Ryan,

A few small comments inline…  probably the main high level one is ensuring I understand the scope of this as an advocacy and outreach tool or as a engineering tool?

On Sep 25, 2018, at 10:36 AM, Ryan Davies <Ryan.Davies@canarie.ca> wrote:

It seems my message exceeded a size threshold for the list.  Here is a Markdown version, both attached and inline below.
 
 
 
From: Ryan Davies <Ryan.Davies@canarie.ca>
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 10:22
To: GNA Mapping initiative <gren-mapping-wg@lists.nordu.net>
Subject: User Stories draft
 
Hello folks,
 
I compiled that list of user stories we discussed, attached.  It's intentionally a bit terse, but hopefully provides a starting point.  Did I miss any stories, or miss the mark on any of those that are there?
 
For discussion any time of course, but definitely tomorrow at the meeting.
 
--
Ryan
 
 
 
 
# GREN Harmonized Mapping Initiative:
User Stories [DRAFT]
====================
 
*Author: Ryan Davies, GREN Map Working Group*
*Software Developer, CANARIE Inc.*
*613-229-3730*
*September 2018*
*canarie.ca | @canarie_inc*
 
#
# Introduction
 
The GREN Mapping Initiative’s initial objective is to define a schema for the communication of network data. This can then be used as a source of NREN data for various map visualization implementations.  To ensure that the schema is sufficiently complete, compatible, and convenient for all foreseen uses, we are compiling a list of features currently offered by existing map implementations, and for near-future visualization goals.
 
These features are described as user stories.  They are not meant to be comprehensive descriptions of the feature, nor are they prescriptive in terms of implementation.  However, full coverage of existing and planned features is desired.
 
Once this list has been generally accepted by the community, we will derive data schema requirements from it.
 
## Definitions
 
  * __Map Viewer__: NREN user, NREN administrator/provider, prospective or current NREN funder, member of the public.
  * __Site__: NREN connected institution, POP, or Internet Exchange; from all participating NRENs.
 
## Consumption User Stories
 
### Sites
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see a list of Sites, represented graphically on a zoomable, geographic map, with, optionally, labels.
 
### Links
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see the intra- and inter-NREN links (physical or logical) on the map and, optionally, labels.

ahh inter-NREN… glad you touched on this… one challenge we will need to tackle when network A and B are both providing models of their networks and the link to each other, there needs to be some approach that allows us to know that we have 2 representations of the same link and that its ok to deduplicate.   Additionally its important to know that these particular links are NREN interconnections.

 
### More Information
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to hover over a Site or a link and see more information about that item.  (Specifics about what information to present shall be left to each visualization implementation of the map.)  I also wish to be able to click on the item for additional information in an extended pane.  (Again, specifics left to implementation.)
 
### Link Disambiguation
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to clearly see and distinguish between all of the links between the same two Sites, when there is more than one.
 
### Site Ownership
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to identify to which NREN any given Site belongs, and also, by inference, the partner at each end of a link.
 
### Link Ownership
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see who owns, maintains, provides, and funds each link.
 
### Link Capacity
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see the capacity of each link.

we should call out exactly what this means presumably some form of bits / sec.
 
### Link Type
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to distinguish between each type of link.  Types could include circuits, logical compound links, undersea cables, satellite links, etc.
 
### NREN/Region Filter
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to filter the map view to show only Sites and links associated with a single NREN, or a single region.
 
### Inter-NREN Filter
 
As a Map Viewer, when the above NREN filter is engaged so that only a single NREN’s Nodes and links is being shown, I wish to filter the map view to show only Sites and links that do not cross to other NRENs.  Alternatively, distinguishing those types of links from intra-NREN links is acceptable.
 
### Link Length
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see the length of the “active” (hovered or clicked) link’s physical (geographic) length.


When you say length here do we really mean link latency? or possibly as the crow flies between the 2 endpoints.  Reason I ask is that its very difficult to know the length in some cases especially when you do not control fiber in ground up.

At a technical level with a set of points finding distance is very doable, Im not sure I understand how this would be used by the viewer I guess?

more broadly this is really interesting area but the use cases rapidly get out of advocacy and into network engineering maybe?

 
### Infinite Scroll
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to scroll freely east or west indefinitely, looping around the map as required.
 
### Activity Metrics
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to see a graph of recent activity over a given link along with its extended information, and potentially also the most current activity level at all times.  Activity is a term that includes usage and incidents.

This could use some constraining I suspect at some point but the idea is you want the ability to for the map to display time series metrics that are likely pulled from a secondary data source?  

 
### Point-to-Point Connectivity
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to select any two Sites, and be shown the primary route over which data would travel between those Sites under normal GREN/NREN configuration.

So this raises a few questions:

1.  what route selection criteria are you envisioning here and how do you know whether this lines up with reality in production?
2.  I wonder to what extent these maps will be layer1 , 2 or 3 in nature? 
3,  finding the shortest by some measure or by some definable measure can be useful especially if it does not line up with production.

more broadly this is really interesting area but the use cases rapidly get out of advocacy and into network engineering?


 
### Site Type Filter
 
As a Map Viewer, I wish to filter/highlight the list of Nodes shown to a single type/interest.  For example, filter to Internet Exchanges.  For another example, highlight research centres supporting astronomy.
 
## Administrative User Stories
 
### Default Centring
 
As a map visualization administrator, I wish to configure where the map is centred by default, and also the default zoom level.
 
### Link Waypoints
 
As a map source data provider (usually on behalf of an NREN), I wish to be able to define a custom compound line for each link, consisting of segments between intermediate waypoints.  This is to allow increased disambiguation, a geographically-acccurate path for the link, or an intentionally non-geographically-accurate logical layout.
 
### Logos/Branding
 
As an NREN administrator, I wish to be able to specify a font colour and logo for each label (of a Site or link).
 
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