Patent Abstract:
A method for automatically indicating status information of a measuring system via an output device includes assigning status information to respective status ranges according to at least one predetermined condition, the status ranges being limited by at least one threshold value. The status ranges are individually outputted. The status information is automatically updated at a predetermined time interval.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/DE2003/00539, filed Feb. 21, 2003, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102 10 707.6, filed Mar. 12, 2002. 
   The present invention relates to a method for outputting status data of a measuring system in a telecommunications network, the status data including the status of components in the measuring system, connections in the measuring system, and/or measurement results of the measuring system. 
   BACKGROUND 
   A contract between a network operator and customers may offer the customer guaranteed characteristics in the telecommunications network, such as an upper limit for the packet delay and IP delay variations, which is particularly important for IP telephony and video conferencing. 
   Consequently, quality characteristics are guaranteed in the telecommunications network, which are made up of the unidirectional packet delay and the parameters derivable therefrom. Thus, the intention is to guarantee the customer maximum values for one or more of these parameters in the telecommunications network, for example, packet delays, IP delay variations and packet losses and/or minimum values for the throughput. 
   Moreover, compliance with these values must be verifiable the network operator and the customer. 
   Therefore, unidirectional measurement connections are established between measuring computers. On these measurement connections, measurement packets are sent from a measuring computer serving as a sender to a measuring computer serving as a receiver with a configurable distribution in time. The measurement packets contain, inter alia, time stamps and sequence numbers. To be able to measure the one-way delay, the time stamps at the measuring computer serving as a sender and the measuring computer serving as a receiver must be time-synchronized with sufficient accuracy. A technical implementation is, for example, the generation of time stamps via the GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers. This allows the time stamps to be generated with an error of ±½ μs. 
   The measurement results are retrieved from the measuring computers by a control computer controlling the measuring computers and stored in a database, where they are made available for visualization. The customer and the service provider need to get a prompt overview of the status of the measurement connections and of the measuring system. In this context, “prompt” means that a change in the status of the measurement connections or of the measuring system is indicated as quickly as possible. In particular, when using a plurality of measuring computers, which may also be assigned to different control computers, a large amount of information—status data—is generated. The problem here is that, due to the large amount of information, one loses track of important messages that would possibly require measures to ensure transmission quality. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for outputting status data including at least at least one of a status of a component of a measuring system, a status of a connection of the measuring system, and a measurement result of the measuring system, in such a manner that an overview of the overall situation is made available in a simple manner, even for a large amount of status data, while avoiding the above-mentioned disadvantages. 
   The present invention provides a method for automatically indicating status information via an output device, the status information including at least one of a status of a component of a measuring system, a status of a connection of the measuring system, and a measurement result of the measuring system. The method includes: 
   assigning first status information to a first status range of a plurality of fixed status ranges according to at least one first predetermined condition, the first status range being limited by at least one first threshold value; 
   outputting the assigned first status range; and 
   automatically updating the first status information at a predetermined time interval. 
   The present invention includes the discovery that the number of pieces of information can be reduced and weighted in a simple manner by assigning status data to certain ranges according to predetermined conditions. The user is only informed of the status range, and thus of the quality level, the status data was assigned to. This then allows the user to draw conclusions, for example, for the measures to be taken to ensure the transmission quality in a telecommunications network. 
   Therefore, according to the present invention, the status data is at least partially assigned to fixed status ranges according to predetermined conditions, and the respective assigned status ranges are individually output, thus allowing easy identification of the status range the status data was assigned to. Preferably, the status ranges may be limited by at least one threshold value so that when this threshold value is exceeded, the status data is assigned to a different status range. 
   To prepare the status data for the user in as simple a manner as possible, the output device displays the status data in a graphic along with the assigned status range. This graphic can take the form of a matrix. 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, the graphic is implemented in the form of a graphical user interface, for example, using a windows technique; at least individual status ranges of the graphical user interface having further, underlying representation levels which are made visible by activation in the status range lying thereabove. 
