Mike R.
asked on
How to generate a dynamically drawn, web based, infrastructure network map image(s) from info in a database or file.
Ok…I have a pretty ambitious project for a systems admin, and I am going to need some help. I realize this is not the appropriate place for step-by-step assistance, but if I could get some general direction I can do the research into the specifics.
Basically, I am a network admin. I would like to set up a web page which shows a variation(s) of the standardized visual representation of the network. I.E. The big picture with a bunch of little computer icons on it, and all the little computers are connected to each other with dotted lines which are labeled with the appropriate IP addresses…basically, the web’s version of the big infrastructure wall map you might see on any medium to large IT department.
OK…here are the two VERY ambitious parts…
1. (Not too terribly optimistic) The map itself would need to scroll around, and zoom in and out, so you could see the whole thing…or just sections of it at one glance (basically like you could if it were a big picture in Photoshop…dragging it around and zooming in and out as necessary.)
2. (VERY optimistic) I would like to be able to have the connecting lines drawn dynamically based on specified criteria. I.E. If you want to see the actual network connections, click the “network” button and the lines show you what machines are attached to whom and are labeled with the IP addresses.
OR, you click the “mounts” button, and the lines re-draw themselves to show that “MachineA:/mnt” dir has a mount to “MachineB:/export/home/tem
I was thinking some of the ways this could be done would be …
1. An .asp or .jsp page with an SQL database.
2. flash using masks and an SQL(or whatever?) type of database.
3. Some form of RTAP or WonderWare database.
4. Some other piece of web software better suited to this task that I don’t know about because I am an admin and not a web designer :-)
OK Guys…hit me with your great advice! I have SOME experience with all the above (.asp, .jsp, SQL web, RTAP, Flash) but feel free to assume I am an idiot :-)
M
Basically, I am a network admin. I would like to set up a web page which shows a variation(s) of the standardized visual representation of the network. I.E. The big picture with a bunch of little computer icons on it, and all the little computers are connected to each other with dotted lines which are labeled with the appropriate IP addresses…basically, the web’s version of the big infrastructure wall map you might see on any medium to large IT department.
OK…here are the two VERY ambitious parts…
1. (Not too terribly optimistic) The map itself would need to scroll around, and zoom in and out, so you could see the whole thing…or just sections of it at one glance (basically like you could if it were a big picture in Photoshop…dragging it around and zooming in and out as necessary.)
2. (VERY optimistic) I would like to be able to have the connecting lines drawn dynamically based on specified criteria. I.E. If you want to see the actual network connections, click the “network” button and the lines show you what machines are attached to whom and are labeled with the IP addresses.
OR, you click the “mounts” button, and the lines re-draw themselves to show that “MachineA:/mnt” dir has a mount to “MachineB:/export/home/tem
I was thinking some of the ways this could be done would be …
1. An .asp or .jsp page with an SQL database.
2. flash using masks and an SQL(or whatever?) type of database.
3. Some form of RTAP or WonderWare database.
4. Some other piece of web software better suited to this task that I don’t know about because I am an admin and not a web designer :-)
OK Guys…hit me with your great advice! I have SOME experience with all the above (.asp, .jsp, SQL web, RTAP, Flash) but feel free to assume I am an idiot :-)
M
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ASKER
Hey Frugle,
Thanks for the input. I am currently playing with SQL...just to get back into practice, and have done a few simple websites with flash...however, as this is for a specific project, ultimately I have to get it working with the graphics ASAP. For better or for worse, I have always been the type to go right for building the skyscraper, without doing some “one bedrooms” first. Figure the best way to learn is to jump in with both feet :-)
When I was writing the initial question, I figured the lines drawn between the machines would remain relatively stable...and considered using Flash with multiple mask layers (and just hide the stuff I didn’t want to be seen...kinda like an image gallery) but I have since decided it may be necessary to have the lines drawn dynamically...meaning I would have to be careful in how "it" (whatever it may be) will determine where to put the lines...for fear of it just becoming a jumble.
Does anyone know of a software package that does all this? I used to work with a database called RTAP (Windows competitor “WonderWare”) that was designed to do this sort of thing, but it was intended to run giant factories and production equipment…and cost about $100,000. Anyone know of something similar for a “small network” environment?
Thanks!
M
M
Thanks for the input. I am currently playing with SQL...just to get back into practice, and have done a few simple websites with flash...however, as this is for a specific project, ultimately I have to get it working with the graphics ASAP. For better or for worse, I have always been the type to go right for building the skyscraper, without doing some “one bedrooms” first. Figure the best way to learn is to jump in with both feet :-)
When I was writing the initial question, I figured the lines drawn between the machines would remain relatively stable...and considered using Flash with multiple mask layers (and just hide the stuff I didn’t want to be seen...kinda like an image gallery) but I have since decided it may be necessary to have the lines drawn dynamically...meaning I would have to be careful in how "it" (whatever it may be) will determine where to put the lines...for fear of it just becoming a jumble.
Does anyone know of a software package that does all this? I used to work with a database called RTAP (Windows competitor “WonderWare”) that was designed to do this sort of thing, but it was intended to run giant factories and production equipment…and cost about $100,000. Anyone know of something similar for a “small network” environment?
Thanks!
