Abstract:
A method for displaying a communication network in a graphical user interface (GUI) display is disclosed. The method includes displaying at least a portion of the communication network in the GUI display, including a plurality of network element icons representing a plurality of network elements and logical connections among the plurality of network element icons. The method further includes ascertaining a first set of properties associated with a first network element of the plurality of network elements, the first set of properties representing properties associated with the first network element in the communication network. The method additionally includes displaying at least one visual indicator in the GUI display, the at least one visual indicator being displayed in a visually connected manner with a first network element icon representing the first network element, the at least one visual indicator visually indicating in the GUI display that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element in the communication network.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Computer networks are pervasive these days. In a typical computer network, devices of different types are interconnected via switching elements, such as routers, switches, and hubs, to allow the devices to communicate among one another according to a predefined communication model.  
         [0002]     There are various ways in which networks can be configured into topologies required by applications using those networks. The simplest network tends to involve hardwiring the various devices together using appropriate switching elements and interconnecting media (e.g., conductive cables, fiber optic cables, the wireless medium, etc.). Although the hardwire approach works well for relatively small, static network configurations, it does not scale well and tends to result in networks that are difficult to manage and upgrade.  
         [0003]     Recently, there has been proposed a more flexible approach to building computer networks. Instead of constructing each network topology piecemeal by hardwiring the devices together, the devices are viewed as belonging to a common pool of resources. In some cases, the devices are disposed in a hierarchical tree topology. A hierarchical tree topology is used since devices in the tree communicate among themselves along deterministic communication paths, thereby simplifying the provisioning and upgrade tasks. Within the hierarchical tree topology, the devices are then interconnected using a pool of switching elements. Depending on how the switching elements are configured, various logical networks can be constructed from this common pool of devices and switching elements (e.g., switches, routers, and hubs) using, for example, a virtual local area network (VLAN) technology. A discussion of one exemplary VLAN technology may be obtained from the IEEE 802.1 Q working group (http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/1/, September 2002)  
         [0004]     Under this approach, any number of logical network topologies can be constructed from the physical network if there are sufficient resources in the common pool of network elements (i.e., devices and switching elements such as switches, routers, and hubs).  
         [0005]     Consider the following example. An organization may wish to create or upgrade to a three-tier application topology having two database servers, five application servers, four web servers, and a firewall for Internet access. From this specification and the communication model, which governs the communication policy (including the expected bandwidth usage) for each device required for the application, the necessary devices (e.g., database servers, application servers, web servers, and firewalls) may be picked from the common pool of devices and interconnected using the switching elements in the tree.  
         [0006]     Thus, the construction of a logical network topology becomes an exercise in selecting and/or configuring the required devices from the pool of available devices existing in the tree hierarchy and selecting and/or configuring the switching elements appropriately to interconnect the devices as specified by the communication model and the logical specification.  
         [0007]     The tasks of selecting and/or configuring the devices and switching elements (collectively “network elements”) are typically accomplished by an operator using an appropriate control console. Using an appropriate control software, e.g., a network configuration portal, the operator may select the required network element icons (e.g. device icons and switching element icons). For example, certain network configuration portal may include a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow the operator to drag-and-drop or otherwise select the required network element icons.  
         [0008]     The operator may further configure the required network elements with the desired properties. For example, load balancers may be associated with different properties, including the specific policy for balancing (e.g., round robin, least connectivity, etc.) Likewise, properties for application/database servers may include, among others, the type of server, backup frequency, etc. Properties for subnets may include, among others, whether the subnet is publicly routable, whether the subnet is in a specific group, etc. Properties for firewalls may include, among others, the brand and software, ACL (Allow Access), etc. Properties for virtual private networks (VPNs) may include, among others, protocol (PAP, CHAP, EAP, etc.). Properties for connections may include, among others, type (co-axial, twisted pair, wireless, fiber optic, etc.), the allowed bandwidth, the carrier frequency, and the like.  
