Generic Network Visualization: Applications for NATO IST-043/RWS-006: WG5 Luc Beaudoin Dr. Jan Bjoerke Alain Bouchard Capt Stephen Boyne Zack Jacobson Annette Kaster Dr. Bob Truong Capt José Veríssimo

Generic Network Visualization: Applications for NATO This working group was focused at developing a taxonomy and framework of generic network properties which are required for the display on a Common Operational Picture and decision support.

Generic Network Visualization: Applications for NATO

Objectives Development of a network visualisation framework to be used by NATO Development of a common language to describe networks and to enable interoperability

Definition A Network is an array of nodes and links that exchange stuff on carriers under a certain protocol and following a determined path generating a certain amount of traffic.

NATO Needs on Network Analysis/Visualization Counterterrorism Knowledge Management Information Assurance Logistic Support Management Disease Management Infrastructure Security Correlation of interconnected networks etc.

Links between nodes of same networks Within a network, links between the nodes have a crucial role to play in the network characteristics. Changes, such as a new link between two nodes, can have drastic impact on the network.

Links between nodes of different networks Connecting two networks together can largely influence the capacity of each network. As an example, a link between two different networks related to terrorists and their activities can drastically improve the ability of the authorities to forecast/understand threats... The potential is dependant on traffic characteristics and network information semantic structure.

Visualisation Issues Human Factors Colors Temporal information AutomationClutteringSymbologyetc.

What do we need to see from the networks ? Generic network properties Variables of networks Intersection of disparate networks etc.

Variables of networks Constraints Rules RulesNodes Location Location Node type Node type Symbology Symbology Open/Closed Open/Closed Node ID Node ID Input/output property Input/output propertyLinks Capacity Capacity Weight Weight Strength Strength Direction Direction Availability Availability Type of traffic Type of traffic Location Location Route Route Identification (Unique) Identification (Unique) The medium The medium Thresholds and changes Traffic Flow Path RoutingTopology Symmetric/asymmetric Boundaries Layout Hierarchical Tree Topology evolution in time and spaceLogical/physicalRedundancy Partially connected graph Protocols Networks interconnections LocationOpen/ClosedLayersHierarchy

Important variables in: Counterterrorism Constraints Rules RulesNodes Location Location Node type Node type Symbology Symbology Open/Closed Open/Closed Node ID Node ID Input/output property Input/output property Number/Type of Links Number/Type of LinksLinks Capacity Capacity Weight Weight Strength Strength Direction Direction Availability Availability Type of traffic Type of traffic Location Location Route Route Identification (Unique) Identification (Unique) The medium The medium Thresholds and changes Traffic Flow Path RoutingTopology Symmetric/asymmetric Boundaries Layout Hierarchical Tree Topology evolution in time and spaceLogical/physicalRedundancy Partially connected graph Protocols Networks interconnections LocationOpen/ClosedLayersHierarchy

Important variables in: Information Assurance Constraints Rules RulesNodes Location Location Node type Node type Symbology Symbology Open/Closed Open/Closed Node ID Node ID Input/output property Input/output property Number/Type of Links Number/Type of LinksLinks Capacity Capacity Weight Weight Strength Strength Direction Direction Availability Availability Type of traffic Type of traffic Location Location Route Route Identification (Unique) Identification (Unique) The medium The medium Thresholds and changes Traffic Flow Path RoutingTopology Symmetric/asymmetric Boundaries Layout Hierarchical Tree Topology evolution in time and spaceLogical/physicalRedundancy Partially connected graph Protocols Networks interconnections LocationOpen/ClosedLayersHierarchy

Important variables in: Logistic Support Management Constraints Rules RulesNodes Location Location Node type Node type Symbology Symbology Open/Closed Open/Closed Node ID Node ID Input/output property Input/output property Number/Type of Links Number/Type of LinksLinks Capacity Capacity Weight Weight Strength Strength Direction Direction Availability Availability Type of traffic Type of traffic Location Location Route Route Identification (Unique) Identification (Unique) The medium The medium Thresholds and changes Traffic Flow Path RoutingTopology Symmetric/asymmetric Boundaries Layout Hierarchical Tree Topology evolution in time and spaceLogical/physicalRedundancy Partially connected graph Protocols Networks interconnections LocationOpen/ClosedLayersHierarchy

How do create a network? Example: Transportation network for deploying a NATO force What are the important properties to be visualised? Gradual decomposition of the network!

What do we have to know about … … the 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 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 carriers? What is the capacity? What is the capacity? Is it available? Is it available?

Example: Transportation network for deploying a NATO force Start: Then gradually decompose by asking the aforementioned questions? Toronto Sarajevo Nodes: Cities, harbours, airports, … Links: Roads, Sea, Air, … Carriers: Trucks, ships, planes, …

Conclusions Network analysis/visualization is task oriented The same generic framework can be used for most types of networks The most critical issue is to set the correct thresholds Network Analysis can be focused on nodes, links, etc.