Route monitoring graphical user interface, system and method

Abstract

A network management method and system for managing a network in which routes between pairs of end points take different paths is provided. To begin, device level status and performance information is collected from the network and transformed into path and route information. Next, from the path and route information parameters which characterize the state of each of the routes are computed. Next, the parameters of each of the routes are displayed graphically. This allows a user to obtain a quick visual identification of the state of all of the routes in the network individually and in relation to one another. The invention also provides a network management graphical user interface method in which a 3-D representation of three axes is displayed. Each axis pertaining to a respective one of three route parameters. On these three axes, for each route a parameter point representing the routes parameters is displayed as a function of time. An instantaneous direction and rate of change for each parameter is computed. Each parameter point is displayed in the form of a cone having a central axis pointing in the instantaneous direction of the parameter point, and which has a length which is proportional to the rate of change of the corresponding parameter point.

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