Network Device Port VLAN Configuration GUI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VLAN configuration methods for network devices are cumbersome, requiring a text-based approach where settings are scattered across multiple pages, making it difficult and time-consuming to create and modify port configurations.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) that centralizes all relevant information and settings on a single page, allowing users to visualize and manage network device ports, VLANs, and configurations interactively, with options to create, edit, and assign VLANs, and switch between configuration methods without reloading the GUI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a text-based configuration approach is used, then configuration precision is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to scattered settings across multiple pages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple configuration pages into a single unified graphical interface that displays all VLAN configuration settings, port assignments, and VLAN details in one view. This consolidation eliminates the need to navigate across multiple pages while maintaining comprehensive configuration capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear text-based configuration approach to a multi-dimensional graphical interface that organizes configuration elements spatially. The GUI presents VLANs, ports, and settings in a structured visual layout with hierarchical relationships, allowing users to comprehend and manipulate complex configurations through spatial organization rather than sequential text navigation.
2Productivity
If VLAN configuration settings are distributed across multiple pages, then information organization is maintained, but loss of time increases due to navigation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all VLAN configuration functionality into a single graphical page that provides simultaneous access to VLAN creation, port assignment, VLAN details, and modification operations. This eliminates the time required to navigate between multiple pages while maintaining comprehensive configuration capabilities, directly improving productivity by reducing time loss.
3Ease of operation
If a graphical user interface is implemented, then ease of operation improves through visualization, but device complexity increases due to additional interface components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a graphical user interface that transforms abstract configuration data into visual representations. The GUI displays VLANs as graphical elements with associated ports, allowing users to visualize network topology and configuration relationships. This dimensional transformation from text to graphics enhances ease of operation by providing intuitive visual feedback while managing interface complexity through structured layout.
4Productivity
If port configurations are selected one at a time, then configuration precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to sequential selection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multi-port selection through graphical interface elements that allow users to select multiple ports simultaneously using standard UI interactions such as click-and-drag or checkbox selection. This multi-dimensional selection capability maintains configuration precision by allowing deliberate port selection while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating sequential selection requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing VLAN configurations on a network device includes connecting, by a client, to the network device. The method then includes presenting, by the client, a graphical user interface of the network device to a user of the client. The graphical user interface comprises a first area displaying a plurality of ports of the network device and a second area displaying a configuration interface. The configuration interface enables the user to make a VLAN assignment for each of the plurality of ports. Both the first area and the second area are displayed on one page in the graphical user interface. The method then includes accepting, through the graphical user interface, user instructions for making the VLAN assignment. The method then includes transmitting, by the client, a signal to the network device, the signal encoding the user instructions and enabling the network device to make the VLAN assignment.