         [0009]     With a GUI-based network configuration portal, the configuration task for a network element may be accomplished by, for example, right-clicking on each network element icon. Right-clicking on a network element icon allows the operator to view the properties of that selected network element, and the operator may then change any of the properties associated with a network element if desired. Once the operator de-selects a network element icon, e.g., by selecting another network element icon to view its properties, the properties of the newly selected network element icon are displayed for viewing and/or modification, and the properties associated with the previously selected network element icon become hidden from view. Thus, by toggling among different network element icons, the operator can ascertain the properties associated with various network elements of the newly constructed logical network.  
         [0010]     While such approach may be workable for relatively small networks, e.g., those with only a few network elements, the task loading on the operator increases dramatically for larger networks. For example, if an error is reported and the operator needs to quickly ascertain whether any of the network elements has been improperly configured with the incorrect properties, the operator may need to toggle among different network element icons to view their properties until the problem is found. To an impatient customer waiting for the logical network to be repaired quickly, such a time-consuming approach is unacceptable.  
         [0011]     Furthermore, during the initial configuration phase, the properties that can be associated with a network element may depend on the properties accorded to other network elements that affect it. For example, the properties to be associated with a virtual private network (VPN) may depend on the properties accorded to the servers and computers connected to that VPN. Using the prior art GUI-based network configuration portal, the operator must take note and/or remember the properties associated with other network elements while configuring up a given network element. If the operator does not remember, he has to double-click on one or more of the other network element icons to ascertain their properties in order to allow him to properly configure the given network element. The lack of user-friendliness and the cumbersome manner with which configuration is performed using the prior art GUI-based network configuration portal increases the chance for errors as well as the time it takes to configure a logical network.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0012]     These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures.  
         [0013]     The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method for displaying a communication network in a graphical user interface (GUI) display. The method includes displaying at least a portion of the communication network in the GUI display, including a plurality of network element icons representing a plurality of network elements and logical connections among the plurality of network element icons. The method further includes ascertaining a first set of properties associated with a first network element of the plurality of network elements, the first set of properties representing properties associated with the first network element in the communication network. The method additionally includes displaying at least one visual indicator in the GUI display, the at least one visual indicator being displayed in a visually connected manner with a first network element icon representing the first network element, the at least one visual indicator visually indicating in the GUI display that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element in the communication network.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for displaying a communication network in a graphical user interface (GUI) display. The method includes displaying at least a portion of the communication network in the GUI display, including a plurality of network element icons representing a plurality of network elements and logical connections among the plurality of network element icons. The method additionally includes ascertaining a first set of properties associated with a first network element of the plurality of network elements, the first set of properties representing properties associated with the first network element in the communication network. The method also includes ascertaining a second set of properties associated with a second network element of the plurality of network elements, the second set of properties representing properties associated with the second network element in the communication network. The method also includes visually indicating in the GUI display that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element in the communication network. The method also includes visually indicating in the GUI display, simultaneously with the visually indicating that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element, that the second set of properties is associated with the second network element in the communication network.  
         [0015]     In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to an article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein, the computer readable code being configured to display a communication network in a graphical user interface (GUI) display. There is included computer readable code for displaying at least a portion of the communication network in the GUI display, including a plurality of network element icons representing a plurality of network elements and logical connections among the plurality of network element icons. There is further included computer readable code for ascertaining a first set of properties associated with a first network element of the plurality of network elements, the first set of properties representing properties associated with the first network element in the communication network and for ascertaining a second set of properties associated with a second network element of the plurality of network elements, the second set of properties representing properties associated with the second network element in the communication network. There is additionally included computer readable code for visually indicating in the GUI display that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element in the communication network and for visually indicating in the GUI display, simultaneously with the visually indicating that the first set of properties is associated with the first network element, that the second set of properties is associated with the second network element in the communication network. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a prior art illustration of a logical network topology rendered in a graphical user interface (GUI) computer screen.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated GUI control console view.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to configure a network element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the steps taken when rendering a network element icon with associated property visual indicator(s).  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a table illustrating, in accordance with one embodiment, some exemplary network elements and their potential associated properties. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention.  
