Abstract: Network supervising apparatus for graphically distinguishing a path between two points on a network, and a method therefor, and computer program for carrying out the method, comprising: a memory (21), in use, storing information relating to the components (12, 13, 14) of the network and the links (16) between those components; a visual display apparatus (18) connectable with said memory and including processor apparatus (19) to convert the information in said memory into a visual display on said visual display apparatus representing the components of the network and the links between these components; a manually operable selector (22) to select two components or links displayed on said visual display apparatus; said signal processor apparatus processing the signals to said visual display apparatus to visually distinguish a set of components and/or links forming a link between the selected components or links and the other components and links.

Abstract: Network supervising apparatus, computer program, and method of supervising a network comprising: applying an algorithm to information relating to the devices of the network to provide a stress value, comparing the stress value with a predetermined limit, retrieving graphic symbol signals from a signal store and providing the graphic symbol on a visual display apparatus when the stress value reaches the predetermined limit, manually selecting the graphic symbol and causing said visual display apparatus to provide an image indicating where the stress value has reached the predetermined limit.

Abstract: In a network supervising apparatus a program suitable for interrogating, in a network, a selected device of a large number of possible devices in respect of at least one functionality of the device (e.g. topology or sizing) comprising: a plurality of directories of elements, each element comprising a module of program code, each directory having a plurality of elements; selecting from at least one directory those elements which relate to the selected device and the desired functionality; and utilizing the selected elements to interrogate the selected device.

Abstract: Network supervising apparatus comprising a store (21), in use, storing information relating to the components (12, 13, 14) of the network, the links (16) between those components, and the type of each link, a visual display apparatus (18) connectable with said store and including processor apparatus (19) to convert the information in said store into a visual display on said visual display apparatus, the visual display representing the physical relationship between the components and the links of the network, said processor apparatus processing the signals to said visual display to visually distinguish at least some of said links according to type.

Abstract: A network management apparatus is described which includes a port for connecting to a network for receiving management data from network devices on the network. The network management apparatus includes a processor for processing the received management data and for determining substantially a complete topology of the network and providing image data representative of the network topology. The apparatus further includes a display for receiving the image data and displaying a graphical representation of the network. The processor is adapted to process the received management data to obtain object data for each network object (i.e. device or link) on the network. The object data is provided to the display, for display in graphical form by means of an object tip or tool tip, when the user points to a predetermined part of the graphical representation of the corresponding network object on the display.