Apparatus, system, and method for indicating a level of network activity
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsDaniel Joseph Dove, Kenneth Boyd Neal
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A controller generates a signal to control network activity-indicator devices based upon activity-level information provided by the central processing unit of a network component. This shifts the significant burden of controlling the indicator device from the central processing unit to the controller. The activity indicator-flashing pattern may change non-linearly relative to changes in the activity level to improve the quality of the information provided to network administrators. In addition, the flashing may also be randomized to provide a perception of actual network traffic patterns, and to reduce any appearance of correlated or synchronized flashing when multiple activity indicators are displayed.
Claims24
An activity-level indicator comprising:
- a controller disposed in a network component and operable to receive an activity level of a port from a processor disposed in the network component and associated with the port and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
An activity-level indicator comprising:
- a controller operable to receive an activity level of a port from a processor associated with the port and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the separation between pulses being a non-linear function of the activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
An activity-level indicator comprising:
- a controller operable to receive an activity level of a port from a processor associated with the port, and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the length of a separation being randomized within a predetermined range for that activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
A system for indicating the activity level of a port, comprising:
- a processor operable to receive port activity information and determine a port activity level;
- a controller operable to receive the port activity level, and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
A system for indicating the activity level of a port, comprising:
- a processor operable to receive port activity information, and determine a port activity level;
- a controller operable to receive the port activity level and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the separation between pulses being a non-linear function of the activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
A system for indicating the activity level of a port to a user, comprising:
- a processor operable to receive port activity information, and determine a port activity level;
- a controller operable to receive an activity level of a port, to generate a randomized number, and to generate a signal that is related to the activity level, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the length of a separation being randomized within a predetermined range for that activity level;
- and
- an indicator device coupled to the controller and operable to indicate the activity level in response to the signal.
A method of representing the activity level of a port, comprising the steps of:
- receiving port activity information with a processor disposed in a network component;
- determining a port activity level with the processor;
- generating a signal related to the port activity level with a controller that is separate from the processor and disposed in the network component;
- and
- indicating the activity level with an indicator device coupled to the controller and driven by the signal.
A method of representing the activity level of a port, comprising the steps of:
- receiving port activity information with a processor;
- determining a port activity level with a processor;
- generating a signal related to the port activity level with a controller that is separate from the processor, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the separation between pulses being a non-linear function of the activity level;
- and
- indicating the activity level with an indicator device coupled to the controller and driven by the signal.
A method of representing the activity level of a port, comprising the steps of:
- receiving port activity information with a processor;
- determining a port activity level with a processor;
- generating a signal related to the port activity level with a controller that is separate from the processor, the signal comprising a series of separated pulses, the length of a separation being randomized within a predetermined range for that activity level;
- and
- indicating the activity level with an indicator device coupled to the controller and driven by the signal.
An activity-level indicator comprising:
- means disposed in a network component for receiving an activity level of a port from a processor disposed in the network component and associated with the port and generating a signal that is related to the activity level;
- and
- means for indicating the activity level in response to the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.