Graphical representation of computer network topology and activity
US5768552A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T11/206
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A means and method is disclosed for displaying an image on a display screen graphically representing the topology and information transfer activity occurring on a computer network. One host computer on the network denoted a network monitor gathers information about the topology and traffic on the network. A display image is generated depicting a substantially circular arrangement of host computers and/or sub-networks of host computers comprising the network. Color-coded, dashed, various width, or shaded line segments are added to the display image representing traffic (information transfer activity) occurring on the network between source and destination host computers. Line segments between communicating hosts are coded depending upon the volume of information being transferred. Line segments are removed when information flow between a pair of hosts ceases. Controls are provided to configure the display of the network and to move or zoom in on a portion of the display image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.