Topology-Based GUI for Network Management Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network administrators face difficulties in understanding and managing complex network topologies due to the overwhelming amount of operational data, which can lead to inefficient troubleshooting and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A topology-based graphical user interface is implemented in a network management system that translates high-level configuration intents into device-level configurations, allowing for real-time monitoring and presentation of operational data in a unified, graphical format, enabling cross-correlation of network flow, device health, and alert data, and facilitating segmentation of network topologies for easier review.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a network controller collects and processes operational data from multiple managed devices, then comprehensive network monitoring capability is improved, but the complexity of the controller and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments operational data into distinct types (flow data, device health data, interface data, alert data) and presents them through separate interactive elements in the graphical user interface. This segmentation allows the controller to process and manage data systematically without overwhelming complexity, while still providing comprehensive monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface acts as an intermediary between the controller and network administrators. It translates complex raw operational data into visual representations and interactive elements, reducing the complexity burden on the controller while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Loss of information
If operational data is presented in traditional table format, then data completeness is maintained, but ease of analysis and understanding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms operational data from traditional two-dimensional table formats to multi-dimensional visual representations including topology-based graphical displays, heat maps, and interactive charts. This dimensional transformation maintains data completeness while dramatically improving ease of analysis and understanding through visual patterns and spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded representations in the graphical user interface to indicate different operational states, priorities, and data types. Color changes and variations provide immediate visual cues that enhance data analysis ease while maintaining complete information through interactive exploration.
3Measurement precision
If multiple separate interfaces are used for different operational data types, then data specialization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate interfaces for different operational data types into a single unified graphical user interface. This unified interface presents flow data, device health data, interface data, and alert data together in a coordinated manner, improving ease of operation while maintaining data specialization through organized interactive elements and filtering capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface is designed as a universal platform that handles multiple data types and operational requirements through a single interface. It provides multi-functional capabilities including data visualization, filtering, sorting, and interactive exploration, eliminating the need for multiple specialized interfaces while preserving data precision.
4Reliability
If real-time monitoring of all network devices is implemented, then network reliability is improved, but resource consumption by the controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data collection and presentation where the system adjusts monitoring intensity and data processing based on network conditions and user interactions. The graphical user interface enables selective exploration of data, allowing the controller to allocate resources dynamically rather than uniformly across all devices and data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where network devices autonomously report operational status and the graphical user interface enables administrators to self-filter and self-explain data requirements. This reduces unnecessary controller processing while maintaining reliable monitoring through event-driven updates and on-demand data retrieval.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, techniques are described by which to provide a topology-based graphical user interface for network management systems. A controller device comprising a processor and a memory may be configured to perform the techniques. The processor may monitor network devices arranged according to a network topology to obtain operational data, and obtain configuration data defining the network topology. The memory may store the operational data and the configuration data. The processor may analyze the configuration data and the operational data to provide a graphical representation of the network topology that graphically depicts the operational data, and present a single graphical user interface that presents the graphical representation of the network topology that graphically depicts the operational data.