Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for automatically identifying a set of communications flows in a network environment, and grouping the identified set into a flow collection for management and monitoring. The system may dynamically maintaining the group membership, without requiring manual analysis and grouping. As a result, manual grouping of flows may be avoided, avoiding this complex, tedious, and error prone task, and allowing easier and more efficient administration and management.

Abstract: In some aspects, the disclosure is directed to methods and systems for automatically identifying a set of communications flows in a network environment, and grouping the identified set into a flow collection for management and monitoring. The system may dynamically maintaining the group membership, without requiring manual analysis and grouping. As a result, manual grouping of flows may be avoided, avoiding this complex, tedious, and error prone task, and allowing easier and more efficient administration and management.

Abstract: A management station according to the present disclosure displays a circular heat map as a graphic user interface (GUI) element to monitor network element data. The management station determines a point of time along a circular outer ring of the circular heat map, where the circular outer ring represents a timeline. The management station displays network element data at the point of time on the circular heat map such that the circular heat map is divided into a plurality of concentric rings and wedge-like segments. Each of the concentric rings represents a different network scope within a network and each of the wedge-like segments represents a different portion of the network.

Abstract: A management station according to the present disclosure sets thresholds for monitoring network anomalies within a network. The management station receives a user input for a graphical display, where the graphical display includes a performance graph within a window that displays data for one or more network characteristics within the network. The user input triggers creation of a threshold to monitoring the one or more network characteristics associated with the performance graph. After triggering the creation of the threshold, the management station automatically creates the threshold based on the user input and context of the performance graph. The management station then monitors the display data on the performance graph with the created threshold.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a port profile management mechanism. The port profile management mechanism detects an active profile associated with a physical port on a switch and displays configuration of the port based on the identified port profile using the display mechanism. In addition, a port group management mechanism obtains information of a port group associated with a virtual machine, wherein the port group defines network configurations for the virtual machine. The port profile management mechanism detects a port profile associated with the virtual machine coupled to a physical port on a switch and displays an alert using the display mechanism in response to the port group and the port profile being out of synchronization.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a port profile management mechanism. The port profile management mechanism detects an active profile associated with a physical port on a switch and displays configuration of the port based on the identified port profile using the display mechanism. In addition, a port group management mechanism obtains information of a port group associated with a virtual machine, wherein the port group defines network configurations for the virtual machine. The port profile management mechanism detects a port profile associated with the virtual machine coupled to a physical port on a switch and displays an alert using the display mechanism in response to the port group and the port profile being out of synchronization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the automatic inclusion of entities into one or more management resource groups are described herein. Some embodiments include processing logic and memory coupled to the processing logic and including a database. The processing logic stores within the database a grouping representative of at least one network element, a role defined for a user, and a grouping-role pair associated with the user. The processing logic further automatically adds a new element as a grouping member upon its identification and automatically authorizes the user to perform the role with the new network element.