Network atlas mapping tool
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A network mapping tool comprising:
- a management server for organizing topology data of an internetwork computing system as an atlas of maps on a network topology database; and
an atlas viewer interacting with the management server to display selected maps of the atlas on a specialized viewer window of a computer screen in a variety of views that facilitate comprehension of logical relationships between various components of the system, the viewer window comprising a browser for displaying a list of map names and a display pane for graphically displaying the contents of a selected map on the screen;
wherein said atlas viewer also interacts with said management server so as to permit user editing of said selected map in said display pane by user manipulation of the graphically-displayed contents using a pointing device, and so as to permit visual highlighting of at least certain of the graphically-displayed contents of said selected map to indicate areas where specific protocols are routed.
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Abstract
A network mapping tool efficiently organizes and displays topology data of an internetwork computing system as a hierarchical collection of network maps, i.e., a network atlas. The tool includes a management server that collects, organizes and records the topology data as an atlas on a network topology database. A management console interacts with the server to provide a graphical user interface for displaying the atlas on a computer screen in a variety of views that facilitate comprehension of logical relationships between various components of the system.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A network mapping tool comprising:
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a management server for organizing topology data of an internetwork computing system as an atlas of maps on a network topology database; and an atlas viewer interacting with the management server to display selected maps of the atlas on a specialized viewer window of a computer screen in a variety of views that facilitate comprehension of logical relationships between various components of the system, the viewer window comprising a browser for displaying a list of map names and a display pane for graphically displaying the contents of a selected map on the screen; wherein said atlas viewer also interacts with said management server so as to permit user editing of said selected map in said display pane by user manipulation of the graphically-displayed contents using a pointing device, and so as to permit visual highlighting of at least certain of the graphically-displayed contents of said selected map to indicate areas where specific protocols are routed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for constructing an atlas of maps using a network mapping tool having a topology database, the network mapping tool including a management server computer coupled to an internetwork computing system, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. invoking an atlas creator component of the management server; B. enumerating segments and routers stored in the topology database using the atlas creator; C. classifying each enumerated segment as one of a WAN and LAN segment; D. creating at least one WAN page and LAN-connected area page in response to Step C; E. anchoring a router to the WAN page if the router interfaces with at least one WAN segment; F. anchoring adjacent LAN-connected area pages to each other to generate cross-reference pages; whereby, an atlas is constructed having at least one top-level page graphically displaying a WAN structure of the computing system and at least one subordinate-level page graphically displaying structures of LAN-connected areas of the system; G. editing at least one of said area pages based upon user manipulation of at least one graphically-displayed component of said structures, using a pointing device; and H. visually highlighting at least certain graphically-displayed components of said structures to indicate areas in said computing system where specific protocols are routed. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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Specification