ViewNet : A Visualization Tool for Software Defined Networks

Abstract

In this paper, I describe the process of building ViewNet - A Visualization Tool for Software Defined Networks. I explain my design process, from conception to execution. The paper begins by giving a brief introduction to the field of Software Defined Networking and the motivation behind this project. It then explains the design problems I confronted and the way I divided the problems into a systemic level, conceptual design, and a functionality level, detail-oriented design of the program. It then explains each of these designs in detail. Each section begins by detailing the choices I made and the tradeoffs accompanied by each choice. I end each section by detailing the final decision made. The section on lower level design also looks at the user research I conducted to help determine the functionality of the program, and details the feedback I received and how it aided the choices I made. It then details the functionality of the program. The paper concludes by detailing the final system as it now stands, the challenges it faces and potential future iterations.