   These graphical user interfaces (GUI) are now widely used as a man-machine interface in computer applications. The graphical user interfaces simplify working with a computer system because they eliminate the need to enter complex textual commands to execute programs. Instead, intuitive graphical symbols (Icons), which correspond to the commands mentioned, are provided on a display screen, i.e., the output device, of the computer system. 
   Also part of this graphical user interface is a pointing element, which is used in the graphical user interface with the aid of a mouse, trackball, or keyboard. In a graphical user interface, the pointing element, which is generally represented as a pointer, is positioned on an object on the desktop to initiate an action. An object may be, for example, the icon of a program, or an element of the above-mentioned window. The positioning of the pointer above the object may already be an event that causes the computer system to perform a specific action, such as popping up a menu, or displaying information intended to help a user. 
   This method of displaying information is also referred to as “tooltip”. Tooltips are, in particular, small help windows explaining the buttons of the graphical user interface, or providing further information about the status data and/or status ranges. 
   In the further representation levels of the graphical user interface, which may take the form of underlying windows or tooltips, the status data and/or the status ranges assigned to the status data are displayed in an increasingly detailed manner. 
   To simplify the identification of the important information, the individual status ranges are individualized by giving them different colors. 
   In addition, preferably, the ranges reflecting, in particular, the magnitude of a measurement result, several measurement results and/or the values describing a status of a component of the measuring system, together form a hierarchy. 
   According to one embodiment of the present invention, the measuring system has at least two measuring computers and a control computer controlling the measuring computers. Here, the status data is based on the status of the measuring computers, the quality of the measurement connection between the measuring computers, the reachability of the measuring computers by the control computer, the time synchronization of the measuring computers and/or the currentness of the status data. 
   In this connection, when the representation is in the form of a matrix, the first column of the matrix displays status data relating to the status of the individual measuring computers; each field of the first column of the matrix being assigned to a measuring computer. 
   In particular, each measuring computer is represented in its field in the first column by its identifier—name, IP address, or similar. 
   The status data that belongs to a field of the first column of the matrix and is based on the status of the respective measuring computer is made up of the status of the time synchronization of the measuring computer, the reachability of the measuring computer by the control computer, and error messages of the measuring system regarding this measuring computer. 
   In this connection, the individual assignments of a measuring computer to a control computer are each shown in the first row of the matrix; each field of the first row of the matrix showing an assignment to a measuring computer. 
   The matrix fields arranged in row two and the following as well as in column two and the following each indicate the status of the measurement connections between the individual measuring computers, for the purpose of which the measuring computers are arranged in the first column from top to bottom in a predetermined order, and, in the first row, the assignment of the measuring computers is arranged in the same order from left to right in terms of their assignment to a control computer. 
   Preferably, one of these fields of the matrix in each case indicates a measurement connection or several measurement connections of a measuring computer to another measuring computer in one direction, and the corresponding field symmetrical to the diagonal of the matrix indicates the reverse direction of the measurement connection or connections. 
   The status of the respective measurement connection is made up of the assignment of the measurement results regarding the quality of the measurement connection to status ranges, of the time synchronization of the measuring computers and/or the currentness of the measurement results. 
   The matrix fields arranged in row two and the following as well as in column two and the following each have a second representation level in which the status of the measurement connection is shown in more detail. 
   In particular, the further representation level indicates the type of the measurement connection as well as the status of the individual measurement parameters determining the quality of the measurement connection between the respective measuring computers. Here, the status of the measurement parameters can be made up of the transmission characteristics in the measurement connection, such as the packet delay, IP delay variations, packet losses, or the like. 
   Moreover, the second representation level may have a subordinate third representation level in which the measurement results are shown in detail over a predetermined period of time. The fields of the first row and column of the matrix may be provided with a subordinate second representation level in which the system messages are displayed. 
   The measurement results are retrieved from the measuring computers by the control computer and stored in a database, where they are made available for visualization. Offline display of the measuring results and other status data is via a browser. In this context, “offline” means that the display of the measurement results and other status data must be initiated manually while in the case of online visualization, this is done automatically at certain time intervals. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages, features and possible uses of the present invention for outputting status data will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a telecommunications network including a three measuring computers for carrying out the method according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  schematically shows the graphical user interface in a first representation level in the form of a status matrix; 
