Updating diagrams of dynamic representational Models of dynamic systems

• US 6,697,087 B1
• Filed: 05/05/1999
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Kelly, Stephen T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US09/305,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 345/734, 345/735, 345/736, 709/220, 709/221, 709/223, 709/224
• US Class Current: 715/735
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/024 using relational databases for representation of network management data, e.g. managing via structured query language [SQL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a facility for selectively updating a diagram of a representational model of a dynamic system. The facility obtains a list of changes that have occurred to the model since the diagram was generated. The facility then receives user input requesting application to the diagram of a selected one of the changes. In response to receiving this user input, the facility modifies the diagram to reflect the selected change.

Claims

1. A method in a computer system for maintaining the currency of a diagram of a dynamic model representing the state of a computer network, the dynamic model being comprised of network elements and being periodically updated to reflect changes in the state of the computer network, composing:

generating a diagram portraying at least a subset of the network elements that comprise the model at a first time;

analyzing the state of the model at a second time to identify network elements added to the model between the first and second times that are not reflected in the diagram;

based upon the analyzing step, displaying a text list of added network elements;

receiving instances of user input each selecting an added network element from the text list;

in response to each instance of user input selecting an added network element from the text list,

displaying one or more options for incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element; and

if user input is received selecting a displayed option, incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element in accordance with the selected option.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element comprises incorporating a network device into the diagram.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element comprises incorporating a router into the diagram.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element comprises incorporating an interface into the diagram.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element comprises incorporating logical network into the diagram.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the analyzing step further identifies network elements in the model that were altered between the first and second times that are reflected in the diagram in accordance with their state in the model at the first time,

and wherein the displaying steps, the receiving step, and the incorporating steps are also performed with respect to the identified changed network elements.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the analyzing step further identifies network elements that were removed from the model between the first and second times that are reflected in the diagram in accordance with their presence in the model at the first time,

and wherein the displaying steps and the receiving step are also performed with respect to the identified deleted network elements,

the method further comprising the step of, in response to each instance of user input selecting a displayed removed network element:

soliciting user input requesting deletion from the diagram of the selected removed network element; and

if user input is received requesting deletion from the diagram of the selected removed network element, deleting the selected removed network element from the diagram.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein each network element of the model has a numerical identifier,

and wherein the largest numerical identifier among the network elements of the model at the first time is known,

and wherein analyzing the state of the model at a second time to identify network elements added to the model between the first and second times that are not reflected in the diagram comprises identifying network elements of the model whose numerical identifiers exceed the largest numerical identifier among the network elements of the model at the first time.

9. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computer system to update a diagram of a dynamic model representing the state of a computer network, the dynamic model being comprised of network elements and being periodically updated to reflect changes in the state of the computer network, by:

generating a diagram portraying at least a subset of the network elements that comprise the model at a first time;

analyzing the state of the model at a second time to identify network elements added to the model between the first and second times that are not reflected in the diagram;

based upon the analyzing step, displaying a text list of added network elements;

receiving instances of user input each selecting an added network element from the text list;

in response to each instance of user input selecting an added network element from the text list,

displaying one or more options for incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element; and

if user input is received selecting a displayed option, incorporating into the diagram the selected added network element in accordance with the selected option.