Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring and managing policy configuration associated with a plurality of interfaces of a plurality of devices in a network are provided. This method is executable in a processing system. The processing system includes a processor coupled to a display and user input device. The method comprises displaying an icon corresponding to a device in the network, a plurality of interface indicia associated with traffic flow through the device policy-related information of devices in a network, and, a pair of traffic indicia that indicate a direction of traffic flow with respect to the plurality of interface indicia and the icon. A signal is then accepted from the user input device to indicate selection of an interface indicium. Finally, the policy information of an interface associated with the interface indicium is displayed in accordance with a direction of traffic flow in response to the signal from the user input device.

Abstract: Techniques for integrated audit and configuration are provided. The techniques include receiving a request from a user to analyze first configuration information with a second set of configuration information; receiving the first configuration information; analyzing one or more parameters of the first configuration information with the second set of configuration information to result in creating and storing comparison information; displaying the comparison information; choosing one or more action mechanisms to provide to the user for each of the one or more parameters based on the comparison information; and enabling the user to perform one or more actions associated with the one or more action mechanisms.

Abstract: A method and system for fault management in a distributed network management station is disclosed. In one method embodiment, the present invention initiates a first device coupled to a network. Next, the present invention broadcasts an information packet to a plurality of devices coupled to the network. The first device then resolves the status of the plurality of devices coupled to the network. In so doing, the resolved network results in a distributed network management station having a defined master device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically generating a configuration for a network device is disclosed, comprising the computer-implemented steps of receiving a partial configuration for a network device, wherein the partial configuration comprises a plurality of configuration commands, wherein each of one or more of the configuration commands is associated with one of a plurality of user interface elements; parsing the partial configuration to identify the user interface elements; generating a user interface page based on the user interface elements; receiving one or more configuration parameter values via the user interface page; and substituting the configuration parameter values into the partial configuration to result in creating a complete configuration for the device.

Abstract: A computer software system is disclosed for facilitating a user's replacement or insertion of devices in a computer server network system. The system allows a user to swap or add peripheral devices while the system is running, or in a “hot” condition, with little or no user knowledge of how the system carries out the “hot swap” or “hot add” functions. The system, which consists of a graphical user interface (GUI) and associated computer software modules, allows the user to select a desired peripheral device location within a server, and then provides the modular software structure to automatically execute a series of steps in the hot swap or hot add process. Each step is prompted by the user from the GUI, to invoke commands to instruct a network server through its operating system and hardware to suspend the appropriate device adapters, if necessary, power down the desired device slot or canister, allow the user to replace or insert a new device, and finally restart the adapters and the slot power.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring and managing policy configuration associated with a plurality of interfaces of a plurality of devices in a network are provided. This method is executable in a processing system. The processing system includes a processor coupled to a display and user input device. The method comprises displaying an icon corresponding to a device in the network, a plurality of interface indicia associated with traffic flow through the device policy-related information of devices in a network, and, a pair of traffic indicia that indicate a direction of traffic flow with respect to the plurality of interface indicia and the icon. A signal is then accepted from the user input device to indicate selection of an interface indicium. Finally, the policy information of an interface associated with the interface indicium is displayed in accordance with a direction of traffic flow in response to the signal from the user input device.