Interactive Network Traffic Visualization for Direct Security Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network management systems lack the ability to visually represent data traffic in an intuitive and actionable manner, leading to inefficiencies and errors due to the separation of data visualization from management actions, which is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and security in modern network environments.
Innovation Solution
An interactive visualization tool is provided that allows administrators to directly interact with network traffic data through a Graphical User Interface (GUI), enabling cloud-based security functions based on user selections, utilizing a Sankey diagram with nodes representing protocols, ports, and application segments, and supporting zero trust network access (ZTNA) to manage and secure network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional network management systems are used to provide data on traffic flow, then data collection is achieved, but the ability to visually represent data in an easy to understand and actionable way is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visualization layer that sits between the raw network traffic data and the administrator. This visualization layer transforms complex network protocols and traffic patterns into intuitive graphical representations (Sankey diagrams, flow maps) that are easy to understand while preserving all necessary information for decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/text-based network management interfaces with visual/graphical interfaces. Instead of requiring administrators to parse text logs or configure complex parameters manually, the system uses visual metaphors (flow diagrams, color-coded indicators) to represent network states and enable intuitive configuration through graphical interactions.
2Productivity
If network traffic analysis tools separate data visualization from management actions, then data analysis is achieved, but efficiency and error rates are negatively impacted due to requiring different interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate functions (data visualization and management actions) into a single unified interface. The Sankey diagram and other visualizations are not just display elements but are interactive canvases where administrators can directly perform management actions such as configuring security policies, blocking traffic, or adjusting parameters by interacting with the visual elements themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The visualization interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays network traffic patterns, enables configuration of security policies, provides real-time monitoring, and allows direct manipulation of network parameters. This multi-functional interface eliminates the need to switch between separate tools for analysis and management.
3Reliability
If traditional interfaces require transition between analysis and action platforms, then comprehensive functionality is maintained, but seamless interaction is lost leading to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the analysis and action platforms into a single integrated interface. The same visual elements used for analyzing network traffic (Sankey diagrams, flow maps, node representations) are also the direct targets for management actions. This eliminates the transition between separate platforms and reduces errors caused by miscommunication between different interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing interactive visualizations of traffic characteristics within a network include determining, for one or more applications associated with a tenant of a cloud-based system, application information associated with each of the one or more applications; providing, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), an interactive visualization of the application information associated with each of the one or more applications; and responsive to one or more selections being made via the interactive visualization, enabling one or more cloud-based security functions based on the one or more selections.