The Design and Theory of Data Visualization Tools and Techniques

Networked enterprises have grown exponentially for more than a decade and have become quite unwieldy to manage and secure. What we now have are massive heterogeneous environments that offer, and demand, extensive resources and bandwidth. Thus, many of our existing tools are no longer viable for managing these networks. However, there are many new tools, techniques, and approaches on the horizon that have the potential to scale to, and with, the enterprise. One such technique is that of rendering a visual representation of data for the use of inter-network traffic analysis. It is primarily my personal experience with the limitations of existing products that has prompted me to further explore the design potential of the data visualization approach. Edward Tufte, a pioneer in the use of graphics as a means of representing information, argues that a major issue we deal with is that of presenting large amounts of information in a way that is compact, accurate, adequate for the purpose, and easy to understand. Specifically, to show cause and effect, to insure that the proper comparisons are made, and to achieve the (valid) goals that are desired. He further states that the solution is to develop a consistent approach to the display of graphics, which enhances its dissemination, accuracy, and ease of comprehension.