An interactive visualization framework for next generation networks

Next-Generation Internet applications demand inherent flexibility and programmability from the underlying network. OpenFlow-based substrate, as a potential solution, provides the required support to enable network innovations by separating the intelligent control plane from the datapath processing. Several visualization systems have been designed in the context of OpenFlow to facilitate network management. However, the fundamental drawback of these systems is the lack of generality. In this paper we propose ROVIZ, an interactive visualization framework for next generation networks. The contributions of our work consists of the following: i) compatible with any OpenFlow based networks, irrespective of the controller(s), ii) maintains real-time information about the entire network as well as individual devices, and iii) provides interactive menus for selective information retrieval improving bandwidth constraints.