Port Assignment Reference Visuals for Network Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Complex port assignment lists for computing devices are difficult to understand, especially in low-light environments or 'dark' sites without external network connections, due to varied formats and lack of visual aids.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating a port assignment reference that includes a device illustration with labeled ports, providing traffic information and color-coding to indicate port types, which can be created and edited using a computing device to produce a standardized, electronic file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional port assignment lists are used, then information can be provided, but understanding becomes difficult due to varied formats and lack of visual aids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional text-based port assignment lists to a three-dimensional visual representation that maps ports spatially according to their physical locations on network devices. This dimensional transformation allows technicians to visually correlate logical port assignments with physical port positions, significantly improving comprehension while retaining complete port assignment information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coding to represent different types of network traffic (e.g., storage, data, management traffic) associated with various ports. This visual encoding system allows technicians to quickly identify port functions and traffic types without reading detailed text descriptions, enhancing ease of understanding while preserving comprehensive port assignment data.
2Loss of information
If detailed documentation is provided, then complete port assignment information is available, but reading and understanding becomes difficult in low-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators that can be easily perceived in low-light conditions. The color representation of traffic types and port statuses provides high-contrast visual information that remains distinguishable in data center lighting environments, allowing technicians to read and understand port assignments without requiring bright illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
By transforming text-based information into visual spatial representations with color encoding, the patent creates a documentation format that conveys complete port assignment details through visual patterns rather than text density, making it readable in low-light data center environments.
3Ease of operation
If paper documentation is used in dark sites, then accessibility is improved, but updating and managing port assignment references becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates printable visual port assignment references from electronic data models. These printed copies can be distributed to dark sites for accessibility, while the master electronic version remains centrally managed and easily updateable. Any changes to port assignments are automatically reflected in regenerated printed references, eliminating the complexity of manually updating paper documentation across multiple locations.
4Ease of operation
If standardized visual references are created, then understanding and management are facilitated, but initial creation requires computational resources and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates standardized visual port assignment references during initial device provisioning or configuration events. By creating these visual references upfront when port assignments are first established, the system avoids the need for repeated generation and updating operations, thereby reducing overall computational energy consumption while facilitating ease of management from the outset.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure involve an apparatus, device, component, and/or method for management of port assignments of networking devices connected to a network and reference materials associated with the port assignments. In one embodiment, a reference material is provided that illustrates the port assignments for one or more networking devices. The reference material may include a full-color illustration of the network device and a port label near each communication port of the network device. The port label may include a description of the port, a port reference number, and a color-coded reference that provides a quick indication of the type of traffic associated with the port. In addition, one embodiment of the present disclosure may automatically populate the reference material based on information obtained from a network administrator or from the network itself.