Overlay Network Visualization for Underlay Path Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network infrastructure, which combines physical and virtual networks, makes it difficult for administrators to track down network issues due to the complexity of visualizing packet paths, with existing command line tools being hard to comprehend.
Innovation Solution
Collecting and correlating underlay flow data and overlay flow data to provide insights into network operation and performance, enabling visualization of data paths through the underlay network infrastructure, thus facilitating efficient troubleshooting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If command line tools are used to reveal packet routes, then routing information can be obtained, but the tools are difficult to comprehend and visualize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an overlay network as an intermediary layer that sits between the physical network and the management plane. This overlay network translates complex physical network paths into simplified virtual network paths, making it easier for administrators to comprehend and visualize packet routes without losing underlying path information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the network topology through overlay networks. Instead of directly visualizing the complex physical network structure, administrators can view a simplified virtual representation that copies essential routing information in a more comprehensible format while maintaining accuracy of the underlying paths.
2Ease of operation
If the physical network structure is simplified, then ease of operation improves, but visibility into the actual data flow path through physical devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to network visualization by introducing overlay networks that operate at a virtual layer above the physical network. This dimensional addition allows simultaneous viewing of both simplified virtual paths and detailed physical paths, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and visibility by operating in multiple layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where overlay networks are embedded within the physical network infrastructure. The virtual network paths are nested within the physical network layers, allowing administrators to access simplified views at the overlay level while being able to drill down to see detailed physical device paths when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques that include receiving underlay flow data from a network having an underlay network and one or more overlay network, storing information identifying, for each underlay data flow, an overlay network, displaying, within a display, a topological map of at least a portion of the underlay network, highlighting a data path through the displayed topological map, the highlighted data path extending through the underlay network from the underlay network source of the respective underlay data flow to the underlay network destination of the respective underlay data flow; receiving a request for metrics associated with the highlighted data path, wherein receiving a request includes receiving, via a graphical user interface, an indication selecting at least a portion of the highlighted data path; and displaying, proximate to the highlighted data path, metrics associated with data traffic through the selected portion of the highlighted data path.