Patent ID: 7631068

Claim:
A system comprising: data protection manager configured to at least one of: generate a data stream for backed up and direct a data stream to a storage device; an administration interface coupled to the data protection manager and to provide a user access to functionality of the data protection manager; a topology tool configured to: display, using the administration interface, a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of GUI elements represents at least one of a plurality of data protection system devices including a first protection device that stores backup data; and respond to user actuation of the at least one of the plurality of GUI elements by at least one of performing a command, displaying an additional GUI element, and displaying information about the at least one of the plurality of data protection system devices; a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein at least one of the data protection manager, the administration interface, and the topology tool are encoded as instructions stored in the memory and executable on the processor; wherein the topology tool is further configured to receive information about each of the plurality of data protection system devices, the information comprising device status information, device activity information, and device configuration information; wherein the device status information further comprises job failure information, service down information, and media loaded information.