M
M
SOLUTION
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To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Krazywest: Awsome. I will check out the sites. THANKS!
kolpdc: Yes. The network, actually, is probably 100 PCs, so you're correct, the graphics will likely be the big hardship. I will have to ponder on that.
All: Flash keeps coming up, so I will look into that as well. I won't be so bold as to ask for a tutorial...but if you could give me an idea what features in flash I need to learn.
What I mean is, I have done some flash pages where different things pop up when you mouseover or click stuff...and worked a little with action script. I have also worked a little with Java and Javascript. SO, I guess the question is ...
1. How in Flash do I get the image drawn from the database? Maybe a couple of simple example code snippets, or a tutorial website would be great.
2. How in flash would you recommend getting the zoom in/zoom out/drag around the screen thing going? Same idea...a web site tutorial or a quick example would be awesome.
Thanks again! I wish I could make this one worth more than 500 pts :-D
M
kolpdc: Yes. The network, actually, is probably 100 PCs, so you're correct, the graphics will likely be the big hardship. I will have to ponder on that.
All: Flash keeps coming up, so I will look into that as well. I won't be so bold as to ask for a tutorial...but if you could give me an idea what features in flash I need to learn.
What I mean is, I have done some flash pages where different things pop up when you mouseover or click stuff...and worked a little with action script. I have also worked a little with Java and Javascript. SO, I guess the question is ...
1. How in Flash do I get the image drawn from the database? Maybe a couple of simple example code snippets, or a tutorial website would be great.
2. How in flash would you recommend getting the zoom in/zoom out/drag around the screen thing going? Same idea...a web site tutorial or a quick example would be awesome.
Thanks again! I wish I could make this one worth more than 500 pts :-D
M
ASKER
Oh...and some suggesstions as to what I am looking for with Macromedia director.
Thanks!
M
Thanks!
M
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Awesome advice! I have downloaded a copy of the Mac Director and gone through the tutorial, and it (or flash...they are very similar) seem like the way to go. I will play with the PHP a bit and get back with you!
Thanks again!
M
Thanks again!
M
ASKER
Wow! Great links! OK...here's what I think I am going to do...
1. I think I am going to use Mac Director...as it seems to have all the functionality of flash, plus a few extra features which might come in handy on this, or later projects.
2. I am going to go through some of the tutorials (from links on this page...and others) until I have a little better feel for Director in general.
3. Then I am going to post additional questions regarding the details...probably there is going to be the following questions, if not more :-)
a. Zooming in Director (assuming it is not entirely the same as zooming in flash.)
b. Details about using a database (probably JavaScript or PHP in director.)
c. Details about saving changes to the screen during a user session.
I expect this is the direction I am going to take. I will be using director to (in a nutshell) make a shockwave video-game...called "Let's build a network!" It will need to have the ability to ...
1. have objects dragged from a repository pool of icons (servers, workstations, routers, cables, ETC) and placed on the screen.
2. After placement on the screen, they need to be "saved" so they stay there between session...and if another user logs into the "game". Unless there is a Director designated way to do this, I may end up having the locations of the objects stored in the database. This would be fine, however, after the network gets big, I suspect this cause it to take a lot of time to load initially.
3. Each icon (object) will have its own link to the database so information about the object can be seen, and modified, from the game.
4. Finally, the entire "game map" (i.e. the vis representation of the network) will need to be able to be zoomed/dragged around.
So...I am going to assign some points. Since everyone had a had, I think I will just divvy up the points evenly...and start the first of the new series of questions.
NEXT QUESTION: (look for this as a new question in the forum) Tutorials on how to write a shockwave game :-)
Thanks again everyone!
M
1. I think I am going to use Mac Director...as it seems to have all the functionality of flash, plus a few extra features which might come in handy on this, or later projects.
2. I am going to go through some of the tutorials (from links on this page...and others) until I have a little better feel for Director in general.
3. Then I am going to post additional questions regarding the details...probably there is going to be the following questions, if not more :-)
a. Zooming in Director (assuming it is not entirely the same as zooming in flash.)
b. Details about using a database (probably JavaScript or PHP in director.)
c. Details about saving changes to the screen during a user session.
I expect this is the direction I am going to take. I will be using director to (in a nutshell) make a shockwave video-game...called "Let's build a network!" It will need to have the ability to ...
1. have objects dragged from a repository pool of icons (servers, workstations, routers, cables, ETC) and placed on the screen.
2. After placement on the screen, they need to be "saved" so they stay there between session...and if another user logs into the "game". Unless there is a Director designated way to do this, I may end up having the locations of the objects stored in the database. This would be fine, however, after the network gets big, I suspect this cause it to take a lot of time to load initially.
3. Each icon (object) will have its own link to the database so information about the object can be seen, and modified, from the game.
4. Finally, the entire "game map" (i.e. the vis representation of the network) will need to be able to be zoomed/dragged around.
So...I am going to assign some points. Since everyone had a had, I think I will just divvy up the points evenly...and start the first of the new series of questions.
NEXT QUESTION: (look for this as a new question in the forum) Tutorials on how to write a shockwave game :-)
Thanks again everyone!
M
Ouch.. nice easy target you picked yourself there..
ASKER
Thanks!
M