         [0023]     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a graphical user interface for displaying network element icons wherein selected properties associated with the network elements are displayed in an integrated view along with the network layout. With the properties visually indicated in an integrated view, the operator can tell quickly at a glance the important properties associated with each network element without having to toggle among network element icons, as in the case with the prior art. Furthermore, the integrated view permit the operator to rapidly ascertain, during network configuration time, the properties associated with network elements other than the network element undergoing configuration. As mentioned, the properties associated with a given network element undergoing configuration may vary depending on the properties of other network elements that may interact with it. Accordingly, the ability to quickly ascertain the properties of other network elements in a private network allows the operator to more rapidly and accurately configure a given network element.  
         [0024]     In the utility network context, this feature is particularly important. If the properties of a network element is incorrectly configured, and the error can only be ascertained when the properties of that network element are viewed in context of the properties accorded to other network elements, the ability to view the entire logical network, its network elements, and the properties associated with the network elements all in a single integrated GUI is almost a necessity for error analysis and error correction purposes.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, a network element icon may have a default visual appearance, which signifies a default property. As the operator selects a network element icon for configuration, the properties available to that network element is displayed for selection. Once the operator selects the property or properties, the visual appearance of the network element icon changes to reflect the properties newly selected for the associated network element.  
         [0026]     The visual change to the network element icon may include, for example, the addition and/or deletion of a visual element, a change in color, shading, texture, background color, shape, text, and/or size. Furthermore, labeling in the form of text may also be employed to indicate the properties selected in the integrated view. If desired, various formats may be applied to the textual label to indicate different properties. Note that the visual indicator for the property or properties may represent an additional element on the display screen, or the same network element icon with a different visual appearance than the default network element icon.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment, the operator may designate only some of the selected properties to be visually indicated in the integrated view. This may be useful in cases where a network element may have multiple selected properties, and the operator may not wish to crowd the integrated view with all the selected properties. In this embodiment, certain properties may have an option, which the operator can employ to indicate whether a selected property would be visually indicated in the integrated view. The operator may then designate as few or as many of the properties to be visually indicated as desired.  
         [0028]     The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the figures and drawings that follow.  FIG. 1  is a prior art illustration of a logical network topology rendered in a graphical user interface (GUI) computer screen, in which there are four hosts  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 . Note that only the relevant portion of the GUI screen is shown in  FIG. 1 ; other portions have been omitted for ease of illustration.  
         [0029]     Hosts  102  and  104  are connected to a subnet  110 , while hosts  106  and  108  are connected to a subnet  112 . Subnet  112  is also connected to a virtual private network (VPN)  114  and firewall  122  as shown. Firewall  122  is in turn connected to a subnet  132 . Subnet  110  is connected to a load balancer  124 , which is in turn connected to a subnet  134 . A firewall  142  is disposed between and connect subnets  132  and  134  with a public subnet  152 .  
         [0030]     Although not seen in  FIG. 1 , the various network element icons of  FIG. 1  have associated properties. These properties may be viewed by right clicking on the network element icon. The right clicking action results in a pop-up screen (not shown) in which the properties associated with the selected network element are displayed, along with the status for each property (i.e., whether a particular property is selected for that network element icon). However, in the control console view of  FIG. 1 , these properties cannot be seen.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the integrated GUI control console view. In the integrated GUI view of  FIG. 2 , the same logical network as that represented by the prior art GUI control console view of  FIG. 1  is depicted. However, each network element icon in  FIG. 2  includes one or more visual indicators to indicate the properties selected. For example, hosts  202  and  204  include respective visual indicators  202   a  and  204   a  to indicate that the associated backup policy is nightly backup. Host  206  includes a visual indicator  206   a  (which is longer visually than visual indicator  202   a  in the example of  FIG. 2 ) to indicate that the associated backup policy is weekly.  
         [0032]     Subnet  210  has a visual indicator  210   a  (in the form of a globe icon in the example of  FIG. 2 ) to indicate that it is public routable, while subnet  212  without any visual indication, thereby implicitly indicating that it is private. Load balancer  224  is associated with a visual indicator  224   a  (in the form of a little circle in the example of  FIG. 2 ) to indicate that its policy is Round Robin. Firewall  254  has a plurality of arrow-shaped visual indicators to indicate the permitted accesses ( 254   a  from subnet  232  to subnet  234 ,  254   b  from subnet  232  to public subnet  252 , and  254   c  between subnet  234  and public subnet  252 ). Each firewall in  FIG. 2  also has an additional visual indicator to indicate the brand. Firewall  254  is indicated by a visual indicator  254   d  to be a Cisco firewall, and firewall  222  is indicated by a visual indicator  222   a  to be a Checkpoint firewall. VPN  214  has the text visual indicator  214   a  to indicate that it employs the protocol EAP.  
