Generic Network Visualization: Applications for NATO

1
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

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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.

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Generic Network Visualization Applications for
NATO
4
Objectives

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

5
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.

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NATO Needs on Network Analysis/Visualization

• Counterterrorism
• Knowledge Management
• Information Assurance
• Logistic Support Management
• Disease Management
• Infrastructure Security
• Correlation of interconnected networks
• etc.

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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.

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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.

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Visualisation Issues

• Human Factors
• Colors
• Temporal information
• Automation
• Cluttering
• Symbology
• etc.

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What do we need to see from the networks ?

• Generic network properties
• Variables of networks
• Intersection of disparate networks
• etc.

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Variables of networks

• Thresholds and changes
• Traffic
• Flow
• Path
• Routing
• Topology
• Symmetric/asymmetric
• Boundaries
• Layout
• Hierarchical
• Tree
• Topology evolution in time and space
• Logical/physical
• Redundancy
• Partially connected graph
• Protocols
• Networks interconnections
• Location
• Open/Closed

• Constraints
• Rules
• Nodes
• Location
• Node type
• Symbology
• Open/Closed
• Node ID
• Input/output property
• Links
• Capacity
• Weight
• Strength
• Direction
• Availability
• Type of traffic
• Location
• Route
• Identification (Unique)

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Important variables in Counterterrorism

• Thresholds and changes
• Traffic
• Flow
• Path
• Routing
• Topology
• Symmetric/asymmetric
• Boundaries
• Layout
• Hierarchical
• Tree
• Topology evolution in time and space
• Logical/physical
• Redundancy
• Partially connected graph
• Protocols
• Networks interconnections
• Location
• Open/Closed

• Constraints
• Rules
• Nodes
• Location
• Node type
• Symbology
• Open/Closed
• Node ID
• Input/output property
• Number/Type of Links
• Links
• Capacity
• Weight
• Strength
• Direction
• Availability
• Type of traffic
• Location
• Route

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Important variables in Information Assurance

• Thresholds and changes
• Traffic
• Flow
• Path
• Routing
• Topology
• Symmetric/asymmetric
• Boundaries
• Layout
• Hierarchical
• Tree
• Topology evolution in time and space
• Logical/physical
• Redundancy
• Partially connected graph
• Protocols
• Networks interconnections
• Location
• Open/Closed

• Constraints
• Rules
• Nodes
• Location
• Node type
• Symbology
• Open/Closed
• Node ID
• Input/output property
• Number/Type of Links
• Links
• Capacity
• Weight
• Strength
• Direction
• Availability
• Type of traffic
• Location
• Route

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Important variables inLogistic Support
Management

• Thresholds and changes
• Traffic
• Flow
• Path
• Routing
• Topology
• Symmetric/asymmetric
• Boundaries
• Layout
• Hierarchical
• Tree
• Topology evolution in time and space
• Logical/physical
• Redundancy
• Partially connected graph
• Protocols
• Networks interconnections
• Location
• Open/Closed

• Constraints
• Rules
• Nodes
• Location
• Node type
• Symbology
• Open/Closed
• Node ID
• Input/output property
• Number/Type of Links
• Links
• Capacity
• Weight
• Strength
• Direction
• Availability
• Type of traffic
• Location
• Route

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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!

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What do we have to know about

• the nodes?
• Is there a transfer point (Can you load/unload
  cargo?
• Can you change directions?
• What is the dwell time?
• the links?
• What is the capacity? (What and how much can you
  carry?)
• Is it going two/one way?
• How long is the link (in terms of time and
  distance)?
• What kind of traffic can it take?
• Is it available?
• the carriers?
• What is the capacity?
• Is it available?

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Example Transportation network for deploying a
NATO force

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

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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.