Abstract: A network topology is displayed in a graphical user interface on a display of a computer. The network topology includes graphical representations of multiple network devices, of internal interfaces within the multiple network devices, and of network connections between the multiple network devices. A record of a network flow within a particular network device of the multiple network devices is acquired in real time upon transmission of the network flow within the particular network device. A graphical representation of a transmission path of the network flow within the particular network device is rendered in real time on the display based on the record of the network flow.

Abstract: A graphical user interface including an object representing a network device is rendered. Interface objects respectively corresponding to each internal interface of the network device are rendered within the object representing the network device. A network flow record for a network flow through the network device is acquired. The network flow record identifies ingress and egress interfaces of the network device for the network flow. Switching information for the network flow within the network device is determined based on the ingress and egress identifications. A transmission path of the network flow within the network device from the ingress interface is rendered within the object representing the network device. The transmission path is defined by the switching information identified by the network flow record.

Abstract: A network device includes internal interfaces and operates to receive a network flow at an ingress interface and route the network flow within the network device. A computer in communication with the network device executes instructions for rendering a graphical user interface including an object representing the network device. The computer also renders interface objects respectively corresponding to each of the internal interfaces of the network device. The computer operates to acquire a network flow record for the network flow through the network device. The network flow record identifies the ingress interface of the network device for the network flow and identifies switching information for the network flow within the network device. The computer also renders a graphical representation of a transmission path of the network flow within the network device from the ingress interface. The transmission path is defined by the switching information identified by the network flow record.

Abstract: A topology view of a network is generated on a visual display of a computer system. The topology view includes subnet objects, network device objects, and interface objects within the network device objects. Network flow records are acquired from each device within the network. Separate network flow records acquired from different devices in the network are correlated together into a common network flow record. Each of the separate network flow records shares a common source address and a common destination address. The common network flow record specifies transmission path segments of a communication through the network. The common network flow is rendered in the visual display over the topology view of the network by displaying an arrow for each transmission path segment traversed by the communication through the network.

Abstract: A graphical user interface including an object representing a network device is rendered. Interface objects respectively corresponding to each internal interface of the network device are rendered within the object representing the network device. A network flow record for a network flow through the network device is acquired. The network flow record identifies ingress and egress interfaces of the network device for the network flow. Switching information for the network flow within the network device is determined based on the ingress and egress identifications. A transmission path of the network flow within the network device from the ingress interface is rendered within the object representing the network device. The transmission path is defined by the switching information identified by the network flow record.

Abstract: A network topology is displayed in a graphical user interface on a display of a computer. The network topology includes graphical representations of multiple network devices, of internal interfaces within the multiple network devices, and of network connections between the multiple network devices. A record of a network flow within a particular network device of the multiple network devices is acquired in real time upon transmission of the network flow within the particular network device. A graphical representation of a transmission path of the network flow within the particular network device is rendered in real time on the display based on the record of the network flow.

Abstract: A network device includes internal interfaces and operates to receive a network flow at an ingress interface and route the network flow within the network device. A computer in communication with the network device executes instructions for rendering a graphical user interface including an object representing the network device. The computer also renders interface objects respectively corresponding to each of the internal interfaces of the network device. The computer operates to acquire a network flow record for the network flow through the network device. The network flow record identifies the ingress interface of the network device for the network flow and identifies switching information for the network flow within the network device. The computer also renders a graphical representation of a transmission path of the network flow within the network device from the ingress interface. The transmission path is defined by the switching information identified by the network flow record.

Abstract: A stream of traffic data is generated, where the traffic data has a known characteristic. The stream of traffic data is applied to the network device, where the network device has a specific type. The network device generates an output based on the traffic data. A performance of the network device is monitored while the traffic data is processed by the network device to generate monitoring data for the traffic data applied to the network device having the specific type. The output from the network device is analyzed to identify how the traffic data was handled by the network device to generate performance metrics. The monitoring data and the performance metrics are saved to a knowledge database. The knowledge database can be accessed to enable configuration of other network devices based in part on the monitoring data and performance metrics.

Abstract: A topology view of a network is generated on a visual display of a computer system. The topology view includes subnet objects, network device objects, and interface objects within the network device objects. Network flow records are acquired from each device within the network. Separate network flow records acquired from different devices in the network are correlated together into a common network flow record. Each of the separate network flow records shares a common source address and a common destination address. The common network flow record specifies transmission path segments of a communication through the network. The common network flow is rendered in the visual display over the topology view of the network by displaying an arrow for each transmission path segment traversed by the communication through the network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying configuration parameters for a network device are provided. The method includes generating a stream of traffic data, where the traffic data has a known characteristic. Then, applying the stream of traffic data to the network device, where the network device has a specific type, and the network device generates an output based on the traffic data. The method then includes monitoring performance of the network device while the traffic data is processed by the network device, and the monitoring is configured to generate monitoring data for the traffic data applied to the network device having the specific type. Also, the method includes analyzing the output from the network device, where the analyzing is performed to identify how the traffic data was handled by the network device, and the analyzing is configured to generate performance metrics. The method further includes saving the monitoring data and the performance metrics to a knowledge database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying configuration parameters for a network device are provided. The method includes generating a stream of traffic data, where the traffic data has a known characteristic. Then, applying the stream of traffic data to the network device, where the network device has a specific type, and the network device generates an output based on the traffic data. The method then includes monitoring performance of the network device while the traffic data is processed by the network device, and the monitoring is configured to generate monitoring data for the traffic data applied to the network device having the specific type. Also, the method includes analyzing the output from the network device, where the analyzing is performed to identify how the traffic data was handled by the network device, and the analyzing is configured to generate performance metrics. The method further includes saving the monitoring data and the performance metrics to a knowledge database.