       FIG. 3  shows a further representation level of the status matrix of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  schematically shows a graphic of measurement results over a measurement connection. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  schematically shows a telecommunications network  10  including a plurality of switching devices  12  through  24  interconnected via trunk lines  26 . Switching device  12  is assigned to a first measuring computer  28 , switching device  16  is assigned to a second measuring computer  30 , and switching device  18  is assigned to a third measuring computer  32 . A measurement program for measuring the unidirectional transmission characteristics is installed in each measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
   Each measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  is connected to a GPS antenna (Global Positioning System) and provided with a GPS map for processing the data received via the GPS antenna. The GPS antenna and the GPS map together form GPS unit  34 , which interacts with a plurality of satellites  34   a.    
   The connection between first measuring computer  28 , switching device  12 , switching device  14 , switching device  16 , and second measuring computer  30  forms first measurement path  36  shown in dashed lines. The connection between second measuring computer  30 , switching device  16 , switching device  18 , and third measuring computer  32  forms second measurement path  38 , which is also shown in dashed lines. 
   Switching device  24  is assigned a control computer  40 . Control computer  40  interacts with a database  42 , to which is connected an output device in the form of an output computer  44  having a display screen. 
   Telecommunications network  10  is, for example, the Internet or an intranet. 
   The goal of the measurement system is, for example, to determine the packet delay from first measuring computer  28  via measurement path  36  to second measuring computer  30 . Thus, the measurement connection is a unidirectional measurement connection, where separate measurement packets are sent from first measuring computer  28  to second measuring computer  30 . 
   On measurement path  36 , measurement packets are sent from first measuring computer  28  to second measuring computer  30  with an adjustable distribution in time (for example, a constant or exponential distribution). In the process, the measurement packets are dispatched using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). This is a connectionless Internet transport protocol based on IP. The measurement packets contain, inter alia, time stamps and sequence numbers. 
   To allow the unidirectional delay to be measured with sufficient accuracy, the time stamps are generated, for example, by GPS unit  34 . This allows the time stamps to be generated with an error of ±½ μs. Here, first measuring computer  28  sets the time stamp shortly (as shortly as possible) before the first bit of the measurement packet is sent. 
   The measurement packet is sent to second measuring computer  30  via measurement path  36 , i.e. via trunk line  26 , switching exchange  12 , switching exchange  14 , and switching exchange  16 . When the last bit of the measurement packet is received at second measuring computer  30 , the second time stamp is recorded. The second time stamp is generated by second measuring computer  30 , for example, also by a GPS unit  34 . 
   Then, the packet delay is calculated from the time stamps taking into account a computer-related time slice; and this value is transmitted to control computer  40  as a measurement result and stored in database  42 . The results are continuously displayed online via output computer  44 . The measurement packets sent via measurement path  36  can also be used to determine the IP delay variations as well as packet losses, and the like. This data is then stored in database  42  accordingly. 
   Based on these values, the quality of measurement path  36 , i.e., the connection between first measuring computer  28  and second measuring computer  30 , can be determined and monitored. The same method can also be used on measurement path  38 , and also for further measurement paths not shown here. In this manner, a large amount of data is generated and stored in database  42 . 
   The above-mentioned measurement results—status data—are retrieved from measuring computers  28 ,  30  and  32  by control computer  40  and stored in database  40 , where they are made available for visualization. 
   Output computer  44  has a graphical configuration interface as well as a graphical user interface for online and offline operation; the interfaces being used to visualize the status data stored in database  42 . 
   The graphical user interface is used, in particular, for output and processing of the status data. 
     FIG. 2  shows a graphical user interface  46  for displaying the status data stored in database  42  via output computer  44 . 
   In its first representation level, graphical user interface  46  has a status matrix  48  shown in  FIG. 2 . Located in a further representation level under status matrix  48  are, first of all, a detailed status display and, secondly, a system message display. 
   The status data is assigned to fixed status ranges according to predetermined conditions. These respective assigned status ranges are individually shown marked in color, thus allowing easy identification of the status ranges the status data was assigned to, and of the quality requirements that are met. 
   For example, the status of the components of the measuring system shown in  FIG. 1  and of the measurement connections is visualized for the user by the colors gray, green, yellow, and red. The colors used have the meaning shown in Table 1. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
               Possible cause 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Gray 
               Nothing to observe 
                 
