Cisco Network Assurance Engine
Overview
Problem
As founding designers, our mandate was to transform a collection
of engineered milestone features into a user-centric product
tailored for data center operators. The essence of the product
lies in its utilization of mathematical models to forecast the
potential impact of planned network changes before implementation.
We were tasked with a directive akin to finding a needle in a
haystack, as the network landscape is rife with potential
pitfalls. Our challenge was to devise methods to assist users in
filtering out extraneous data noise swiftly and effortlessly,
enabling them to pinpoint and address network issues with
precision and efficiency.
Solutions
Our UX solution for the Cisco Network Assurance Engine
incorporates innovative features to enhance user experience. We've
introduced a patented navigation system based on time epochs,
allowing users to seamlessly traverse different states of their
fabric at any given time. Additionally, we've implemented various
visualizations to enable users to slice data in multiple ways,
facilitating efficient troubleshooting and providing actionable
recommendations to resolve errors.
Discovery
The UX team engaged in extensive collaboration with key
stakeholders, including Cisco IT personnel, technical marketing
engineers, product managers, and hardware board members. Through
in-depth discussions and workshops, we sought to gain a
comprehensive understanding of the operators' needs and pain
points. This involved identifying essential features required
for effective network management, determining optimal data
presentation formats, and exploring the typical troubleshooting
methodologies employed by operators in real-world scenarios. By
delving into these details, we aimed to ensure that our product
design aligned closely with the operational requirements and
workflows of our target user base.
Data Collection
Capture network-wide device state and configurations,
controller policy, and operator intent.
Comprehensive network modeling
Build mathematically accurate representations of network
behavior spanning underlay, overlay, and virtualization
layers.
Intelligent analysis
Continuously run thousands of knowledge-based error checks to
generate SmartEvents that pinpoint deviations from intent and
suggest remediation steps.
Design
Our initial focus was on refining the user experience
surrounding temporal navigation, enabling users to seamlessly
traverse different time periods to compare the state of their
data center. This included determining intuitive indicators to
highlight significant issues within the fabric at specific
points in time. Additionally, we addressed the challenge of
optimizing the main dashboard display, ensuring that users could
efficiently assess the overall state of the network at a glance,
while also providing the ability to swiftly drill down into
specific issues as they arise.
Design
We successfully depicted the interconnections among objects and
their communication partners. Users can efficiently identify any
communication violations and assess their severity. By delving
deeper into specific communication channels, operators can gain
insight into the intricacies of these relationships. This
includes visualizing the connections between consumers and
providers, along with their associated contracts and policies,
enabling operators to effectively manage security protocols and
ensure compliance and intent.
Design
To facilitate comprehensive data analysis, our platform offers
users the capability to delve deeper by employing
sophisticated filtering mechanisms based on related object
relationships. This functionality enables users to refine
their data queries, focusing specifically on interconnected
elements that are pertinent to their analysis. By leveraging
this feature, operators can effectively dissect vast datasets,
gaining deeper insights into the intricate relationships
between various network components. This enhanced level of
granularity empowers users to extract valuable intelligence
from the data, facilitating informed decision-making and
targeted actions to address network challenges.
Design
In our endeavor to enhance user experience, we have meticulously crafted simplified end-to-end workflows to streamline complex processes. Specifically focusing on object management, we have devised intuitive methods for users to effortlessly create various objects known as “selectors”. These selectors can then be conveniently reused to construct compliance rules tailored to the specific policies envisioned by the operator. By simplifying these intricate tasks, we empower operators to efficiently navigate compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to organizational policies and regulatory standards. This approach not only fosters operational efficiency but also promotes consistency and accuracy in policy enforcement across the network infrastructure.
