Method and system for visually representing network configurations
First Claim
1. A network management tool for representing a network configuration including a plurality of distinct network segments coupled to a centralized node, the tool comprising:
- a) a user interface for displaying the representation of said network configuration;
b) a list containing a plurality of attributes of the network segments; and
c) a display controller for affecting a display content of said representation on said user interface, said display controller providing a reference frame for maintaining the location of selected ones of the network segments in context of said display content;
wherein said list and said display controller are presented on said user interface and are operable for a user to control the display of said display content in a predetermined sequence on said user interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A visualization method for a hub network configuration allows exploration of a chosen network by way of a graphical display interface (GUI), wherein multiple distinct network segments such as lines or rings are shown attached to a common node or centralized hub. The technique combines a graphical view of the segments controlled by a segment selector. The selector is coupled to a series of display indicators and a list of the attached rings contained in the network. The list can contain descriptive elements of the segments, or can provide links to such detail. A mutually exclusive selection of the attached segments is enabled using either the selector or the list of attached segments. For each segment selected, the display indicators can show the currently displayed segments on the GUI, help to highlight on the GUI a selected attached segment and provide an indication of attached segments that are related in function to the selected segment. Selected and remaining segments of the network are displayed in various shadings or colours, which enables a Network Manager or other user of the system and method to easily distinguish and consider these aspects alternatively. In the graphical view, attached segments can be displayed in stacked, overlaid, or isolated formats. The segments can consist of rings, lines, stars, bars, and chains.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A network management tool for representing a network configuration including a plurality of distinct network segments coupled to a centralized node, the tool comprising:
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a) a user interface for displaying the representation of said network configuration; b) a list containing a plurality of attributes of the network segments; and c) a display controller for affecting a display content of said representation on said user interface, said display controller providing a reference frame for maintaining the location of selected ones of the network segments in context of said display content; wherein said list and said display controller are presented on said user interface and are operable for a user to control the display of said display content in a predetermined sequence on said user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28)
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24. A computer program product for representing a network configuration including a plurality of distinct network segments coupled to a centralized node, the product comprising:
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a) a computer-readable medium; b) a display module stored on the computer-readable medium for displaying the representation of said network configuration; c) a list module coupled to said display module for displaying a plurality of attributes of the network segments; and d) a display controller module coupled to said display module for affecting an output display content of said representation generated by said display module, said display controller module providing a reference frame for maintaining the location in context of selected ones of the network segments of the display content;
wherein said display module presents said list and said display controller are presented on a user interface and are operable for a user to control the display of said display content in a predetermined sequence.
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25. A method for representing a network configuration including a plurality of distinct network segments coupled to a centralized node, the method comprising:
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a) displaying the representation of said network configuration; b) displaying a list containing a plurality of attributes of the network segments; c) displaying an operable display controller for controlling a display content of said representation through a reference frame for maintaining the location in context of selected ones of the network segments of said display content; and d) coordinating the display of said display content by the reference frame in a predetermined sequence.
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Specification