             
             
                 
               Green 
               Everything OK 
             
             
                 
               Yellow 
               Alert situation 
               For example, a level 1 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               threshold value for a 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               measurement connection was 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               exceeded 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               Alarm situation 
               For example, a level 2 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               threshold value for a 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               measurement connection was 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               exceeded, or a system 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               component is no longer 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               available. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The colors may also be associated with an audible output, if desired. 
   The uppermost level of graphical user interface  46  is made up of status matrix  48  shown in  FIG. 2 . Here, the status of the components of the measuring system shown in  FIG. 1  and of the measurement connections over measurement paths  36  and  38  is displayed. The display is updated at intervals of about one minute. Status matrix  48  is divided into several subregions. In first column  50 , the fields arranged below each other are numbered serially from top to bottom, and measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  are listed. In the following, it is assumed that there are nine measuring computers. The IP addresses or the names of the measuring computers are displayed next to the continuous numbers so that the user can easily associate the field in column  50  with the corresponding measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32 . The current status of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  is visualized by the color in the fields of first column  50 . In this context, the status of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  is influenced by three things: 
   a) the display of the status of the time synchronization of measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32 ; 
   b) the display of the reachability of measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  by control computer  40 ; 
   c) the display of whether there exist system messages of the status “error” or “alerts” generated by measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
   In first column  50 , in each case the color representing the worst status is displayed. 
   In this connection, the following cases are distinguished: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 2 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Green 
               Synchronized (GPS, highly 
               The measuring computer is synchronized 
             
             
                 
               accurate) 
               using a GPS unit (synchronization error &lt;1 μs). 
             
             
                 
               Synchronized (NTP, accurate) 
               The measuring computer has no GPS unit. 
             
             
                 
                 
               Synchronization is via NTP (synchronization 
             
             
                 
                 
               error &lt;1 ms). 
             
             
               Yellow 
               Synchronized (NTP, accurate) 
               The measuring computer does have a GPS 
             
             
                 
                 
               unit, but obviously, GPS synchronization is 
             
             
                 
                 
               currently not possible. Possible causes: 
             
             
                 
                 
               Antenna/antenna feeder defective, antenna has 
             
             
                 
                 
               no visual contact with at least 4 satellites of 
             
             
                 
                 
               the GPS. Synchronization is via NTP 
             
             
                 
                 
               (synchronization error &lt;1 ms). Switchover to 
             
             
                 
                 
               NTP synchronization occurs automatically. 
             
             
                 
               Synchronized (NTP, inaccurate) 
               Synchronization is via NTP (synchronization 
             
             
                 
                 
               error &lt;2 ms). No information whether a GPS 
             
             
                 
                 
               unit is present. 
             
             
               Red 
               Not synchronized 
               The measuring computer is not synchronized. 
             
             
                 
                 
               The measuring computer has no GPS unit, and 
             
             
                 
                 
               synchronization via NTP is not configured. 
             
             
                 
               Not synchronized (GPS) 
               The measuring computer is not synchronized. 
             
             
                 
                 
               The measuring computer has a GPS unit. 
             
             
                 
                 
               Obviously, GPS synchronization is currently 
             
             
                 
                 
               not possible. Synchronization via NTP is not 
             
             
                 
                 
               configured. 
             
             
                 
               Not synchronized (NTP) 
               The measuring computer is not synchronized. 
             
             
                 
                 
               The measuring computer has no GPS unit. 
             
             
                 
                 
               Synchronization via NTP is configured, but 
             
             
                 
                 
               obviously currently not possible or not 
             
             
                 
                 
               accurate enough (NTP synchronization may 
             
             
                 
                 
               take several hours until the synchronization 
             
             
                 
                 
               error is &lt;2 ms). 
             
