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United States Patent Application
20020024535
Kind Code
A1
Ueno, Michiko ; et al.
February 28, 2002
Network management equipment and communication path setting method
Abstract
A graphics map of an area in which a system is set is displayed on a screen of a display unit, and minimized stations and line connecting between the stations are displayed on the map. Display colors of the station icon and the line icon are changed in accordance with presence/absence of a failure. When each station icon is clicked, a window showing a list of NODEs belonging to that station is opened, and a NODE having a failure and a NODE having no failure are also distinguished from each other by changing the display colors in this window.
Inventors:
Ueno; Michiko
(Niiza-shi, JP)
, Nakao; Tooru
(Tachikawa-shi, JP
)
, Iwasaki; Hidetoshi
(Kawasaki-shi, JP
)
, Ariga; Yasushi
(Fuchu-shi, JP
)
, Yamamoto; Youko
(Tsukui-gun, JP
)
, Nakagawa; Hakaru
(Hino-shi, JP
)
, Yamaguchi; Kiyoshi
(Hino-shi, JP
)
, Akimoto; Tatsuko
(Nakano-ku, JP
)
, Nagano; Masaaki
(Koganei-shi, JP
)
, Izawa; Shinichi
(Sagamihara-shi, JP
)
, Watanabe; Shinsuke
(Hachioji-shi, JP
)
Correspondence Name and Address:
FOURTH FLOOR 1755 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY
OBLON SPIVAK MCCLELLAND MAIER & NEUSTADT PC
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
US
Series Code:
982898
Filed:
October 22, 2001
U.S. Current Class:
345/736;
709/223
U.S. Class at Publication:
345/736;
709/223
Intern'l Class:
G09G 005/00
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of stations, a communication line provided between said stations, and one or a plurality of nodes which are set in each of said station and connected to each other through said communication line, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing a state of occurrence of a failure in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said display processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays an area map of an area in which said network system is set on said display unit; displays on said area map a plurality of station icons respectively associated with said stations and a line associated with said communication line; displays a plurality of said station icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of a failure in each corresponding station; and displays said line in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of a failure in said corresponding communication line.
2. The network management equipment according to claim 1, wherein said display controlling means displays on said area map a current time indicated by the universal time coordinated (Universal Time Coordinated: UTC) and a standard time of each area in which a plurality of said stations are respectively set.
3. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of said nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means for accepting click operations by a user; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information including alarm information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a first button on a screen of said display unit; displays a first window on said screen of said display unit when said first button is clicked by said operating means; and displays a list of notification information acquired by said information acquiring means in said first window in a text format together with a plurality of attributes for characterizing each set of said notification information.
4. The network management equipment according to claim 3, wherein said display controlling means displays a second button on said screen of said display unit; displays a second window on said screen of said display unit when said second button is clicked by said operating means; displays an attribute specification section for arbitrary selecting and specifying a plurality of said attributes in said second window; and selectively displays in said first window notification information having attributes specified in said attribute specification section.
5. The network management equipment according to claim 3, wherein said display controlling means displays a third button on said screen of said display unit; displays a third window on said screen of said display unit when said third button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said third window a section for setting an order for displaying said attributes in said first window; and rearranges an order of said attributes displayed in said first window in accordance with said order set in said section.
6. The network management equipment according to claim 3, wherein said display controlling means displays a fourth button on said screen of said display unit; displays a fourth window on said screen of said display unit when said fourth button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said fourth window a list of nodes which is targets of management by its own apparatus, and wherein when one or more nodes among nodes displayed in said fourth window are specified by said operating means, said information acquiring means masks alarm information included in notification information transmitted from said specified nodes.
7. The network management equipment according to claim 3, further comprising an alarm buzzer which sounds under predetermined conditions; and buzzer controlling means for controlling sounding of said alarm buzzer, wherein said display controlling means displays a fifth button on said screen of said display unit; displays a fifth window on said screen of said display unit when said fifth button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said fifth window a condition setting section for setting conditions for sounding said alarm buzzer; and wherein said buzzer controlling means sounds said alarm buzzer under conditions set in said condition setting section in said fifth window.
8. A network management equipment provided to a network system including a plurality of ring networks having a plurality of nodes connected to each other in a ring form through a communication line, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing an occurrence state of a failure in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a sixth button on a screen of said display unit; displays a sixth window on said screen of said display unit when said sixth button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said sixth window a plurality of headers respectively associated with a plurality of said ring networks; displays a plurality of said headers in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of a failure in respective corresponding ring networks; displays in said sixth window a view showing a configuration of a ring network corresponding to any header clicked by said operating means when said header is clicked by said operating means; and displays a plurality of nodes shown in said view of said configuration of said ring network in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of a failure in said each node.
9. The network management equipment according to claim 8, wherein when each of said nodes includes a plurality of shelves, said display controlling means displays a seventh window on said screen of said display unit when any node shown in said type drawing is clicked by said operating means; displays a type drawing showing a shelf configuration of said clicked node in said seventh window; and displays a plurality of shelves shown in said type drawing in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of a failure in said each shelf.
10. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of stations, a communication line provided between said stations, and one or a plurality of nodes which are respectively provided in said stations and connected to each other through said communication line, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means for accepting first and second click operations different from each other by a user; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing an occurrence state of a failure in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a plurality of station icons respectively associated with said stations on a screen of said display unit; displays a plurality of said station icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of a failure in each corresponding station; displays an eighth window on said screen of said display unit when any one of said station icons is clicked by said first click operation of said operating means; displays in said eighth window one or a plurality of node icons respectively associated with said nodes set in a station corresponding to said clicked station icon; and displays one or a plurality of said node icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of a failure in each corresponding node.
11. The network management equipment according to claim 10, wherein when each of said nodes includes a plurality of shelves, said display controlling means displays on said screen of said display unit a ninth window when any node icon displayed in said eighth window is clicked; displays a type drawing showing a shelf configuration of said clicked node in said ninth window; and displays a plurality of shelves shown in said type drawing in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of a failure in each of said shelves.
12. The network management equipment according to claim 10, wherein when each of said nodes includes a plurality of shelves, said display controlling means displays a tenth window on said screen of said display unit when any of said station icons is clicked by said second click operation of said operating means; displays in said tenth window a list of nodes set in a station corresponding to said clicked station icon; displays a ninth window on said screen of said display unit when any node shown in said list is selected by said operating means; displays in said ninth window a type drawing showing a shelf configuration of said selected node; and displays a plurality of shelves shown in said type drawing in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of a failure in each of said shelves.
13. The network management equipment according to claim 9, wherein when each of a plurality of said shelves includes one or a plurality of cards, said display controlling means displays an 11th window on said screen of said display unit when any one of a plurality of said shelves shown in said type drawing is clicked by said operating means; displays a view showing a card configuration of said clicked shelf in said 11th window; and displays a plurality of cards shown in said view of said card configuration in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of a failure in each of said cards.
14. A network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of ring networks, each of a plurality of ring networks including a plurality of nodes and a traffic bypass function, a plurality of said nodes being connected to each other in a ring form through a communication line, said communication line including a working system line and a preliminary system line, and said traffic bypass function being a function which causes service traffic transmitted through said working system line to make a detour to said preliminary line, and being a function which enters either an active status or a normal status, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing statuses of said traffic bypass function in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a seventh button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 12th window on said screen of said display unit when said seventh button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said 12th window a plurality of icons respectively associated with a plurality of said ring networks; displays a plurality of said icons in a display mode which varies depending on said active status or said normal status which said traffic bypass function in said each corresponding ring network enters; and displays a plurality of said icons in a display mode which varies depending on whether said status of said traffic bypass function in said each corresponding ring network has been confirmed by an operator of its own apparatus.
15. The network management equipment according to claim 14, wherein said display control button displays in a blinking manner an icon corresponding to a ring network that said status of said traffic bypass function has not been confirmed; and displays in a lit manner an icon corresponding to a ring network that said status of said traffic bypass function has been confirmed.
16. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of said nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; storing means for accumulating a history of said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 13th window on a screen of said display unit; and displays in said 13th window a retrieval condition specification section for specifying retrieval conditions for retrieving desired notification information from said history accumulated in said storing means, wherein said information processing means retrieves from said history accumulated in said storing means notification information according to retrieval conditions specified in said 13th window, wherein said display controlling means displays a 14th window on said screen of said display unit; and displays in said 14th window notification information retrieved by said information processing means in a text format together with a plurality of attributes for characterizing said retrieved notification information.
17. The network management equipment according to claim 16, further comprising operating means for accepting click operations by a user, wherein said display controlling means displays an eighth button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 15th window on said screen of said display unit when said eighth button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said 15th window an attribute specification section for arbitrarily selecting and specifying a plurality of said attributes; and selectively displays in said 14th window notification information having attributes specified in said attribute specification section.
18. The network management equipment according to claim 17, wherein said display controlling means displays a 16th window on said screen of said display unit when arbitrary notification information is clicked by said operating means in said 14th window; and displays in said 16th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to input memo data written in connection with said clicked notification information, and wherein said information processing means gives said memo data inputted in said 16th window to said clicked notification information.
19. The network management equipment according to claim 16, further comprising operating means for accepting click operations by a user, wherein said display controlling means displays a ninth button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 17th window on said screen of said display unit when said 9th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 17th window: a section for selectively specifying allowance or inhibition of writing new notification information with respect to a history accumulated in said storing means; a section for specifying either overwriting of new notification or abortion of writing of new notification when a storage area in said storing means is full; a section for specifying a maximum number of histories accumulated in said storing means; and a section for setting a threshold value of a ratio of a storage area in which said histories in said storing means are accumulated, and wherein said information processing means accumulates said histories in said storing means in accordance with contents set in said 17th window; and generates an alarm to an operator of its own apparatus when a ratio of said storage area in which said histories in said storing means are accumulated may exceed said threshold value.
