Optical Network Path Display Grouping High-Speed Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current path management systems in optical transmission networks, which perform path management in units of subdivided apparatuses by disaggregation, result in complex and detailed path displays that reduce visibility and operability for operators, making it difficult to distinguish between connections within and between apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A path display apparatus and method that stores configuration information to identify high-speed ports and determine groups of optical network apparatuses, displaying symbols for each apparatus, connection relationships, and groups to improve visibility and operability, allowing for automatic or manual grouping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If path management is performed in units of subdivided apparatuses by disaggregation, then the network configuration becomes flexible and functional, but the path display becomes overly detailed and complicated, reducing visibility and operability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the path display into multiple hierarchical levels: individual apparatus symbols, apparatus groups (first groups determined by high-speed ports), and larger network groups (second groups determined by route apparatuses). This multi-level segmentation allows operators to view detailed disaggregated configurations when needed while maintaining the ability to overview the entire path at a higher level, thus resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If disaggregation is implemented to enable flexible network configuration, then functional components can be independently connected, but the number of apparatuses on the path increases and complicates path management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces group symbols as intermediary elements between individual apparatus symbols and the overall path structure. These groups act as mediators that aggregate multiple disaggregated apparatuses into manageable units. The display control unit presents both individual apparatus-level details and group-level summaries, allowing operators to manage complex disaggregated configurations without being overwhelmed by the sheer number of individual components, thus reducing perceived complexity while maintaining functional flexibility.
3Loss of information
If detailed path display in units of subdivided apparatuses is provided, then complete connection information is available, but it becomes difficult to distinguish between connections within and between apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different visual characteristics to different levels of the display hierarchy. Group symbols have distinct visual properties (such as different shapes, sizes, or grouping indicators) that differentiate them from individual apparatus symbols. Connection lines within groups are visually distinguished from connections between groups through different line styles, colors, or grouping boundaries. This local visual differentiation allows operators to immediately distinguish between internal and external connections while maintaining complete connection information, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and detection ease.
Data Source
AI summary
The operability of path management performed in units of apparatuses subdivided by disaggregation is improved.A path display apparatus 1 which displays a path configured for a plurality of optical network apparatuses subdivided by disaggregation includes a storage unit 10 that stores configuration information 11 indicating a section of each of the optical network apparatuses; a grouping unit 21 that identifies a high-speed port of a route apparatus (DIR: Direction) which is the optical network apparatus, and determines a first group to which optical network apparatuses divided by the identified high-speed port belong, based on the configuration information 11; and a display control unit 22 that displays, on a screen, a symbol of each of the optical network apparatuses, a symbol of the section, and a symbol of the first group.