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Port Mapping &

Profile Management System

What is Port Mapping?

Extreme Networks offers flexible and scalable cloud networking services that optimize network infrastructure. A feature within the Extreme Platform One is called Port Mapping for Wired Devices.

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In enterprise networking, every switch port must be configured to support specific functions like data access, VoIP, uplinks, monitoring, and more. Traditionally, this configuration is done manually per device, making it:

  • Time-consuming

  • Error-prone

  • Difficult to scale

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Port Mapping is a system that solves this by allowing administrators to:

  • Define reusable Port Profiles (configuration templates)

  • Map them to ports across devices using intelligent rules

  • Apply configurations at scale using hierarchy and filters


Port Mapping transforms manual configuration into a rule-based,

intent-driven system.

Problem Statement

Enterprise network administrators face three major challenges:

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1. Fragmented Configuration

Each switch and port must be configured individually, often via CLI.​

Enterprise network administrators struggle with:

  • Managing port configurations across diverse switch models

  • Maintaining consistency across stacks and deployments

  • Handling complex configurations (LAG, VIM modules) at scale

  • Existing workflows are Fragmented, Error-prone, and not scalable across device variations​

2. Lack of Scalability

Managing configurations across:

  • Multiple switch models

  • Stack configurations

  • Varying port types

leads to duplication and inconsistency.

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3. High Risk of Errors

  • Incorrect port assignments

  • Misconfigured uplinks

  • No visibility into applied rules

Opportunities

A centralised, scalable configuration system that:

  • Abstracts complexity using Port Profiles

  • Enables bulk, reusable configuration via Port Mapping

  • Supports hierarchical overrides for flexibility

My Role

I led:

  • Product thinking & UX strategy

  • Information architecture

  • Interaction design for complex workflows

  • Cross-functional alignment with engineering & product

Design Vision

Build a system where users define intent once and apply it across infrastructure without worrying about device-level complexity.

Persona

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Key Innovation: Port Mapping as a System

Instead of treating configuration as isolated actions, I designed Port Mapping as a layered system:

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UX Strategy

1

Intent Over Configuration

​Users don’t think in commands, they think in outcomes:
“Set up VoIP ports”
“Configure uplinks”

2

Progressive Complexity

Defaults & templates
Advanced, LAG, stack control

3

Visual First Approach

Replaced CLI-based thinking with:

  • Interactive switch diagrams

  • Direct manipulation of ports

4

Predictable System Behaviour

Introduced a hierarchical rule engine to manage complexity.

User Flow

Configuration Profile → Port Configuration

Userflows.png

Defining Behaviour

Port Configuration enables network administrators to create, manage, search, assign, and organise reusable port profiles before applying them to switches. Instead of configuring hundreds of switch ports individually, users create reusable templates (Port Profiles) and map them to devices later.

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Intent over Configuration: Users define what they want, not how to configure each port

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Designing the Hierarchical Design (Core Breakthrough)

As we explored how network administrators configure devices, we discovered there wasn’t a single configuration that worked for every switch.
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  • A company may have 200 switches across different office locations.

  • Most switches should follow the same configuration.

  • However, certain switch models require specialised port assignments because they have different hardware capabilities.

  • Some individual SKUs need unique configurations.

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The UX Problem
How do we allow administrators to create broad configuration rules while still supporting exceptions?
The solution had to be: Flexible, Predictable, Easy to understand, Easy to maintain
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Solution​
I designed a three-level precedence model inspired by how people naturally organise rules.
The more specific rule always wins.

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Admins think in groups, not individual devices.

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Visual Port Assignment Interface

A switch diagram UI that includes:

  • 48-port layout

  • Color-coded states:

    • Assigned

    • Unassigned

  • Filters:

    • Copper / Fiber

    • Odd / Even

This interface helps users 

  • Reduces abstraction

  • Makes configuration tangible

  • Enables faster decision-making

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Advanced Features

  • LAG (Link Aggregation)

  • Visual grouping of ports

  • Inline configuration

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Visual Representation of Stack Configurations Scalability Considerations:
Challenges in large networks may require hundreds of devices and stack configurations.

Create LAGstack.png

Handling Edge Cases

Users may not understand why a configuration is overridden.
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Show 
1. Real-time validation
2. Error states with resolution guidance​
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Solution

  • Visual hierarchy indicators

  • Override messaging:
“This rule is not supported for the specific mapping"

  • Pre-deployment preview

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Impact

“The solution improved operational efficiency by reducing repetitive work and configuration errors by 23%.

 

More importantly, it established a scalable framework that could support future networking features.”

End-to-End Workflow

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