Three-Column Network Management UI for Intuitive Connection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network management user interfaces lack user-friendly features for creating, modifying, or ending connections, and fail to depict important network information, leading to inefficient network management.
Innovation Solution
A three-column graphical user interface is developed to visualize client and cloud networks, allowing for intuitive management of network connections, including the ability to create VPN tunnels, reassign devices, and modify network parameters, with visual indicators for connection status and network policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional user interfaces are used to depict network topologies, then the interface structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of intuitive access for creating, modifying, or ending connections
Solution Approach 1:
The network management interface is segmented into distinct functional columns (network devices column, connections column, cloud services column) that can be independently interacted with. This segmentation allows users to focus on specific tasks (creating connections, modifying networks, monitoring status) without being overwhelmed by the entire system, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional flat or hierarchical network diagrams to a multi-dimensional column-based layout where network devices, connections, and cloud services are displayed in separate vertical columns. This dimensional reorganization provides intuitive spatial relationships that make it easier to understand and manipulate network topology, directly addressing the ease of operation concern.
2Productivity
If conventional user interfaces are used for network management, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to inability to efficiently manage network connections and access important information
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface is designed as a universal platform that integrates multiple network management functions including creating connections, modifying networks, monitoring status, and accessing detailed information all within a single unified interface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate tools or complex navigation, significantly improving productivity while the standardized interface design keeps the system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual agents as intermediary components that automatically monitor network devices, detect issues, and provide recommendations. These intermediaries handle complex monitoring and analysis tasks, allowing the user interface to remain relatively simple while dramatically improving productivity through automated network management capabilities.
3Loss of information
If conventional user interfaces are used, then the interface structure is simple, but the loss of information increases due to failure to depict important network information relevant to users
Solution Approach 1:
The interface applies local quality by displaying different types of information in contextually appropriate locations: network device details in the first column, connection status and metrics in the second column, and cloud service information in the third column. This localized information presentation ensures that users see the most relevant information in each area without overwhelming the entire interface, reducing information loss while maintaining manageable complexity through selective information display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring network device status, connection health, and performance metrics, then displaying this information in real-time on the interface. Virtual agents provide feedback about detected issues and recommended actions, ensuring users have access to current network information without requiring complex manual queries, thereby reducing information loss while keeping the interface relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for generating an intuitive network management user interface (UI). A method includes: receiving network information of at least one client network and at least one cloud network, wherein the network information includes a network identifier of each device within a given network, a status of the given network, network policies associated with the given network; determining a plurality of connections between the at least one client network and the at least one cloud network based on the network information; generating, for display, the network management UI including a three-column graphical structure wherein a first column includes first visualized information of the at least one client network, a second column includes second visualized information of the plurality of connections, and a third column includes third visualized information of the at least one cloud network.