EP0490624A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphical configuration of data processing networks
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A computer system and method for configuring communication and database networks in a user friendly graphical environment and automatically generating related configuration files. In a preferred practice, the user defines multiple network workstation nodes using icons (13), specifies (12) the resources associated with each icon, and defines connections between icons using specified protocol constraints, and the computer validates the network so defined, and generates the associated configuration files for the respective workstation nodes. The workstations have requester/server capability for communication and database network operation. The configuration files for the respective workstations in the network are preferably distributed and installed using the network resources. The network topology information so created can be stored, retrieved and modified as necessary to suit the needs of an evolving network.
Inventors
- 👤 Alejandra Sanchez-Frank
- 👤 Jay Sirkin Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/22; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/20; G06F16/21; H04L41/08; H04L41/0803; H04L41/084; H04L41/0843; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/75; H04L69/00; H04L41/0813; H04L41/082; H04L41/0866; H04L41/0869; H04L41/12; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A computer system for defining the configuration of a network, comprising: means for graphically representing a first network of three or more nodes by defining first network objects for the nodes; means for graphically defining connections to relate the first network objects; and means for automatically generating parameters to configure a physical network as defined by the network objects and connections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system recited in Claim 1, further comprising means for validating connections by comparing attributes of defined network objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system recited in Claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for distributing the generated configuration parameters to physical systems corresponding to the network objects.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system recited in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the means for graphically representing network objects and the means for graphically defining connections include means for displaying on a video display icons representing requester/server devices and connection protocols.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system recited in Claim 4, wherein the requester/server devices are workstations in a data processing network.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
48 words
The system recited in any preceding Claim, further comprising: means for graphically representing a second network of three or more nodes substantially coextensive with the first network; means for defining second network objects for selected network nodes; and means for graphically defining connections between selected second network objects.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system recited in Claim 6, further comprising means for validating connections by comparing attributes of said second network objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system recited in Claim 6 or 7, further comprising means for generating and distributing configuration parameters to physical systems corresponding to said second network objects.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
42 words
The system recited in any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein the means for graphically representing said second network objects and the means for graphically defining connections include means for displaying on a video display icons representing requester/server devices and connection protocols.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system recited in Claim 9, wherein the requester/server devices are workstations in a data processing network.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of generating configuration parameters for a network of workstations, comprising the steps of: generating functional representations of three or more first network objects on a graphical video display; generating functional representations of connections relating the first network objects on the video display; generating configuration parameters to configure a physical network as defined by the combination of network objects and connections; and distributing the configuration parameters to the respective network objects in a physical network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method recited in Claim 11, further comprising the step of: generating in a second functional mode a second set of network objects and connections corresponding substantially to the first network objects and connections.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
60 words
A system for configuring a network of multiple terminals, comprising: workstation means for graphically depicting a network of three or more objects; workstation means for graphically depicting connections relating the network objects; means for a user to interactively manipulate the objects and connections depicted by the workstation; and means for deriving configuration parameters from combined depictions having objects and connections.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system recited in Claim 13, further comprising means for distributing configuration parameters to physical systems corresponding to the network objects.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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