System and method for implementing a user interface in a client management tool

• US 7,549,124 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2004
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: DeLuca, Steve A., Bishop, David A., Darcy, Paul B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAILU, TADESSE
• Application Number:
  US10/805,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,912 Days
• Field of Search: 715/735, 715/736, 715/771, 715/772, 709/23, 709/224, 709/225, 709/230, 707/101, 707/102, 717/131, 717/132, 717/124
• US Class Current: 715/736
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/045 for graphical visualisation of monitoring data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0882 Utilisation of link capacity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/968 interface for database querying and retrieval

Abstract

A method and system are provided for implementing a user interface in a client management tool. A user interface allows a user to select a number of polling agent configurations in the client management tool. Another interface allows a user to issue and modify various client attributes without having to terminate a measurement. A further user interface allows a user to archive client management data within the client management tool.

Claims

1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a user interface selection device, a method of archiving within a client management tool for collecting measurements associated with a network and client devices on the network, wherein the client management tool performs both a client management function and an archiving function based on the collected measurements, said method comprising:

receiving an entry selection indicative of a user selection, at the client management tool, to archive client management data, wherein the client management data comprises at least one of capacity planning data or performance monitoring data corresponding- to measurements collected by the client management tool;

obtaining a selection of a set of client management data;

creating, within the client management tool, an archive file having the selected set of client management data; and

receiving, at the client management tool, another entry selection indicative of a user selection to restore an archived file, wherein receiving the user selection to restore an archive file includes selecting one of the files in a list of archived files.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising displaying an entry selection indicative of a date in which to extend the archive.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising displaying an entry selection indicative of a user designation of the date in which to extend the archive.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising receiving an entry selection indicative of a user selection to delete an archived file.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising displaying a list of archived files, wherein the step of receiving the user selection to delete an archive file includes selecting one of the files in the list.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the obtaining step occurs prior to the receiving step.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiving step occurs prior to the obtaining step.

8. One or more computer storage media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of archiving within a client management tool that performs both a client management function and an archiving function, said method comprising:

receiving an entry selection indicative of a user selection, at the client management tool, to archive client management data, wherein the client management data comprises at least one of capacity planning data or performance monitoring data corresponding to measurements for a network and client devices on the network collected by the client management tool;

obtaining a selection of a set of client management data;

creating, within the client management tool, an archive file having the selected set of client management data;

generating for display, at the client management tool, a list of archived files; and

receiving, at the client management tool, another entry selection indicative of a user selection to restore an archived file for additional client management data collection, wherein the step of receiving the user selection to restore an archive file includes selecting one of the files in the list.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising displaying an entry selection indicative of a date in which to extend the archive.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising displaying an entry selection indicative of a user designation of the date in which to extend the archive.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising receiving an entry selection indicative of a user selection to delete an archived file.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising displaying a list of archived files, wherein the step of receiving the user selection to delete an archive file includes selecting one of the files in the list.

13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the obtaining step occurs prior to the receiving step.

14. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the receiving step occurs prior to the obtaining step.

15. A computer system having a processor, a memory and an operating environment, the computer system operable to execute a method of archiving within a client management tool that performs both a client management function and an archiving function, said method comprising:

receiving an entry selection indicative of a user selection, at the client management tool, to archive client management data, wherein the client management data comprises at least one of capacity planning data or performance monitoring data corresponding- to measurements collected by the client management tool;

obtaining a selection of a set of client management data;

creating, within the client management tool, an archive file having the selected set of client management data

generating for display, at the client management tool, a list of archived files; and

receiving, at the client management tool, another entry selection indicative of a user selection to restore an archived file, wherein the step of receiving the user selection to restore an archive file includes selecting one of the files in the list.