Abstract: Communication system management apparatus, methods, and interfaces are disclosed. A group of objects that are associated with different types of communication system components in a representation of a communication system are configured in a group. A further representation of the objects of the group is provided, and includes an indication of component operational status for one or more communication system components respectively associated with one or more of the objects of the group. The further representation of the objects of the group may also or instead provide access to the objects of the group, so that information associated with the objects may be more easily displayed, for example. The communication system representation and the group representation are provided in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in some embodiments.

Abstract: Communication system management apparatus, methods, and interfaces are disclosed. A group of objects that are associated with different types of communication system components in a representation of a communication system are configured in a group. A further representation of the objects of the group is provided, and includes an indication of component operational status for one or more communication system components respectively associated with one or more of the objects of the group. The further representation of the objects of the group may also or instead provide access to the objects of the group, so that information associated with the objects may be more easily displayed, for example. The communication system representation and the group representation are provided in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method is provided for keeping presentation of information to a minimum. A perspective comprises areas, and each area can have one or more portlets which display information. Each area has an associated list of portlet types that can be instantiated within the area. Each portlet can be manually placed into or out of a locked state. Various portlets can also be in a dirty state if they contain unsaved information, such as in a partially completed form. When a new portlet is to be added to the perspective, first an area which supports creation of that type of portlet is selected. The existing portlets within that area are then examined, and if one exists which is not locked and is not dirty, then it is replaced with the new portlet. If no such existing portlet is eligible for replacement, then the new portlet is created and added to the existing portlets.

Abstract: A GUI for a Network Management System client is provided. The GUI presents network alarms in more than one alarm window. Each alarm window includes a drop-down menu for selecting an alarm filter and a pause button for halting display of new alarms. Alarm filters may be retrieved from a database accessible from a number of NMS clients, thereby allowing public filters to be created by a supervisor. A method of automatically populating the “additional text” field of alarms in a way specified manually after installation of the NMS, which provides additional means of filtering alarms. The invention provides an improved interface by which network administrators can manage network alarms, the interface being particularly advantageous during floods of large numbers of network alarms.

Abstract: A method is provided for keeping presentation of information to a minimum. A perspective comprises areas, and each area can have one or more portlets which display information. Each area has an associated list of portlet types that can be instantiated within the area. Each portlet can be manually placed into or out of a locked state. Various portlets can also be in a dirty state if they contain unsaved information, such as in a partially completed form. When a new portlet is to be added to the perspective, first an area which supports creation of that type of portlet is selected. The existing portlets within that area are then examined, and if one exists which is not locked and is not dirty, then it is replaced with the new portlet. If no such existing portlet is eligible for replacement, then the new portlet is created and added to the existing portlets.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a floating window in a perspective view of data, such as network management data. The floating window can be moved freely about the perspective and resized, thereby allowing other data of importance which is tied to areas of the perspective to be seen. Portlets, containing aspects of data, can be located in the floating window. The floating window in modal mode is particularly useful for requiring a user to interact with or view data without being able to interact with data in the rest of the perspective. The floating window can also be created in non-modal mode, which allows a user to move portlets from existing areas to the more flexible floating window.

Abstract: A method is provided for displaying subforms in a perspective having areas and portlets. An entity represented by a portlet is configured using a form within the portlet. Sub-entities may require configuration as part of configuring the first entity. When a user configures a sub-entity, a subform is opened presenting means of configuring the sub-entity. The subform overlays most of the parent form, making the parent form inaccessible until configuration of the sub-entity is either accepted or cancelled. Using subforms, it is apparent to a user that configuration of the first entity is not complete until all related sub-entities have also been configured. Use of subforms within a portlet also allows other information necessary for configuration of the entity or sub-entities to be viewed by the user.

Abstract: A comprehensive network map for a graphical user interface (GUI) of a communication network, illustrates all outside links to network devices external to said map. To this end, the connections between a network device on the map and all groups of network devices outside of the map are illustrated using an interactive multiple link connector icon associated to the network device. The connector icon comprises a button for enabling display of a multiple link connector (MLC) list. Each row of the MLC list comprises an outside link widget associated with a group identification widget. A list with all connection between the network device and an associated group of outside network devices is displayed on the map upon selection of the outside link widget on the MLC list. Furthermore, a sub-map of a group is displayed upon selection of the respective group identification widget.

Abstract: A calendar tool displays policies that are scheduled to function in managed networks. The tool allows the network administrator to select and view individual scheduled policies, many individual scheduled policies or scheduled policy suites. The calendar identifies the different scheduled policies as rectilinear colored blocks of time on a calendar. These blocks will open their properties forms when double selected. Overlaps of scheduled policies and gaps between scheduled policies can be identified visually on the calendar because they are displayed in two distinct blocks of color which are different from any other colored block displayed. The administrator/user can see all policies that contribute to an overlap by simply selecting on the particular overlap. The user can see calendar information either in a weekly or daily format.

Abstract: A GUI for a Network Management System client is provided. The GUI presents network alarms in more than one alarm window. Each alarm window includes a drop-down menu for selecting an alarm filter and a pause button for halting display of new alarms. Alarm filters may be retrieved from a database accessible from a number of NMS clients, thereby allowing public filters to be created by a supervisor. A method of automatically populating the “additional text” field of alarms in a way specified manually after installation of the NMS, which provides additional means of filtering alarms. The invention provides an improved interface by which network administrators can manage network alarms, the interface being particularly advantageous during floods of large numbers of network alarms.

Abstract: A method for presenting network devices associated with a communications network on a display screen of a network management system, comprising: displaying a first list of the network devices on the display screen; receiving a signal from a user to select a network device from the first list, the network device having associated therewith one or more items; generating a second list of the one or more items; and, displaying the second list on the display screen to thereby improve access to the one or more items by the user.

Abstract: A calendar tool displays policies that are scheduled to function in managed networks. The tool allows the network administrator to select and view individual scheduled policies, many individual scheduled policies or scheduled policy suites. The calendar identifies the different scheduled policies as rectilinear colored blocks of time on a calendar. These blocks will open their properties forms when double selected. Overlaps of scheduled policies and gaps between scheduled policies can be identified visually on the calendar because they are displayed in two distinct blocks of color which are different from any other colored block displayed. The administrator/user can see all policies that contribute to an overlap by simply selecting on the particular overlap. The user can see calendar information either in a weekly or daily format.

Abstract: Communication system management apparatus, methods, and interfaces are disclosed. A group of objects that are associated with different types of communication system components in a representation of a communication system are configured in a group. A further representation of the objects of the group is provided, and includes an indication of component operational status for one or more communication system components respectively associated with one or more of the objects of the group. The further representation of the objects of the group may also or instead provide access to the objects of the group, so that information associated with the objects may be more easily displayed, for example. The communication system representation and the group representation are provided in a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in some embodiments.

Abstract: Methods for efficiently filtering and sorting a large number of managed objects of different object types are presented. A single context-sensitive listing form is employed, the operation and display of which changes dynamically according to the selection of a target object. Whenever the user changes the selected target object, the items of a list type menu change to display the applicable list types. An action menu and/or a context-sensitive tool bar changes based on the selected target object to provide quick access selected object type specific actions. The solution allows users to paste objects into the listing form, perform complex filtering based on the object type used, provide a quick assessment of list filtering effectiveness, and invoke appropriate actions on managed object hits. Advantages of the solution include enhanced complex context-sensitive filtering and sorting capabilities, improved performance in dealing with large lists as well a reduction in window management.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for managing bookmarks of hierarchical network objects within a network management tool or other application for managing or viewing network objects within a network object hierarchy. An operator can bookmark network objects while investigating a network, and can quickly return to a view of a bookmarked network object by selecting the appropriate bookmark. The invention allows an operator to concentrate on managing the network objects rather than spending unnecessary time navigating through the hierarchy to reach or even locate particular network objects.

Abstract: A comprehensive network map for a graphical user interface (GUI) of a communication network, illustrates all outside links to network devices external to said map. To this end, the connections between a network device on the map and all groups of network devices outside of the map are illustrated using an interactive multiple link connector icon associated to the network device. The connector icon comprises a button for enabling display of a multiple link connector (MLC) list. Each row of the MLC list comprises an outside link widget associated with a group identification widget. A list with all connection between the network device and an associated group of outside network devices is displayed on the map upon selection of the outside link widget on the MLC list. Furthermore, a sub-map of a group is displayed upon selection of the respective group identification widget.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for displaying network object hierarchy information within a network management tool. When displaying information about a network object, the network management tool also displays a row of buttons representing different layers within the network hierarchy. A button representing the root object, or entire network, is displayed at one end, and a button representing the network object currently being displayed is displayed at the other end. Arranged between these are intermediate buttons representing network objects within the hierarchy between the root object and the network object being displayed, the intermediate buttons being ordered in accordance with the position within the hierarchy of the corresponding network objects. The invention allows an operator to quickly see for which point in the network hierarchy he or she is currently seeing network information.

Abstract: A modified object information window includes a custom field area and an operator's note area, which enable operators to define attributes of their liking for an object. One or more custom fields may be accommodated in the custom field area, each being associated with a custom attribute field. The operator note area comprises a note text box allowing operators to leave notes pertaining to specific objects. These additional areas enable an operator to define and search on attributes relevant to that particular network. The objects associated with the object information window can be selected from the window, allowing the operator to also perform further analysis and repair objects from this window.

Abstract: For displaying information on all highlighted objects in a hierarchical chain of objects, a graphical user interface (GUI), identifies an original highlighted object displayed on a window at a selected hierarchically level. The highlighted object(s) subtended by the original object at the hierarchically next lower level is/are identified and selected from an object storage means, etc, until all highlighted objects corresponding to the original object are identified and selected. The selected objects are placed in a list, and the GIU displays the list in a highlighted objects window where the objects are arranged in a specified order. The list comprises a row for each highlighted object, and a plurality of columns, each column for providing a specified attribute of the object. The GUI may then selects order of the objects in the window by sorting the list by any of the columns.