A Comprehensive and Idealized Network Status Dashboard
Alright, let's dive into this nifty project that's all about building a presific dying-breed, a data rate monitor for the link between two data centers. Sounds like a fun weekend project, eh? Max, our cool pal, was itching to use some snazzy MD0657C2-R LED dot matrix displays, and this project provided just the right opportunity.
These LED displays are mounted in groups of four on mini PCBs, which are then driven by a MAX6952. Each display group is connected to a Raspberry Pi Pico, creating several display panels for this badass project. These panels are essentially laser-cut, laser-etched acrylic sheets, with a pair of the LED boards tucked behind them. The enlightened power behind these panels comes from a series of LED ring lights designed to illuminate the etched parts, all housed in a wooden enclosure. Each panel gets its own Raspberry Pi Pico, all connected and powered by a Pico W that handles network duties.
Now, this isn't the first time we've shown you a status panel, no sir. We've been at this for a while.
As you might imagine, different types of status panels are used across various domains to monitor network performance, project progress, and more. For instance, network traffic monitors like Cloudflare's Network Analytics Dashboard can provide detailed insights on network traffic and health, including DDoS attacks and source data center information.
On the other hand, data center monitoring tools such as Palo Alto Networks Strata Cloud Manager keep track of service connections, offering data on bandwidth consumption, tunnel data, and service connection health.
In the realm of project management, templates like Smartsheet's Project Status Templates help track project progress, adaptable to monitor technical projects like data center integrations or network upgrades.
Lastly, data analytics platforms like Panel Data Analysis can be employed to observe variables over time, providing insights into trends and anomalies in data center performance or network traffic patterns.
So, what we're trying to say here is that there are various ways to monitor and visualize status based on the specific use case at hand. Max's LED-blinking data rate monitor is just one cool way to skin the cat, boasting a DIY aesthetic that's hard to beat.
The LED displays in Max's data rate monitor are mounted on mini Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), which demonstrate the integration of modern technology in an intriguing project. These LED boards are utilized for visualizing network data, adding a unique touch to data center monitoring tools available in the market.
