User based graphical computer network diagnostic tool
First Claim
1. A network map diagnostic tool operated by a user of a computer coupled to a computer network interface server, wherein said computer network interface server is coupled to a plurality of computer network entities on a computer network, said diagnostic tool comprising:
- a configuration file generated at said computer network interface server, said configuration file comprising a network address for each of said computer network entities and graphical data for depicting and positioning said computer network entities and said computer on a display;
means for retrieving said configuration file from said computer network interface server;
a graphical interface which graphically displays the computer coupled to said plurality of computer network entities on the computer network from a perspective of said computer, wherein said graphical interface is generated at said computer based on said configuration file and includes a first graphical coupling that couples the computer directly to a first network entity and a second graphical coupling that couples the first network entity directly to a second network entity;
means for allowing the user to select said second network entity;
means for testing the connectivity from the computer to said second network entity; and
means for graphically displaying a status of said connectivity using the first graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the computer and the first network entity and using the second graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the first network entity and the second network entity,wherein the information in said configuration file is limited to maintain network security.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer network diagnostic tool allows a user of a computer coupled to a computer network to perform network diagnostics. The tool provides a graphical interface which displays the computer coupled to a plurality of computer network entities on the computer network. The interface is adapted to allow the user to select one of the computer network entities. The diagnostic tool then tests the connectivity from the computer to a selected network entity, and the status of the connectivity is graphically displayed.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A network map diagnostic tool operated by a user of a computer coupled to a computer network interface server, wherein said computer network interface server is coupled to a plurality of computer network entities on a computer network, said diagnostic tool comprising:
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a configuration file generated at said computer network interface server, said configuration file comprising a network address for each of said computer network entities and graphical data for depicting and positioning said computer network entities and said computer on a display; means for retrieving said configuration file from said computer network interface server; a graphical interface which graphically displays the computer coupled to said plurality of computer network entities on the computer network from a perspective of said computer, wherein said graphical interface is generated at said computer based on said configuration file and includes a first graphical coupling that couples the computer directly to a first network entity and a second graphical coupling that couples the first network entity directly to a second network entity; means for allowing the user to select said second network entity; means for testing the connectivity from the computer to said second network entity; and means for graphically displaying a status of said connectivity using the first graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the computer and the first network entity and using the second graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the first network entity and the second network entity, wherein the information in said configuration file is limited to maintain network security. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of allowing a user of a computer coupled to a computer network to perform network diagnostics, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) retrieving from a computer network interface server coupled to the computer a configuration file generated at said computer network interface server, said configuration file comprising a network address for each of said computer network entities and graphical data for depicting and positioning said computer network entities and said computer on a display; (b) providing a graphical interface based on said configuration file which displays the computer coupled to a plurality of computer network entities on the computer network, said interface adapted to allow the user to select one of said computer network entities, wherein said interface includes a first graphical coupling that couples the computer directly to a first network entity, and a second graphical coupling that couples the first network entity directly to a second network entity; (c) testing the connectivity from the computer to the second network entity by selecting the second network entity; and (d) graphically displaying a status of said connectivity using the first graphical coupling to display the status of said connection between the computer and the first network entity and using the second graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the first network entity and the second network entity. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for allowing a user of a computer coupled to a computer network interface server to perform network diagnostics, wherein said computer network interface server is coupled to a plurality of computer network entities, said computer program comprising:
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a retrieving module for retrieving a configuration file generated at said computer network interface server, said configuration file comprising a network address for each of said computer network entities and graphical data for depicting and positioning said computer network entities and said computer on a display; a display module that generates and displays based on said configuration module a graphical interface of the computer coupled to said plurality of computer network entities, from a perspective of the computer, on the computer network wherein said graphical interface includes a first graphical coupling that couples the computer directly to a first network entity and a second graphical coupling that couples the first network entity directly to a second network entity; a selection module that enables the user to select said second network entity; and a diagnostic routine interfaced with said selection module that determines a status of the connectivity from the computer to said second network entity, said diagnostic routine being further interfaced with said graphical interface so that said status is displayed on said graphical interface using the first graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the computer and the first network entity and using the second graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the first network entity and the second network entity, wherein the information in said configuration file is limited to maintain network security. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer coupled to a computer network for performing network diagnostics, said computer comprising:
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a processor; a storage device coupled to said processor; and an input device coupled to said processor; wherein said processor is programmed to; (a) retrieving from a computer network interface server coupled to the computer a configuration file generated at said computer network interface server, said configuration file comprising a network address for each of said computer network entities and graphical data for depicting and positioning said computer network entities and said computer on a display device; (b) graphically display on a display device based on said configuration file a graphical interface of the computer coupled to a plurality of computer network entities on the computer network from a perspective of the computer, wherein said interface includes a first graphical coupling that couples the computer directly to a first network entity, and a second graphical coupling that couples the first network entity directly to a second network entity; (c) enable the second network entity to be selected with said input device; (d) determine a status of the connectivity from the computer to the second network entity; and (e) graphically display on the display device said status using the first graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the computer and the first network entity and using the second graphical coupling to display the status of the connection between the first network entity and the second network entity. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification