Nortel Networks Corporation

Allan Wille

Suzanne Rochford

Larry A Franko

Luc Beaudoin

Suzanne L Rochford

A method for use in a computer system for displaying a containment group such as file folder hierarchy. The method displays a direct containment hierarchy for the selected containment group or file folder, and also displays a list of contents of the selected containment group or file folder. A direct containment hierarchy displays only file folders or containment groups which directly or indirectly contain the selected containment group or file folder. In this manner a large number of file folders or containment groups which do not ultimately contain the selected file folder or containment group are not displayed, thereby simplifying the display, and ensuring that the entire direct containment hierarchy can be shown on a single display screen without the need for scrolling in order to obtain or ascertain the context of the given file folder or containment group.

Method and apparatus for displaying and navigating containment hierarchies

The present invention relates to a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying historical and current performance information for a route in a communications network, the route having several paths between two end points. Performance data from the network is collected and processed to generate route and path performance data. The processed data is stored in a database. The GUI is embodied in a network management device which draws upon information stored in the database. In a preferred embodiment, the GUI displays a route panel showing the structure of the route, a timebar showing the time period for which information is displayed, a paths panel showing information about each path in a tabular format, a selected paths panel showing information about selected paths in a tabular format, and a performance panel showing performance data in a graph.

Multi-panel route monitoring graphical user interface, system and method

Network management can be made more efficient by using a graphical user interface that is clear and concise in what network information is identified and subsequently displayed. One key to improving graphical user interfaces is the categorizing of network entities into a series of attribute layers that define different features of the network entities. For instance, a layer of attributes may include geographical regions, services, customers, or types of network entities. By selecting a base view from the group of geographical regions and then network features for filtering operations from one or more of the other attribute layers, the network entities defined by the selected network features can be identified and isolated with all other irrelevant network entities being filtered out. The advantages to this graphical user interface is especially evident when considering the case that a specific customer, service, or network entity requires special attention. Other features of this interface include book marking, archiving, and monitoring specific views of a network based off a base view along with one or more filtered network features.

Method and apparatus for selecting network entities

A network management method and system for managing a network in which routes between pairs of end points take different paths is provided. To begin, device level status and performance information is collected from the network and transformed into path and route information. Next, from the path and route information parameters which characterize the state of each of the routes are computed. Next, the parameters of each of the routes are displayed graphically. This allows a user to obtain a quick visual identification of the state of all of the routes in the network individually and in relation to one another. The invention also provides a network management graphical user interface method in which a 3-D representation of three axes is displayed. Each axis pertaining to a respective one of three route parameters. On these three axes, for each route a parameter point representing the routes parameters is displayed as a function of time. An instantaneous direction and rate of change for each parameter is computed. Each parameter point is displayed in the form of a cone having a central axis pointing in the instantaneous direction of the parameter point, and which has a length which is proportional to the rate of change of the corresponding parameter point.

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Ottawa, Canada

Allan Wille