         [0033]     Note that the visual indicator is displayed in a visually connected manner with its respective network element icon. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the visual connection is done by placing the visual indicator in close proximity to its respective network element icon. However, other ways to visually indicate a connection, such as an arrow, a line, or other techniques of visual association, may well be employed. If two or more network elements have properties that can be visually indicated, the visual indications for the properties for the multiple networks elements would be displayed simultaneously in a visually connected manner with the displayed network element icons, and the visual indications are preferably in the same window of the GUI display. However, it is possible to also provide windows visually connected to some or all of the network element icons to allow the properties for the multiple network elements to be visually indicated simultaneously on the GUI display.  
         [0034]     Even the absence of a visual indicator may also be used to indicate certain property. For example, the absence of a visual indicator may be used to implicitly signify that the associated network element icon is associated with a certain property.  
         [0035]     With the integrated GUI view of  FIG. 2 , the operator can tell quickly at a glance the relevant properties associated with each network element. This feature vastly simplifies and speeds up the trouble-shooting process should there exist an error caused by incorrect network element configuration. Since speed is of the essence in the competitive utility computing market, the integrated GUI feature offers lessors of utility computers a competitive advantage.  
         [0036]     Furthermore, during network configuration time, the operator may quickly ascertain the properties of other network elements (e.g., hosts  202  and  204  via associated visual indicators  202   a  and  204   a ) and may employ the information to more quickly ascertain the properties to be accorded to a given network element (load balancer  224 , for example).  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the steps employed to configure a network element in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In step  302 , the operator selects a network element icon to configure the associated network element. The selection of a network element icon may be accomplished using any pre-defined mouse or input device input gesture, e.g., right clicking. This network element icon may be previously placed into the integrated GUI area by a drag-and-drop operation from a palette, for example.  
         [0038]     In step  304 , the operator selects properties to be associated with the network element whose network element icon was selected in step  302 . Multiple properties may be selected if desired.  
         [0039]     In step  306 , the operator may optionally designate which of the properties selected in step  304  would be visually indicated in the integrated GUI view. This optional step may be useful in situations wherein it is undesirable to crowd the integrated view with less relevant property visual indicators. Of course some properties may be designated such that they are always visually indicated in the integrated GUI view if selected.  
         [0040]     In step  308 , the operator may optionally select the visual indicator to be associated with the chosen properties. Generally speaking, each property is associated with a respective default visual indicator, but the operator may change the visual indicator associated with a given property if desired.  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the steps taken when rendering a network element icon with associated property visual indicator(s). In step  402 , the network element icon is displayed. Generally speaking, the list of network elements associated with a given logical network may be stored in a file, and the network element icons therefore may be displayed on the console for viewing by the operator. In step  404 , a database is consulted to ascertain the set of properties selected for the network element icon displayed in step  402 , and if there is one or more properties selected in the set, whether those selected properties should be displayed in the form of property visual indicators in the integrated GUI view. In step  406 , the property visual indicators associated with the properties that have been selected and designated to be displayed are rendered in the integrated GUI view.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a table illustrating, in accordance with one embodiment, some exemplary network elements and their potential associated properties.  
         [0043]     As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the integrated GUI view of the present invention, with its integrated property visual indicators for the network element icons, permit the operator to quickly at a glance the important properties associated with each network element. If the properties associated with a network element is erroneously configured, this error can be quickly discovered from the integrated GUI view. The speed advantage offered by the present invention is particularly important in the competitive utility computing market since customers associate extended down time with poor customer service, which affects the marketability of the utility computing service and customer satisfaction. Furthermore, since properties to be associated with a network element may be determined by the properties associated with other network elements of the logical network, the ability to quickly ascertain the properties of other network elements in a private network allows the operator to more rapidly and accurately configure a particular network element in the network.  
         [0044]     While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.