Network Topology Visualization with Hierarchical Tab Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
As networks grow, existing topology display methods struggle to present network connection information effectively, leading to difficulties in monitoring and troubleshooting due to small node sizes, dense link representation, and reduced space for description, resulting in loss of information on traffic routes between nodes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-generated graphical user interface displays network topology by selecting nodes associated with site indicators, expanding views to show path routes between nodes, highlighting intersecting and adjacent nodes, and using tabs to represent physical sites and building units, allowing for a clear, hierarchical representation of network connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nodes are depicted in smaller sizes and links are shown more densely to accommodate new network elements, then the network topology map can display more nodes, but it becomes difficult to read or digest the connections and routes between the nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The network topology map is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels (site level, building level, floor level, device level). Each level displays a manageable subset of nodes at an appropriate size, avoiding the need to display all nodes simultaneously in a single crowded view. This segmentation allows nodes to be displayed at readable sizes while still accommodating a large total number of nodes across multiple levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the display structure, organizing nodes across multiple levels (sites, buildings, floors, devices) rather than attempting to flatten all nodes into a single two-dimensional space. This dimensional organization allows the system to manage large numbers of nodes while maintaining readability at each level.
2Quantity of substance
If existing topology display techniques are used to accommodate more network elements, then the network topology map can include more nodes, but less space is left for the description of the nodes and links causing loss of information on traffic routes
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into hierarchical levels with dedicated space for both node representations and link descriptions at each level. By dividing the network into sites, buildings, floors, and devices, the system can provide detailed information about traffic routes between nodes without requiring all nodes to be visible simultaneously, thus preventing information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested hierarchical structure where sites contain buildings, buildings contain floors, and floors contain devices. This nesting allows detailed traffic route information to be displayed at appropriate levels of the hierarchy, with context preserved from higher levels, thereby maintaining complete information about network paths while accommodating large numbers of elements.
3Quantity of substance
If nodes are depicted in smaller sizes to accommodate space for new network elements, then more nodes can be displayed, but the description space for nodes and links is reduced making monitoring and troubleshooting difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical segmentation allows the system to display many nodes across multiple levels while maintaining adequate description space at each level for monitoring and troubleshooting. Each level (site, building, floor, device) can be examined in detail independently, ensuring that reliability-critical information is always accessible without requiring all nodes to be visible simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A first node associated with a first site indicator is selected in a computer-generated graphical user interface. An expanded view of a first tab depicting a first set of nodes is presented. The first node represents a first internetworking device at the first physical site. A second node associated with a second site indicator is selected. An expanded view of a second tab depicting a second set of nodes is presented. The second node represents a second internetworking device at the second physical site external to the first physical site. A path route between the first node and the second node, intersecting nodes connecting the first node and the second node, additional nodes immediately adjacent to the intersecting nodes are determined. The path route, intersecting nodes, and additional nodes are displayed in the first tab and the second tab.