A study on network management tools of householders

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the tools that users currently rely on for their home network management, the usability problems with those tools, and some desirable features for a tool for householders.

Towards a framework to support novice users in understanding and monitoring of Home Area Networks

“…In this rapidly evolving area, a series of significant challenges lies in the necessity and complexity of understanding, monitoring and managing modern home networks for most households [15] [16]. A recent usability study [17] shows that even though there are several tools already embedded in operating systems and routers, most nonexpert HAN users still desire a simple, direct and explicit way to monitor their whole home network and to diagnose network problems.…”

Characterizing Home Network Traffic: An Inside View

“…In [16], Feamster proposes to outsource the management and operations of home networks to a third party that has expertise of network operations and security management. In [17], Yang et al study network management tools that are currently deployed in home networks via interviewing 25 home networks users, and report user experiences of these network management tools. To aid in troubleshooting and managing home networks, [18] proposes to build a home network data recorder system as a general-purpose logging platform to record what is happening in home networks.…”

An information plane architecture supporting home network management

“…3 • Ability for an application to register interest in the occurrence of particular patterns of events and to receive notifications when a pattern is detected.…”

“…These studies highlighted the opaque nature of existing domestic network technology as particularly problematic for users. Current routers provide little information about the nature of the network to inhabitants [3] with the result that they are uncertain about the current status of the network, the nature of any particular issues or how they might address these. Furthermore, control interfaces require significant technical knowledge and expertise.…”

“…This stems from the fact that the current suite of Internet protocols and architectures has migrated to the home with little or no reflection upon their appropriateness. The current home network is essentially built around the same protocols, architectures, and tools that were developed for the Internet as a whole in the 1970's [3]. Inherent in the Internet's 'end-to-end' architecture is the notion that the core is simple and stable, providing only a semantically neutral transport service.…”