Date of Award

3-5-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Stuart Kurkowski, PhD

Abstract

Most network visualization suites do not interact with a simulator, as it executes. Nor do they provide an effective user interface that includes multiple visualization functions. The subject of this research is to improve the network visualization presented in the previous research [5] adding these capabilities to the framework. The previous network visualization did not have the capability of altering specific visualization characteristics, especially when detailed observations needed to be made for a small part of a large network. Searching for a network event in this topology might cause large delays leading to lower quality user interface. In addition to shortfalls in handling complex network events, [5] did not provide dynamic user interactions since it did not have real-time interaction with a simulator. These shortfalls motivate the development of a new network visualization framework design that provides a more robust user interface, network observation tools and an interaction with the simulator. Our research presents the design, development and implementation of this new network visualization framework to enhance network scenarios and provide interaction with NS-2, as it executes. From the interface design perspective, this research presents a prototype design to ease the implementation process of the framework. The visualization functions such as clustering, filtering, labeling and color coding help accessing network objects and events, supporting four tabs consisting of buttons, menus, and sliders. The new network visualization framework design gives the ability to handle the inherent complexity of large networks, allowing the user to interact with the current display of the framework, alter visualization parameters and control the network through the visualization. In our application, multiple visualizations are linked to NS-2 to build execution scenarios which let to test clustering, filtering, labeling functionalities on separate visualization screens, as NS-2 progresses.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GE-ENG-09-50

DTIC Accession Number

ADA499321

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