connectivity and traffic flow across multiple cloud networks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex multi-cloud network into visualizable components by creating a topology graph that divides the network into distinct nodes (cloud networks, virtual networks, subnets) and edges (connectivity paths). This segmentation allows administrators to see and manage each component separately while understanding their relationships, resolving the contradiction between needing comprehensive visibility and managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The topology graph visualization acts as an intermediary layer between the complex multi-cloud network infrastructure and the administrator. Instead of directly interacting with complex API calls and raw network data, administrators interact with the visualized topology graph, which translates complex network states into intuitive graphical representations, thereby reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining full visibility.
2Loss of information
If cloud network providers limit user access to certain constructs, then security and control are maintained, but sufficient network information is not available for effective troubleshooting
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges information from multiple cloud provider constructs (AWS, Azure, GCP) into a unified topology graph visualization. By combining data from VPCs, subnets, connectivity paths, and traffic flow across different cloud networks into a single visual representation, the system overcomes the limitation of accessing only limited constructs from each provider while maintaining the security and control benefits of multi-cloud deployment.
3Ease of operation
If a comprehensive network topology visualization system is implemented, then network troubleshooting capability is improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The topology graph system provides multiple functions through a single unified interface: visualizing network topology, monitoring traffic flow, detecting anomalies, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. By making the system multi-functional, the invention reduces the need for separate tools and complex workflows, thereby improving ease of operation without proportionally increasing the perceived complexity for the end user.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed cloud computing system is disclosed that includes a controller configured to deploy network constructs including any of transit gateways, spoke gateways, subnets, or private networks and logic that, upon execution by one or more processors, causes performance of operations including: causing rendering of a graphical user interface that includes a display panel configured to display progress of a build process for a network topology graph, receiving first user input through the graphical user interface indicating selection of a first cloud service provider, a first access account, and a first cloud region, receiving second user input through the graphical user interface indicating selection of one or more of the network constructs to be deployed in the first cloud region, instructing the controller to deploy the one or more of the network constructs in the first cloud region according to the first user input and the second user input.