Generic Network Generic Network Visualization: Visualization:

Applications for NATOApplications for NATOIST-043/RWS-006: WG5IST-043/RWS-006: WG5

Luc BeaudoinLuc BeaudoinDr. Jan BjoerkeDr. Jan BjoerkeAlain BouchardAlain Bouchard

Capt Stephen BoyneCapt Stephen BoyneZack JacobsonZack JacobsonAnnette KasterAnnette KasterDr. Bob TruongDr. Bob Truong

Capt José VeríssimoCapt José Veríssimo

Generic Network Generic Network Visualization: Applications Visualization: Applications

for NATOfor NATO

This working group was focused at This working group was focused at developing a taxonomy and framework developing a taxonomy and framework of generic network properties which are of generic network properties which are required for the display on a Common required for the display on a Common

Operational Picture and decision Operational Picture and decision support.support.

Generic Network Generic Network Visualization: Applications Visualization: Applications

for NATOfor NATO

ObjectivesObjectives

Development of a network Development of a network visualisation framework to be used visualisation framework to be used by NATOby NATO

Development of a common language Development of a common language to describe networks and to enable to describe networks and to enable interoperabilityinteroperability

DefinitionDefinition

A Network is an array of A Network is an array of nodesnodes and and linkslinks that exchange “stuff” that exchange “stuff” on on carrierscarriers under a certain under a certain protocolprotocol and following a and following a determined determined path path generating a generating a certain amount ofcertain amount of traffic. traffic.

NATO Needs on Network NATO Needs on Network Analysis/VisualizationAnalysis/Visualization

CounterterrorismCounterterrorism

Knowledge ManagementKnowledge Management

Information AssuranceInformation Assurance

Logistic Support ManagementLogistic Support Management

Disease ManagementDisease Management

Infrastructure SecurityInfrastructure Security

Correlation of interconnected networksCorrelation of interconnected networks

etc.etc.

Links between nodes of Links between nodes of same networkssame networks

Within a network, links between the nodes Within a network, links between the nodes have a crucial role to play in the network have a crucial role to play in the network

characteristics. characteristics.

Changes, such as a new link between two Changes, such as a new link between two nodes, can have drastic impact on the nodes, can have drastic impact on the

network.network.

Links between nodes of Links between nodes of different networksdifferent networks

Connecting two networks together can largely Connecting two networks together can largely influence the capacity of each network. influence the capacity of each network.

As an example, a link between two different As an example, a link between two different networks related to terrorists and their activities networks related to terrorists and their activities

can drastically improve the ability of the can drastically improve the ability of the authorities to forecast/understand threats...authorities to forecast/understand threats...

The potential is dependant on traffic characteristics The potential is dependant on traffic characteristics and network information semantic structure.and network information semantic structure.

Visualisation IssuesVisualisation Issues

Human FactorsHuman FactorsColorsColorsTemporal informationTemporal informationAutomationAutomationClutteringClutteringSymbologySymbologyetc.etc.

What do we need to see What do we need to see from the networks ?from the networks ?

Generic network propertiesGeneric network properties

Variables of networksVariables of networks

Intersection of disparate networksIntersection of disparate networks

etc.etc.

Variables of networksVariables of networksConstraintsConstraints

RulesRulesNodesNodes

LocationLocation Node typeNode type SymbologySymbology Open/ClosedOpen/Closed Node IDNode ID Input/output propertyInput/output property

LinksLinks CapacityCapacity WeightWeight StrengthStrength DirectionDirection AvailabilityAvailability Type of trafficType of traffic LocationLocation RouteRoute Identification (Unique)Identification (Unique) The mediumThe medium

Thresholds and changesThresholds and changesTrafficTraffic

FlowFlow Path Path RoutingRouting

TopologyTopology Symmetric/asymmetricSymmetric/asymmetric BoundariesBoundaries LayoutLayout HierarchicalHierarchical TreeTree Topology evolution in time and Topology evolution in time and

spacespaceLogical/physicalLogical/physicalRedundancyRedundancyPartially connected graphPartially connected graphProtocolsProtocolsNetworks interconnections Networks interconnections LocationLocationOpen/ClosedOpen/ClosedLayersLayersHierarchyHierarchy

Important variables in:Important variables in: CounterterrorismCounterterrorism

ConstraintsConstraints RulesRules

NodesNodes LocationLocation Node typeNode type SymbologySymbology Open/ClosedOpen/Closed Node IDNode ID Input/output propertyInput/output property Number/Type of LinksNumber/Type of Links

