Generating a configuration diagram based on user specification of a task

A system for providing configuration information to a client system, the system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory medium coupled to the processor;
• wherein the memory medium stores program instructions which are executable to:
• receive one or more requirements for a task to be performed by the client system, wherein the one or more requirements are provided in response to input from a user;
• programmatically analyze the one or more requirements;
• determine a current configuration of the client system;
• determine a plurality of products in response to said programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements and said determining the current configuration of the client system, wherein the plurality of products are operable to perform the task;
• and
• provide a diagram for display on the client system, wherein the diagram iconically represents the plurality of products, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of products are proposed products, wherein the diagram comprises a proposed configuration of the client system, comprising a plurality of device icons representing a plurality of devices of the plurality of products, and link icons between the device icons, wherein the link icons represent physical connections between the devices.

A system for providing configuration information to a client system, the system comprising:

• means for receiving one or more requirements for a task to be performed by the client system, wherein the one or more requirements are provided in response to input from a user;
• means for programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements;
• means for determining a current configuration of the client system;
• means for determining a plurality of products in response to said programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements and said determining the current configuration of the client system one or more requirements, wherein the plurality of products are operable to perform the task;
• and
• means for providing a diagram for display on the client system, wherein the diagram iconically represents the plurality of products, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of products are proposed products, wherein the diagram comprises a proposed configuration of the client system, comprising a plurality of device icons representing a plurality of devices of the plurality of products, and link icons between the device icons, wherein the link icons represent physical connections between the devices.

A method for providing configuration information to a client system, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more requirements for a task to be performed by the client system, wherein the one or more requirements are provided in response to input from a user;
• programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements;
• determining a current configuration of the client system;
• and
• programmatically generating a diagram for display on a display of the client system in response to said programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements and said determining the current configuration of the client system, wherein the diagram iconically represents a proposed system, where the proposed system is capable of performing the task indicated by the one or more requirements, wherein the diagram comprises a plurality of device icons representing a plurality of devices, and link icons between the device icons, wherein the link icons represent physical connections between the devices;
• wherein the diagram comprises information representing one or more products as proposed hardware and/or software products for the client system.

A method for providing configuration information to a client system, the method comprising:

• receiving one or more requirements for a task to be performed by the client system, wherein the one or more requirements are provided in response to input from a user;
• programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements;
• determining a current configuration of the client system;
• retrieving a diagram from a database, wherein said retrieving is performed based on said programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements and said determining the current configuration of the client system, wherein the diagram iconically represents a system that is operable to perform the task, wherein the diagram comprises a plurality of device icons representing a plurality of devices, and link icons between the device icons, wherein the link icons represent physical connections between the devices;
• and
• providing the diagram for display on the client system.

A computer-accessible memory medium that stores program instructions for providing configuration information to a client system, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to:

• receive one or more requirements for a task to be performed by the client system, wherein the one or more requirements are provided in response to input from a user;
• programmatically analyze the one or more requirements;
• determine a current configuration of the client system;
• determine a plurality of products in response to said programmatically analyzing the one or more requirements and said determining the current configuration of the client system, wherein the plurality of products are operable to perform the task;
• and
• providing a diagram for display on the client system, wherein the diagram iconically represents the plurality of products, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of products are proposed products, wherein the diagram comprises a proposed configuration of the client system, comprising a plurality of device icons representing a plurality of devices of the plurality of products, and link icons between the device icons, wherein the link icons represent physical connections between the devices.