Without real-time monitoring, early signs of network issues or security threats often go unnoticed.
Real Time Monitoring
Problem Definition & Objective
The UMass network infrastructure, spanning campuses like Amherst, Boston, and Lowell, is intricate and challenging to monitor in real-time. The objective of "Campus Connect" is to empower UMass administrators, streamlining operations and reducing cognitive load, ensuring seamless communication and information flow. Currently, tools don't offer a straightforward interface with geographic underlay, and operators are inundated with extraneous information. This tool meets all user requirements and introduces a unique, simplified UI not found in prior market research.
Functional Needs Based on Research
Visualize University Networks
Real-time network mapping is essential due to the dynamic nature of nodes and the multiple levels of subnets.
Monitor University Network Infrastructure
This includes tracking data transfers, monitoring bandwidth usage, and spotting unusual activity.
Monitor System Performance
Keeping an eye on the health of servers, routers, and other devices is crucial.
Monitor Network Security
With academic institutions often targeted for cyber-attacks, security monitoring is paramount.
Monitor User Behavior
Understanding user interaction with the network helps in identifying any inappropriate or malicious behavior.
Monitor Historical Trends
Historical data plays a pivotal role in understanding network activity, performance, and user behavior, especially during peak periods.
Key Features & Solutions
Navigating University Bandwidth Constraints
In the video below, we demonstrate a global administrator's user flow during the start of the Fall semester. With a record influx of new students, the bandwidth strain wasn't anticipated, pushing the campus bandwidth close to its limits.
On login, the admin receives an immediate alert, spotlighting the Amherst campus. Clicking the alert, they're directed to a detailed view of the Amherst campus's Main Data Center/Core Router. This view showcases the router's alert status, current metrics, and historical data, with a timeline underscoring past alerts.
With these insights, the global admin promptly coordinates with the ISP to adjust Amherst's bandwidth, ensuring consistent connectivity for all.
Identifying Suspicious Activity
In the video below, we explore the IT department's user flow, a team frequently managing network alerts, outages, and occasional malicious activities. Their go-to is the Alert Center, a hub for all network issues. During a routine check, an alert flags potential Crypto mining, a threat to network integrity.
On alert, IT can swiftly access the suspicious device's details, including its IP, MAC addresses, and physical location. A click takes them to a campus map, highlighting the device's exact location. This map, streamlined for clarity, represents each building by its primary node, with icons for additional nodes.
In this scenario, the affected building's icon is red-alerted. Zooming in, the user sees the building's network, pinpointing the suspicious device's connection. With this data, IT can verify the threat, and if confirmed, disconnect the device and alert the owner.
Reflections & Lessons Learned
The journey of designing "Campus Connect" is one that has been both challenging and rewarding. Having to conform to tight constraints pushed me to reach new levels of creativity and resourcefulness. This ultimately helped me transform challenges into innovative solutions and showcase the power of adaptability in design.
While the project benefited immensely from diverse and indirect research methods, the value of direct user input cannot be understated.
Future Improvements
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Direct User Feedback:
While indirect research provided a foundation, direct interactions with users would offer nuanced insights, refining the tool's usability and functionality.
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Iterative Testing:
Introducing regular user testing sessions, even if they're small-scale or remote, can help in identifying pain points and areas of enhancement.
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Integration with Emerging Technologies:
As technology evolves, there's potential to integrate newer solutions, such as AI-driven predictive analytics, to anticipate network issues before they arise.
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Customization Features:
Given the diverse needs of network operators, allowing users to customize dashboards or alerts based on their specific requirements could be a valuable addition.