LinksLinks CapacityCapacity WeightWeight StrengthStrength DirectionDirection AvailabilityAvailability Type of trafficType of traffic LocationLocation RouteRoute Identification (Unique)Identification (Unique) The mediumThe medium

Thresholds and changesThresholds and changesTrafficTraffic

FlowFlow PathPath RoutingRouting

TopologyTopology Symmetric/asymmetricSymmetric/asymmetric BoundariesBoundaries LayoutLayout HierarchicalHierarchical TreeTree Topology evolution in time and Topology evolution in time and

spacespaceLogical/physicalLogical/physicalRedundancyRedundancyPartially connected graphPartially connected graphProtocolsProtocolsNetworks interconnections Networks interconnections LocationLocationOpen/ClosedOpen/ClosedLayersLayersHierarchyHierarchy

Important variables in:Important variables in: Information AssuranceInformation Assurance

ConstraintsConstraints RulesRules

NodesNodes LocationLocation Node typeNode type SymbologySymbology Open/ClosedOpen/Closed Node IDNode ID Input/output propertyInput/output property Number/Type of LinksNumber/Type of Links

LinksLinks CapacityCapacity WeightWeight StrengthStrength DirectionDirection AvailabilityAvailability Type of trafficType of traffic LocationLocation RouteRoute Identification (Unique)Identification (Unique) The mediumThe medium

Thresholds and changesThresholds and changesTrafficTraffic

FlowFlow Path Path RoutingRouting

TopologyTopology Symmetric/asymmetricSymmetric/asymmetric BoundariesBoundaries LayoutLayout HierarchicalHierarchical TreeTree Topology evolution in time and Topology evolution in time and

spacespaceLogical/physicalLogical/physicalRedundancyRedundancyPartially connected graphPartially connected graphProtocolsProtocolsNetworks interconnectionsNetworks interconnections LocationLocationOpen/ClosedOpen/ClosedLayersLayersHierarchyHierarchy

Important variables in:Important variables in:Logistic Support Logistic Support

ManagementManagementConstraintsConstraints

RulesRulesNodesNodes

LocationLocation Node typeNode type SymbologySymbology Open/ClosedOpen/Closed Node IDNode ID Input/output propertyInput/output property Number/Type of LinksNumber/Type of Links

LinksLinks CapacityCapacity WeightWeight StrengthStrength DirectionDirection AvailabilityAvailability Type of trafficType of traffic LocationLocation RouteRoute Identification (Unique)Identification (Unique) The mediumThe medium

Thresholds and changesThresholds and changesTrafficTraffic

FlowFlow Path Path RoutingRouting

TopologyTopology Symmetric/asymmetricSymmetric/asymmetric BoundariesBoundaries LayoutLayout HierarchicalHierarchical TreeTree Topology evolution in time and Topology evolution in time and

spacespaceLogical/physicalLogical/physicalRedundancyRedundancyPartially connected graphPartially connected graphProtocolsProtocolsNetworks interconnectionsNetworks interconnections LocationLocationOpen/ClosedOpen/ClosedLayersLayersHierarchyHierarchy

How do create a network?How do create a network?

Example: Transportation network for Example: Transportation network for deploying a NATO forcedeploying a NATO force

What are the important properties to be What are the important properties to be visualised?visualised?

Gradual decomposition of the network!Gradual decomposition of the network!

What do we have to know What do we have to know about …about …

… … the the nodes?nodes? Is there a transfer point (Can you load/unload cargo?Is there a transfer point (Can you load/unload cargo? Can you change directions?Can you change directions? What is the dwell time?What is the dwell time?

… … the the links?links? What is the capacity? (What and how much can you carry?)What is the capacity? (What and how much can you carry?) Is it going two/one way?Is it going two/one way? How long is the link (in terms of time and distance)?How long is the link (in terms of time and distance)? What kind of traffic can it take?What kind of traffic can it take? Is it available?Is it available?

… … the the carriers?carriers? What is the capacity?What is the capacity? Is it available?Is it available?

Example: Transportation Example: Transportation network for deploying a NATO network for deploying a NATO

forceforceStart:Start:

Then gradually decompose by asking the Then gradually decompose by asking the aforementioned questions?aforementioned questions?

TorontoSarajevo

Nodes: Cities, harbours, airports, …Links: Roads, Sea, Air, …

Carriers: Trucks, ships, planes, …

ConclusionsConclusions

Network analysis/visualization is task Network analysis/visualization is task orientedoriented

The same generic framework can be used The same generic framework can be used for most types of networksfor most types of networks

The most critical issue is to set the correct The most critical issue is to set the correct thresholdsthresholds

Network Analysis can be focused on Network Analysis can be focused on nodes, links, etc.nodes, links, etc.