             
                 
               Not synchronized (GPS, NTP) 
               The measuring computer is not synchronized. 
             
             
                 
                 
               The measuring computer has a GPS unit. 
             
             
                 
                 
               Obviously, GPS synchronization is currently 
             
             
                 
                 
               not possible. Synchronization via NTP is 
             
             
                 
                 
               configured, but obviously currently not 
             
             
                 
                 
               possible or not accurate enough (NTP 
             
             
                 
                 
               synchronization may take several hours until 
             
             
                 
                 
               the synchronization error is &lt;2 ms). 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The display text shown in column 2 in Table 2 is stored as a tooltip in the respective field of first column  50  of status matrix  48 , and is therefore displayed when the pointing element is positioned and left on a field in column  50  of status matrix  48 . 
   Thus, the color selection corresponds to status ranges with regard to the time synchronization of measuring computers  28 ,  30  and  32 . 
   As mentioned above, time synchronization may be done using GPS unit  34 . Alternatively, it is also possible to perform time synchronization via NTP (Network Time Protocol). In the process, local clock  34   b  is synchronized. 
   Time synchronization via GPS unit  34  is more accurate than via NTP. Consequently, the type of time synchronization is included as status data for the assignment of the measuring computer to a status range. 
   The reachability of measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  by control computer  40  enters into the evaluation as further status data for the assignment of a measuring computer to a status range. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 3 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               (No specific text) 
               The last contact between the 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               measuring computer and the 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               control computer was less 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               than 5 minutes ago. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               Not reachable 
               There has been no contact 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               with the measuring computer 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               for at least 5 minutes. 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               Possible causes: The 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               connection to the measuring 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               computer was interrupted, or 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               the measuring computer did 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               not start up, or is no longer 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               running. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The text in column 2 in Table 3 is also stored as a tooltip, and a corresponding display text is displayed when the pointing element is positioned and left in first column  50  of status matrix  48 . 
   Furthermore, the status data included for the assignment of the status of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  to predetermined status ranges correspondingly marked in color also includes system messages of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 4 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               (No specific text) 
               No unacknowledged errors or 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               alerts present. 
             
             
                 
               Yellow 
               (No specific text) 
               There is at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               unacknowledged alert (but no 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               error). 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               (No specific text) 
               There is at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               unacknowledged error. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In first row  52  of status matrix  48 , the fields are assigned to measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 ; the left-to-right order corresponding to the top-to-bottom order in first column  50  with regard to measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 . The fields of first row  52  display the assignment of the respective measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  to control computer  40 , of which also a plurality of control computers  40  may be present in telecommunications network  10 . 
   This assignment, too, is assigned to a status range marked in color. This status range is influenced by the following status data: 
   a) the assignment of the respective measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  to an operational control computer  40 ; 
   b) the display of the reachability of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  by control computer  40 ; 
   c) the display of whether there exist system messages of the status “error” or “alerts” generated by control computer  40 . 
   In first row  52 , in each case the color representing the worst status is displayed. 
   In the context of the assignment of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  to a control computer  40 , the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 5 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Red 
               Invalid or not defined 
               This measuring computer was 
             
             
                 
                 
               not assigned to a control 
             
             
                 
                 
               computer. 
             
             
               Green 
               (No specific text) 
               This measuring computer is 
             
             
                 
                 
               assigned to a control 
             
             
                 
                 
               computer. 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The text in column 2 of Table 5 is stored as a tooltip, and a corresponding display text is displayed when the pointing element is positioned and left in the field of first row  52  of status matrix  48 . 
   In the context of the reachability of measuring computers  28 ,  30  and  32  by control computer  40 , the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 6 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Red 
               Not reachable 
               The last status update was at 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               least 5 minutes ago. 
             
             
                 
               Green 
               Reachable 
               The control computer updated 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               the status less than 5 minutes 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               ago. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The text in the second column of Table 6 is stored as a tooltip, and a corresponding display text is displayed when the pointing element is positioned and left in the field of first row  52  of status matrix  48 . 
   In the context of the system messages of measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  and control computer  40 , the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 7 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Display text 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               (No specific text) 
               No unacknowledged errors or 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               alerts present. 
             
