Batch transfer system and method for high performance graphic display of network topology

A batch transfer system for enhancing the speed at which map data for a display is generated from topology data pertaining to a network, comprising:

• (a) a processor;
• (b) a discovery mechanism associated with said processor, said discovery mechanism configured to generate and store topology data indicative of devices and interconnections of said network, said discovery mechanism configured to generate topology change events when a change in network topology occurs;
• (c) a layout mechanism associated with said processor and in communication with said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to receive said topology data and said events from said discovery mechanism, said layout mechanism configured to drive said display based upon said topology data, said layout mechanism comprising:
• (1) a translator configured to convert said topology data to said map data, said translator configured to receive said events and configured to change said map data based upon said events;
• and
• (2) a graphical user interface configured to receive said map data from said translator and to drive said display based upon said map data;
• and
• (d) wherein said translator and said graphical user interface are configured to periodically exchange display map changes and wherein said translator accumulates said display map changes between periodic exchanges and forwards a plurality of said display map changes to said graphical user interface during a single exchange therebetween so that said exchanges are minimized and the speed for generating map data is increased.

A batch transfer method for enhancing the speed at which map data for a display is generated by a processor from topology data pertaining to a network, comprising the steps of:

• generating and storing topology data indicative of devices and interconnections of said network;
• generating topology change events when a change in network topology occurs;
• converting said topology data to said map data;
• using said processor periodically to affect changes to said map data based upon said events;
• accumulating said events between usages of said processor;
• and
• servicing a plurality of said events during a single access to said processor so that the speed for generating map data is increased by minimizing the number of said accesses to said processor.

A batch transfer method for enhancing the speed at which map data pertaining to a topology of a network is driven by a graphical user interface to a display, comprising the steps of:

• generating and storing topology data indicative of devices and interconnections of said network;
• generating topology change events when a change in network topology occurs;
• converting said topology data to said map data;
• periodically communicating display map changes based upon said events to said graphical user interface;
• accumulating said display map changes between communications;
• and
• communicating a plurality of said display map changes to said graphical user interface during a single communication to said graphical user interface so that said communications are minimized and the speed for effectuating map data changes is increased.