Graphical representation of the flow of a packet through a network device

• US 20070211644A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Steven, Ottamalika, Iqlas
• Granted Patent: US 7,898,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A method for graphically displaying a packet progression within a network device is described. Phases that correspond to operations performed on a packet within a network device are identified. The phases are visually displayed. The display indicates progression of the packet through the phases.

Claims

1. A method for graphically displaying a packet progression within a network device, said method comprising:

identifying a plurality of phases, wherein a phase of said plurality of phases corresponds to an operation of a plurality of operations performed on said packet;

displaying said plurality of phases; and

indicating progression of said packet through said plurality of phases, wherein said plurality of operations performed on said packet is visually represented.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising displaying a report for said packet to a user, wherein said report comprises said plurality of phases and a plurality of details associated with said phases.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving an input for displaying details of a phase of said plurality of phases.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving an input for allowing configuration capacity for first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving an input for allowing an automatic creation of second rule opposite of first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of phases is graphically represented by a plurality of icons

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein an operation of said plurality of operations corresponds to first rule.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said progression of said packet through said plurality of phases is visually represented in an animated fashion.

9. A graphic interface comprising:

a graphic display showing a plurality of phases corresponding to a plurality of operations performed on a packet within a network device, wherein a phase of said plurality of phases represents an operation of said plurality of operations associated with said packet, and wherein progression of said packet is illustrated.

10. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 further comprising a report for said packet, wherein said report comprises said plurality of phases and a plurality of details associated with said phases.

11. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 further comprising a button for displaying details of a phase of said plurality of phases.

12. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 further comprising a button for allowing configuration capacity for first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

13. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 further comprising a button for allowing an automatic creation of second rule opposite of first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

14. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 wherein said plurality of phases is graphically represented by a plurality of icons.

15. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 wherein said operation of said plurality of operations corresponds to first rule.

16. The graphic interface as recited in claim 9 wherein said progression of said packet is illustrated in an animated mode.

17. A system for graphically displaying a plurality of phases of a packet within a network device, said system comprising:

a means for separating actions taken on a packet into said plurality of phases, wherein a phase of said plurality of phases comprises an operation associated with said packet;

a means for displaying said plurality of phases; and

a means for representing progression of said packet through said plurality of phases, wherein a corresponding plurality of operations performed on said packet is displayed.

18. A computer-useable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein for implementing a method for graphically showing a packet movement within a network device, said method comprising:

recognizing a plurality of phases, wherein a phase of said plurality of phases corresponds to a procedure of a plurality of procedures performed on said packet;

depicting said plurality of phases; and

showing movement of said packet through said plurality of phases, wherein said plurality of procedures performed on said packet is visually represented.

19. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 further comprising showing a report for said packet to a user, wherein said report comprises said plurality of phases and a plurality of details associated with said phases.

20. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 further comprising receiving an input for showing details of a phases of said plurality of phases.

21. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 further comprising receiving an input for allowing configuration capacity for first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

22. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 further comprising receiving an input for allowing an automatic creation of second rule opposite of first rule associated with a phase of said plurality of phases.

23. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 wherein said plurality of phases is graphically represented by a plurality of icons

24. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 wherein a procedure of said plurality of procedures corresponds to first rule.

25. The computer-usable medium as recited in claim 18 wherein said movement of said packet through said plurality of phases is visually represented in an animated fashion.