Networking hardware element to couple computer network elements and method of displaying a network layout map thereon

• US 20080043626A1
• Filed: 08/17/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Belkin Corporation (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Lin, Steven, Pham, Anthony, Hoard, David W., Bettino, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,675,862 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/241
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

In one embodiment, a networking hardware element (1100, 3100) capable of coupling computer network elements (1010) comprises a network diagnostic mechanism (2140) that is capable of mapping the computer network elements and that is also capable of determining a connection status for the computer network elements. The networking hardware element also comprises a display (2110, 3110, 5110) that is capable of communicating with the network diagnostic mechanism and that is also capable of displaying a network layout map (2111, 5111) of representations of the computer network elements and the connection status of the computer network elements.

Claims

1. A networking hardware element to couple computer network elements, comprising:

a network diagnostic mechanism capable of;

mapping the computer network elements; and

determining a connection status for the computer network elements coupled to the networking hardware element; and

a display capable of;

communicating with the network diagnostic mechanism; and

displaying a network layout map of

representations of the computer network elements, and

the connection status of the computer network elements.

2. The networking hardware element of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more transceivers capable of sending and receiving communication signals to and from the computer network elements; and

wherein the network diagnostic mechanism is further capable of;

monitoring the transceivers; and

determining the connection status for the computer network elements based on monitoring the transceivers.

3. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the computer network elements are selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a modem,

the internet,

one or more wired computers,

one or more wireless computers, and

a printer.

4. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the networking hardware element is selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a router,

a hub,

a switch,

a wireless network access point, and

a wireless networking card.

5. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the display is iconographic.

6. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the display further comprises an LCD.

7. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

a first one of the representations represents a plurality of one type of computer network elements.

8. The networking hardware element of claim 7, wherein:

the first one of the representations indicates a quantity of the plurality of the type of computer network elements.

9. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

each of the representations represents an individual computer network element.

10. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the display is further capable of displaying a network information set selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a network security indicator;

a service set identifier;

a network speed; and

a network security standard.

11. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the display is capable of displaying a network setup advice.

12. The networking hardware element of claim 11, wherein:

the networking hardware element is capable of;

interpreting input from a user responding to the network setup advice; and

then

causing the display to display an additional network setup advice.

13. The networking hardware element of claim 11, wherein:

the display is capable of indicating any of the representations corresponding to the network setup advice.

14. The networking hardware element of claim 1, wherein:

the display is capable of displaying a network troubleshooting advice.

15. The networking hardware element of claim 14, further comprising:

the networking hardware element is capable of;

interpreting input from a user responding to the network troubleshooting advice; and

then

causing the display to display an additional network troubleshooting advice.

16. The networking hardware element of claim 14, wherein:

the display is capable of indicating any of the representations corresponding to the network troubleshooting advice.

17. A method of displaying a network layout map on a networking hardware element, the method comprising:

determining a connection status for computer network elements; and

then

displaying on the networking hardware element a network layout map of;

representations of the computer network elements, and

the connection status of any of the computer network elements.

18. A networking hardware element to allow computer network elements to communicate with each other, comprising:

network communication ports to couple to the computer network elements;

a network mapping routine capable of;

scanning the network communication ports for communication signals; and

establishing a communication status for each of the network communication ports;

a network arrangement representation based on information from the network mapping routine, comprising;

icons for the computer network elements; and

the communication status of each of the network communication ports.

19. The networking hardware element of claim 18, wherein:

a first one of the icons represents one or more of a type of computer network element.

20. The networking hardware element of claim 19, wherein:

the first one of the icons indicates a quantity of the computer network elements it represents.

21. The networking hardware element of claim 18, further comprising:

an LCD;

wherein the LCD displays the network arrangement representation.

22. The networking hardware element of claim 18, further comprising:

an LCD;

a network troubleshooting advice; and

an additional network troubleshooting advice;

wherein;

the LCD displays the network troubleshooting advice; and

the LCD displays the additional network troubleshooting advice in response to an input pertaining to the network troubleshooting advice.

23. The networking hardware element of claim 18, further comprising:

an LCD;

a network setup advice; and

an additional network setup advice;

wherein;

the LCD displays the network setup advice; and

the LCD displays the additional network setup advice in response to an input pertaining to the network setup advice.

24. The networking hardware element of claim 18, wherein:

the computer network elements are selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a modem,

the internet,

one or more wired computers,

one or more wireless computers, and

a printer.

25. The networking hardware element of claim 18, further comprising:

a network information listing;

wherein the network information listing lists information is selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a network security indicator;

a service set identifier;

a network speed; and

a network security standard.

26. The networking hardware element of claim 18, further comprising:

an LCD; and

a network information listing;

wherein;

a first one of the icons represents one or more of a type of computer network element;

the LCD displays the network arrangement representation;

the computer network elements are selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a modem,

the internet,

one or more wired computers,

one or more wireless computers, and

a printer; and

the network information listing lists information selected from the group consisting essentially of;

a network security indicator;

a service set identifier;

a network speed; and

a network security standard.

27. The networking hardware element of claim 26, further comprising:

a network setup advice; and

an additional network setup advice;

wherein;

the LCD displays the network setup advice;

the LCD indicates at least one of the icons corresponding to the network setup advice; and

the LCD displays the additional network setup advice in response to an input pertaining to the network setup advice;

28. The networking hardware element of claim 26, further comprising:

a network troubleshooting advice; and

an additional network troubleshooting advice;

wherein;

the LCD displays the network troubleshooting advice;

the LCD indicates at least one of the icons corresponding to the network troubleshooting advice; and

the LCD displays the additional network troubleshooting advice in response to an input pertaining to the network troubleshooting advice.