Sunburst Network Visualization for Compact Hierarchy Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tree structures for network visualization occupy large display space and become unreadable in large enterprise networks, obscuring network information and making navigation difficult due to their hierarchical nature.
Innovation Solution
A sunburst diagram is used to represent communication networks, where each ring segment represents a node in the hierarchy, allowing for a compact and interactive visualization that enables efficient navigation and highlights network issues through color coding and layering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional tree structure is used for network visualization, then the hierarchical network structure can be represented clearly, but the display space becomes too large and the diagram becomes unreadable in large enterprise networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional two-dimensional tree structure into a three-dimensional sunburst diagram with concentric rings representing different network hierarchy levels. This dimensional change allows the visualization to pack more information into a compact radial space, making large enterprise networks readable while maintaining hierarchical relationships. The concentric circular arrangement enables better space utilization compared to traditional linear tree structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sunburst diagram implements a nested structure where inner rings represent parent nodes and outer rings represent child nodes, creating a compact hierarchical visualization. This nesting approach allows multiple levels of network hierarchy to be displayed within a limited radial space, preventing the diagram from becoming too large while maintaining clear hierarchical relationships and information visibility.
2Ease of operation
If a tree structure is used to represent network hierarchy, then the hierarchical relationships are clear, but navigation becomes difficult and time-consuming in large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network visualization into multiple concentric rings, where each ring represents a specific hierarchy level. This segmentation allows users to quickly identify and navigate to specific network segments by focusing on particular rings, reducing the time needed to locate network issues compared to traversing a traditional tree structure. The radial arrangement also enables parallel exploration of multiple hierarchy levels simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sunburst diagram uses color coding to represent different network devices, statuses, or categories, enabling users to quickly identify and navigate to specific network elements based on color patterns. This visual encoding accelerates the navigation process by allowing users to scan for specific colors or patterns rather than systematically traversing the entire hierarchy, thereby reducing the time to locate network issues.
3Loss of information
If network devices are displayed in a detailed tree structure, then all network information is visible, but the diagram becomes complex and difficult to interpret in large enterprise networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes network information into a radial three-dimensional structure with concentric rings, transforming the traditional two-dimensional tree layout. This dimensional change allows comprehensive network information to be displayed in a more compact and less complex arrangement, reducing visual clutter and improving interpretability while maintaining information completeness through the hierarchical ring structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sunburst diagram applies different visual qualities and detail levels to different regions of the diagram. Inner rings can display summarized information while outer rings provide detailed device information, or vice versa, depending on the viewing context. This local quality differentiation allows the visualization to maintain information completeness without uniformly increasing complexity across the entire diagram, making large enterprise networks easier to interpret.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain implementations, a computer system includes one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing programming for execution by the one or more processors. The programming includes instructions to receive a request for a visualization of a communication network. The communication network includes network devices in a hierarchical arrangement that includes multiple hierarchical levels. The programming further includes instructions to access, in response to the request, network information for the network devices, and to generate, according to the network information, a network visualization of the communication network for display. The network visualization includes a center region and rings arranged in a concentric manner and extending radially from the center region. Each ring at least partially surrounds the center region and includes one or more ring segments that each represent a respective network device.