             
                 
               Yellow 
               (No specific text) 
               There is at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               unacknowledged alert (but no 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               error). 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               (No specific text) 
               There is at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               unacknowledged error. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The remaining region of status matrix  48 , i.e., rows  2  through  10  and columns  2  through  10 , form the third region  54  of status matrix  48 . In this region  54 , the status of the measurement connections between measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  is displayed. The status of the measurement connections is influenced by the following status data: 
   a) whether so-called “threshold values” are defined; 
   b) whether these threshold values are currently met; 
   c) whether measurement packets were received in the last time interval taken as a basis for threshold value monitoring; 
   d) whether the two measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  communicating with each other are sufficiently time-synchronized; 
   e) whether the two measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32  communicating with each other are reachable by control computer  40 . 
   Each field of this third region identifies the respective measurement connection(s) from one measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  to the other measuring computer  28 ,  30 ,  32  in one direction, i.e., unidirectionally. The opposite direction is shown in the respective field of third region  54  symmetrical to the diagonal (represented in black). 
   In third region  54 , in each case the color representing the worst status is displayed. In the context of the definition of threshold values, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color. In this connection, in principle, different levels are conceivable for the threshold values. In the following, only two levels are entered, namely a pre-alert value—level 1—and an alarm value—level 2—. The threshold values may be defined independently of each other for each traffic class and each measurement parameter, such as propagation delay, IP delay variations, and packet loss. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
               TABLE 8 
             
             
                 
             
             
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               Gray 
               No threshold value was defined for either of 
             
             
                 
               the measurement connections between these 
             
             
                 
               measuring computers. 
             
             
               Same as Tables 9 and 10 
               For at least one of the measurement 
             
             
                 
               connections, at least one threshold value was 
             
             
                 
               defined at least for one measurement 
             
             
                 
               parameter. 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In the context of threshold value monitoring, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 9 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               No threshold value was exceeded for either of 
             
             
                 
                 
               the measurement connections between these 
             
             
                 
                 
               measuring computers. 
             
             
                 
               Yellow 
               For at least one of the measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               connections between these measuring 
             
             
                 
                 
               computers, at least one level 1 threshold value 
             
             
                 
                 
               was exceeded, but no level 2 threshold value. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               At least one level 2 threshold value was 
             
             
                 
                 
               exceeded for at least one of the measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               connections between these measuring 
             
             
                 
                 
               computers. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In the context of the reception of measurement packets in the time interval, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 10 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               In the last time interval, at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement packet was received for all 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement connections between the two 
             
             
                 
                 
               measuring computers. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               For at least one of the measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               connections between the two measuring 
             
             
                 
                 
               computers, no measurement packet was 
             
             
                 
                 
               received in the last time interval. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In the context of the time synchronization of the measuring computers, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 11 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               Both measuring computers were synchronized 
             
             
                 
                 
               with sufficient accuracy. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               At least one of the two measuring computers 
             
             
                 
                 
               was not sufficiently time-synchronized so that 
             
             
                 
                 
               the timing values are invalid. Only the packet 
             
             
                 
                 
               loss is measured correctly because it is not 
             
             
                 
                 
               affected by the time synchronization. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Each field of third region  54  has an underlying further representation level providing a detailed status display. The status display indicates the status of the individual measurement connections between two measuring computers  28 ,  30 ; a distinction being made according to the direction of transmission. The detailed status display can be activated by 
   1. positioning and leaving the pointing element on a field in third region  54  of status matrix  58 —the detailed status matrix is thus stored using the tooltip technique—, or 
   2. positioning the pointing element on a field of third region  54  of status matrix  48 , and clicking on the field with the left key of a mouse. 
   In the first case, the display remains visible for a few seconds, and in the second case, it remains permanently visible until the display is actively closed by clicking the top right box containing the “X”. 
   Detailed status display  56  is shown in  FIG. 3  and includes four columns. In first column  58  of detailed status display  56 , the type of the measurement connection is visualized:
         “Standard connection”: dark gray   “Expert connection”: light gray       

