Multi-layered cross-sectional diagram of a network

• US 7,130,278 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2001
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hennenlotter, William
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAH, CHIRAG G
• Application Number:
  US09/891,778
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 370/254, 370/255, 370/257, 370/258, 370/241, 370/244, 370/245, 370/216
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• 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

A multi-layered cross-sectional diagram and a method of diagramming a network by using the multi-layered cross-sectional diagram are described. The multi-layered cross-sectional diagram exhibits sufficient modularity, scalability, and size flexibility to handle a wide range of networks and to deal with a wide variety of network sizes, including small networks, growing networks, and large networks. In addition, the multi-layered cross-sectional diagram facilitates localized modifications to reflect changes in the network.

Claims

1. A method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of:

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device;

c) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

d) displaying via a display device a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

e) displaying via said display device a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

f) displaying via said display device a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

g) displaying via said display device a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

h) displaying via said display device a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

i) displaying via said display device a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.

7. A method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of:

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device; and

c) displaying via a display device a multi-layered cross-sectional diagram corresponding to said network, wherein said multi-layered cross-sectional diagram has a plurality of cross-sectional representations which are similar to each other, wherein said plurality of cross-sectional representations have a plurality of sizes, and wherein each cross-sectional representation visually represents a group from a hierarchical layer and visually represents one or more other groups from another hierarchical layer, wherein said step c) includes;

c1) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

c2) displaying via said display device a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

c3) displaying via said display device a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial, reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c4) displaying via said display device a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

c5) displaying via said display device a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

10. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c6) displaying via said display device a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

c7) displaying via said display device a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

11. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

12. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.

13. A computer system comprising:

a bus;

a processor coupled to said bus; and

a computer readable memory device coupled to said bus and having computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing a method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, said method comprising the steps of;

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device;

c) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

d) forming a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

e) forming a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

14. A computer system as recited in claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

f) forming a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

g) forming a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

15. A computer system as recited in claim 14 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

16. A computer system as recited in claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

h) forming a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

i) forming a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

17. A computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

18. A computer system as recited in claim 13 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.

19. A computer system comprising:

a bus;

a processor coupled to said bus; and

a computer readable memory device coupled to said bus and having computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing a method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, said method comprising the steps of;

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device; and

c) forming a multi-layered cross-sectional diagram corresponding to said network, wherein said multi-layered cross-sectional diagram has a plurality of cross-sectional representations which are similar to each other, wherein said plurality of cross-sectional representations have a plurality of sizes, and wherein each cross-sectional representation visually represents a group from a hierarchical layer and visually represents one or more other groups from another hierarchical layer, wherein said step c) includes;

c1) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

c2) forming a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

c3) forming a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

20. A computer system as recited in claim 19 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c4) forming a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

c5) forming a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

21. A computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

22. A computer system as recited in claim 20 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c6) forming a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

c7) forming a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

23. A computer system as recited in claim 19 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

24. A computer system as recited in claim 19 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.

25. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing a method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device;

c) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

d) forming a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

e) forming a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

26. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 25 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

f) forming a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

g) forming a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

27. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 26 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

28. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 26 wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

h) forming a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

i) forming a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

29. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 25 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

30. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 25 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.

31. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions stored therein for performing a method of diagramming a network having a plurality of devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) determining a plurality of hierarchical layers for said network, wherein said devices are arranged in said hierarchical layers;

b) determining one or more groups in each hierarchical layer, wherein each group includes at least one device; and

c) forming a multi-layered cross-sectional diagram corresponding to said network, wherein said multi-layered cross-sectional diagram has a plurality of cross-sectional representations which are similar to each other, wherein said plurality of cross-sectional representations have a plurality of sizes, and wherein each cross-sectional representation visually represents a group from a hierarchical layer and visually represents one or more other groups from another hierarchical layer, wherein said step c) includes;

c1) determining a first linked group having a first group from a first hierarchical layer and a first associated group having at least one group from a second hierarchical layer;

c2) forming a first cross-sectional representation corresponding to said first linked group, wherein said first cross-sectional representation has a first inner portion representing said first group and a first outer portion having one or more sections each section corresponding to a group from said first associated group; and

c3) forming a plurality of initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said first associated group forms one of a plurality of second linked groups each second linked group having said group from said first associated group and a second associated group having at least one group from a third hierarchical layer, wherein each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a reduced-size outer portion and a reduced-size inner portion, wherein each reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said first associated group and which is associated with said section in which said reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each reduced-size outer portion has one or more reduced-size sections each reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said second associated group of one of said second linked groups.

32. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 31 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c4) forming a second cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said second cross-sectional representation has a second outer portion and a second inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said reduced-size outer portion and said reduced-size inner portion respectively of said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said second cross-sectional representation is similar to said first cross-sectional representation; and

c5) forming a plurality of additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said second outer portion of said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said second associated group forms one of a plurality of third linked groups each third linked group having said group from said second associated group and a third associated group having at least one group from a fourth hierarchical layer, wherein each additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a second reduced-size outer portion and a second reduced-size inner portion, wherein each second reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said second associated group and which is associated with said section in which said second reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each second reduced-size outer portion has one or more second reduced-size sections each second reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said third associated group of one of said third linked groups.

33. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 32 wherein a miniature version of one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations is located in each reduced-size section of each initial reduced-size cross-sectional representation.

34. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 32 wherein said step c) further comprises the steps of:

c6) forming a third cross-sectional representation corresponding to one of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representations, wherein said third cross-sectional representation has a third outer portion and a third inner portion each portion configured to represent an enlarged version of said second reduced-size outer portion and said second reduced-size inner portion respectively of said additional reduced-size cross-sectional representation, wherein said third cross-sectional representation is similar to said second cross-sectional representation; and

c7) forming a plurality of next reduced-size cross-sectional representations each located in each section of said third outer portion of said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation is similar to said third cross-sectional representation, wherein each group from said third associated group forms one of a plurality of fourth linked groups each fourth link group having said group from said third associated group and a fourth associated group having at least one group from a fifth hierarchical layer, wherein each next reduced-size cross-sectional representation has a third reduced-size outer portion and a third reduced-size inner portion, wherein each third reduced-size inner portion represents said group which is from said third associated group and which is associated with said section in which said third reduced-size inner portion is located, and wherein each third reduced-size outer portion has one or more third reduced-size sections each third reduced-size section corresponding to a group from said fourth associated group of one of said fourth linked groups.

35. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 31 wherein said first cross-sectional representation and said initial reduced-size cross-sectional representations each have a circular shape.

36. A computer-readable medium as recited in claim 31 wherein said first outer portion and said reduced-size outer portions each have a ring shape.