Network orchestration platform

Project Overview

Project:

Network Virtualization and Orchestration Platform.

Objective:

To provide a centralized control system for network configuration from a single interface.

Context:

The platform includes a client feedback module and maintains continuous communication with key clients via sales representatives.

A significant number of issues were reported through these channels, prompting a thorough analysis.

My role:

Leading designer.

The problem

Reduce users dissatisfaction while designing network topology, making the task faster and easier.

Satisfaction of users and reduced number of tickets about this feature were determined to be a success measure for this project.

My process:

➜ Benchamrking

➜ Co-creation workshops with stakeholders

➜ User intervies , feedback gathering

➜ Design & iteration

➜ Usability Testing

➜ Implementing changes

Smaller-scale network creators managed with the existing tool but desired improvements.

Enterprise creators needed a more automated approach for integrating pre-created files.
Provide a solution for mapping out network topologies to streamline the network creation process.

Incorporate an automatic filling feature for enhanced efficiency.

Ideation and Research

Benchmarking and Co-Creation:

I benchmarked competitors to generate solution ideas.

I conducted co-creation workshops with engineers and developers to align ideas with technical feasibility.

Also, I have consulted with users and support in two sessions to gather feedback, which was integrated into the final design.

Key findings:

❌ The platform's architecture did not support a singular point for comprehensive network creation.

❌ Different network components (virtual networks, logical routers, firewalls, switches) were scattered across multiple sections and pages.

❌ Network creation is a lengthy, often interrupted process, leading to confusion and difficulty in tracking progress.

❌ Users often resorted to external tools to map network topologies.

Two distinct user groups emerged:

Creators of Smaller Scale Networks

Enterprise Network Creator

Final solution

A "Network Designer":

Topology View: Users can map out the entire network, add entities, set quantities, and assign connections.

Step-by-Step Setup: Each part of the network is set up sequentially based on the mapped path.

Manual and Semi-Automatic Options:
- Manual: Quick configuration for smaller-scale architectures.
- Semi-Automatic: For enterprise management, users can export the topology, edit the setup externally, and re-import it for automatic configuration.

The Network Designer simplifies the process, improves efficiency, and caters to the needs of both smaller-scale and enterprise network creators.