   Expert connections are special connections, which are used only to a limited extent, for example, to locate errors in the network. They can be set up in a special input mode during the configuration of the measuring system, and allow a larger range of values for some configuration parameters as, for example, shorter packet spacings. 
   Second, third and fourth columns  60 ,  62  and  64  of detailed status display  56  show the status for the individual measurement parameters of each measurement connection between two measuring computers. There are three entries for each measurement connection: 
   a) one-way delay in ms: OWD—second column  60 ; 
   b) IP delay variation in absolute values in ms: IPDV—third column  62 ; 
   c) packet loss in %: PL—fourth column  64 . 
   The status of the individual measurement parameters is influenced by three things: 
   a) the definition of threshold values and threshold value monitoring; 
   b) the reception of measurement packets in a predetermined time interval; 
   c) the time synchronization of the two measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 . 
   In each case the color representing the worst status is displayed. 
   In the context of the definition of threshold values and threshold value monitoring, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 12 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Gray 
               For this measurement parameter, no threshold 
             
             
                 
                 
               values were entered in the database. 
             
             
                 
                 
               The connection is an “expert” connection, 
             
             
                 
                 
               where the measurement results for each 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement packet are stored in the database 
             
             
                 
                 
               (so-called “raw data mode”). Due to the 
             
             
                 
                 
               potentially very large data volume, there is no 
             
             
                 
                 
               threshold value monitoring for this type of 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement connections. 
             
             
                 
               Green 
               No threshold value was exceeded for this 
             
             
                 
                 
               parameter. 
             
             
                 
               Yellow 
               The level 1 threshold value was exceeded for 
             
             
                 
                 
               this parameter. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               The level 2 threshold value was exceeded for 
             
             
                 
                 
               this parameter. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In the context of the reception of measurement packets in a predetermined time interval, the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 13 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               In the last time interval, at least one 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement packet was received for this 
             
             
                 
                 
               measurement connection. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               In the last time interval, no measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               packet was received for this measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               connection. In this case, the value 0 is 
             
             
                 
                 
               displayed for the individual measurement 
             
             
                 
                 
               parameters, respectively. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   In the context of the time synchronization of the two measuring computers  28 ,  30 ,  32 , the following status data is taken as a basis for the respective status ranges marked in color: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 14 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Color 
               Meaning 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Green 
               Both measuring computers were synchronized 
             
             
                 
                 
               with sufficient accuracy. 
             
             
                 
               Red 
               At least one of the two measuring computers 
             
             
                 
                 
               was not sufficiently time-synchronized so that 
             
             
                 
                 
               the timing values are invalid. In this case, “-” 
             
             
                 
                 
               is displayed for OWD and IPDV, 
             
             
                 
                 
               respectively, and the correct value is 
             
             
                 
                 
               displayed for PL (not affected by the time 
             
             
                 
                 
               synchronization). 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Second, third and fourth columns  60 ,  62  and  64  of detailed status display  56  have an underlying further representation level. When the pointing element is positioned in one of the fields of second, third and fourth columns  60 ,  62  and  64  of detailed status display  56  and, in this field, a measured value is clicked with the left key of a mouse in this field, then the measurement results are graphically represented in a new window for the selected measurement connection. As soon as a new measurement result is stored for this measurement connection in the database, this graphic  66  is updated. An example of such a graphic  66  is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The fields in first column  50  of status matrix  48  and the fields in first row  52  also have an underlying further representation level. This further representation level displays the system messages. The system message display is activated when the pointing element is positioned on the field of a measuring computer in first column  50  of status matrix  48 , or in a field of first row  52  of status matrix  48 , and the respective field is clicked with the left mouse button. The system messages are displayed in a list. Errors are displayed in red, while alerts are colored in yellow. As soon as there is an error message or an alert, the field in the status matrix is also colored accordingly. By clicking on a message in the system message display, the user acknowledges the perception of the message, as a result of which the message is colored in gray. Status matrix  48  is colored in green again only after all messages in the display have been acknowledged and, of course, only if the status of the measuring computer allows this (see Table 2).

Technology Classification (CPC): 7