Method for displaying a network topology for a task deployment service
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsJohn Elderton, Ronald L. Heiney, Kevin Thomas McDonald, Mike Moran, Joseph Laurence Saunders
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for displaying a network topology begins by presenting a user a set of attributes for network objects in the network. The user the selects a given attribute and an attribute value. A mapper routine of the invention then builds a topology map that includes at least one icon representing network objects that have the user-selected attribute value for the attribute. This “group” icon preferably includes a numeric, textual or graphical representation to indicate the number of objects (or perhaps some given characteristic thereof) represented by the group icon.
Claims20
A method for displaying a network topology on a display device of a computer, comprising the steps of:
- presenting a set of attributes for network objects in the network;
- identifying an attribute and an attribute value according to user input;
- and
- displaying, as a single icon in the network topology, network objects that have the attribute value for the attribute.
A display method executable in a computer system having a processor and a display device, comprising steps executable in the processor for:
- compiling information about given characteristics of a computer network;
- using such information to generate a network topology map;
- and
- responsive to a user-selected display rule, rendering the network topology map on the display device in real-time, with a given icon representing a grouping of network objects.
A task deployment planning method in a distributed computer environment, comprising the steps of:
- discovering attribute values of a plurality of network objects;
- storing the attribute values in a database;
- and
- in response to a user-selectable grouping, building and displaying a topology map for use in planning the task deployment.
A task deployment method in a distributed computer environment, comprising the steps of:
- discovering attribute values of a plurality of network objects;
- storing the attribute values in a database;
- and
- in response to a user-selectable grouping, building a topology map;
- displaying the topology map;
- and
- using the topology map to deploy the task.
A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for use in controlling a display device of a computer, comprising:
- means for presenting a user with a set of attributes for network objects in the network;
- means for enabling the user to select an attribute and an attribute value;
- and
- means responsive to the selecting means for generating and displaying on the display device, as a single icon in the network topology, network objects that have the attribute value for the attribute.
A computer program product in a computer-readable medium for use in controlling a display device of a computer, comprising:
- means for compiling information about given characteristics of a computer network;
- means for using such information to generate a network topology map;
- and
- means responsive to entry of a user-selected display rule for rendering, in real-time, the network topology map on the display device with a given icon representing a grouping of network objects.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.