Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligent storage and reduction of network information reduces an amount of storage space required for network information by receiving current network information and comparing the current network information with previously received network information. The current network information is saved if the current network information exceeds the previously, received network information by a threshold, and an identifier associated with the current network information is updated if the current network information does not exceed the previously received network information by the threshold.

Abstract: A system is provided that monitors a network environment. The system collects recent data associated with operation of the network environment. The network environment is analyzed by comparing the collected data with historical data associated with the operation of the network environment. The system determines whether a problem or a potential problem exists based on the analysis of the network environment. The historical data associated with the operation of the network environment is represented in multiple cognitive signatures. The system regularly updates the historical data to include the recently collected data. The data collected may include network performance data, network configuration data, traffic flow data, network utilization data, or network error information. If the system generates an alarm if it determines that a problem exists. The generation of an alarm may include generating an electronic mail message or pager message and communicating the message to a network administrator.

Abstract: A system is provided that monitors a network environment. The system collects recent data associated with operation of the network environment. The network environment is analyzed by comparing the collected data with historical data associated with the operation of the network environment. The system determines whether a problem or a potential problem exists based on the analysis of the network environment. The historical data associated with the operation of the network environment is represented in multiple cognitive signatures. The system regularly updates the historical data to include the recently collected data. The data collected may include network performance data, network configuration data, traffic flow data, network utilization data, or network error information. The system generates an alarm if it determines that a problem exists. The generation of an alarm may include generating an electronic mail message or pager message and communicating the message to a network administrator.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides the user with an indication of the computer network's health. The indication is provided by a network management station on the computer network. The network management station has a distributable piece of code which instructs agents to gather diagnostic and status information. The network management station then evaluates the network specific diagnostic and status data gathered by the agents. Based on the evaluation, the network management station generates a representation of the computer network's functionality (i.e., its "health"). Thereby, the user can readily determine whether the computer network requires repairs.