Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display driving control circuitry – Controlling the condition of display elements
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-11
2001-05-08
Bayerl, Raymond J. (Department: 2773)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display driving control circuitry
Controlling the condition of display elements
C345S960000, C345S960000, C709S224000, C709S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229538
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer networking systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing port-centric graphic representations of network controllers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Computers and other devices may be networked together using any one of several available architectures and any one of several corresponding and compatible network protocols. A common network architecture is Ethernet™, such as the 10Base-T and 100Base-TX Ethernet™ Standards according to the IEEE Standard 802.3, although another Ethernet™ architecture operating at 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) is also available. In an Ethernet™ architecture, the computers each include a bus system with corresponding slots for receiving compatible network adapter expansion cards, where one or more of the adapter cards may be network interface cards (NICs). Each NIC includes an appropriate connector for interfacing a compatible network cable, such as a coaxial cable, a twisted-wire cable, a fiber optic cable, etc. For example, in a star configuration, each NIC includes an RJ-45 connector for receiving a compatible RJ-45 plug of a twisted-wire cable, where each network cable is coupled to a central device such as a repeater, hub, switch, etc.
In a packet-switched configuration, each computer or device sends data packets according to a selected upper level protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Internet Protocol eXchange (IPX), NetBEUI or the like. NetBEUI is short for NetBIOS Enhanced User Interface, and is an enhanced version of the NetBIOS protocol used by network operating systems such as LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 and Windows NT. NetBEUI was originally designed by IBM for IBM's LAN Manager server and later extended by Microsoft and Novell. TCP/IP is used in Internet applications, or in intranet applications such as a local area network (LAN). In this manner, computers and other devices share information according to the higher level protocols.
One or more computers in a network configuration typically operates as a server for other computers and devices in the network. Often, the other computers and devices rely on the server(s) for information, storage, access to databases, programs, other networks, etc., and various other services. It is desired that the server be as reliable as possible. Each computer, including the server, is typically coupled to a computer using a single network controller or adapter. If the network controller fails, the access to the server is interrupted resulting in loss of productivity and inefficiency. It is further desired to provide as high a bandwidth path to the server as possible, especially during periods of heavy demand and increased network traffic. A single network controller results in a bottleneck of data flow.
It is desirable to improve the network efficiency and fault tolerance of a network in a practical and cost effective manner. It is also desirable to display the status and configuration of each port in an accurate and efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A port-centric controller system for a computer according to the present invention includes a plurality of network ports implemented with a plurality of network controllers and a driver system capable of operating each of the network ports in either a stand-alone mode or a team mode where each team includes at least two network ports. The driver system monitors the status of each of the network ports. The controller system further includes configuration logic that interfaces the driver system to display port-specific graphic representations of the configuration and status of each of the plurality of network ports. The graphic representations preferably distinguish between each of the plurality of network controllers and each of the plurality of network ports.
Several different graphic icons may be used to illustrate the status and configuration information. The driver system monitors the link status of each of the network ports indicative of cable status, and the graphic representations include a corresponding cable fault icon indicative of a cable fault at a network port. The graphic representations may include separate icons for a powered off status, a hardware failure status and the cable fault status. The graphic representations may further include an icon representing a powered off when cable faulted status, an icon representing a hardware failure when powered off status and an icon representing detection of an uninstalled network controller. The graphic representations may further include an icon representing each network port in a team of network ports and an icon representing a non-active network port in the team. The graphic representations may further include team, controller, slot and bus information.
A computer system according to the present invention may include a processor, a main memory, a bus system coupled to the processor and the main memory and a plurality of network controllers for implementing a plurality of network ports. The computer system further includes a driver system and a configuration application, each executed by the processor from the main memory. The driver system is capable of operating each of the network ports in either a stand-alone mode or a team mode. The driver system monitors the status of each of the network ports and the configuration application interfaces the driver system to display port-specific graphic representations of the configuration and status of each of the plurality of network ports.
It is now appreciated that a port-centric controller system according to the present invention provides a user with a more accurate representation of the status and configuration of each port in a computer. Rather than displaying each port as a controller, the status and configuration of each port is represented using appropriate port-specific icons. The team configurations are also illustrated in an accurate manner so that the user is able to easily determine and re-configure the one or more teams of ports.
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Khan Ahsan
McCarthy Daniel B.
McIntyre Michael S.
Miller Thomas R.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld & LLP
Bayerl Raymond J.
Compaq Computer Corporation
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