20. The network management equipment according to claim 16, further comprising operating means for accepting click operations by a user, wherein said display controlling means displays a 10th button on said screen of said display unit; displays an 18th window on said screen of said display unit when said 10th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 18th window: a section for specifying a node as an operation target and setting a maximum value of a size of a storage resource area for a history accumulated in said node; and a section for individually setting a size of a storage resource area of a notification information history to be accumulated, and wherein said information processing means varies a size of a storage resource area for said history in an arbitrary node in accordance with contents set in said 18th window.
21. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of said nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; storing means for accumulating a history of said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays an 11th button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 19th window on said screen of said display unit when said 11th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 19th window a retrieval condition specification section for specifying retrieval conditions for retrieving desired notification information from a history accumulated in said storing means, wherein said information processing means retrieves notification information satisfying said retrieval conditions specified in said 13th window from said history accumulated in said storing means, and wherein said display controlling means displays a 20th window on said screen of said display unit; and graphs out and displays a result of retrieval of notification information by said information processing means in said 20th window.
22. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means displays in said 20th window a plurality of graphs which differ in accordance with each object of retrieval specified under said retrieval conditions.
23. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means displays a marker which can move on a horizontal axis of each graph displayed in said 20th window; and displays a data value on a vertical axis corresponding to a position of said marker on said horizontal axis by a numeric figure.
24. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means varies a vertical axis scale of a graph displayed in said 20th window in accordance with a maximum value of data to be displayed or in accordance with setting by a user.
25. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means displays 12th buttons in accordance with each graph displayed in said 20th window; displays a 21st window on said screen of said display unit when any one of said 12th button is clicked by said operating means; and opens said 21st window which displays in a table form a result of retrieval of said quality information shown in a graph concerning said clicked 12th button.
26. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means displays a 22nd window on said screen of said display unit when arbitrary notification information is clicked by said operating means in said 21st window; and displays in said 22nd window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to input memo data which is written in connection with said clicked notification information, and wherein said information processing means gives said memo data inputted in said 22nd window to said clicked notification information.
27. The network management equipment according to claim 21, further comprising printout means, wherein said display controlling means displays a 13th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 23rd window on said screen of said display unit when said 13th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 23rd window: a period specification section for specifying any of daily basis, monthly basis, or annual basis as a retrieval period of quality information; and a quality information attribute specification section for specifying attributes of quality information to be retrieved, and wherein said information processing means retrieves desired quality information from a history of said accumulated quality information in accordance with a content specified in said 23rd window; and prints out a result of retrieval to said printout means.
28. The network management equipment according to claim 21, wherein said display controlling means displays a 14th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 24th window on said screen of said display unit when said 14th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 24th window: an operation target specification section for specifying a node as an operation target, and a channel and a section thereof; a section for specifying whether quality information measured for said operation target specified in said operation target specification section is to be notified in accordance with each type thereof; a section for setting an importance level of quality information measured for said operation target specified in said operation target specification section in accordance with each type thereof; and a section for setting a threshold value used for notifying quality information measured for said operation target specified in said operation target specification section, and wherein said information processing means notifies a node as said operation target of a content specified in said 24th window, and notifies said node of quality information in accordance with said content.
29. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of said nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing an occurrence state of an alarm in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 16th button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 26th window on said screen of said display unit when said 16th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 26th window: a first section for specifying an operation target of severity of said alarm; and a second section for selecting an occurrence factor of said alarm for said operation target specified in said first section; reads a current set state of severity of said specified alarm occurrence factor with respect to a node including said operation target and displays a list of read results in accordance with each occurrence factor when said operation target and said alarm occurrence factor are specified in said 26th window, and wherein said information processing means individually sets severity for an operator of its own apparatus in accordance with each alarm occurrence factor displayed in a list in said 26th window; and sets severity of each set alarm occurrence factor with respect to said node of said operation target.
30. The network management equipment according to claim 29, wherein said display controlling means displays a 17th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 27th window on said screen of said display unit when said 17th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 27th window: a node selection section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select a node as an operation target; and an operation mode specification section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify an operation mode of said node selected in said node selection section to either a maintenance state mode or a non-maintenance state mode, and wherein said information processing means sets said operation mode specified in said operation mode specification section with respect to said node selected by said node selection section.
31. The network management equipment according to claim 29, wherein said display controlling means displays an 18th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 28th window on said screen of said display unit when said 18th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 28th window: a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify a node as an operation target and shelves thereof, and set transmission or non-transmission of a maintenance signal to said specified operation target, and wherein said information processing means sets a content set in said 28th window with respect to a node including said operating target.
32. The network management equipment according to claim 29, wherein said display controlling means displays a 19th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 29th window on said screen of said display unit when said 19th button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said 29th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify a node as an operation target and shelves thereof, and set a threshold value of an alarm indicative of signal quality degradation with respect to said specified operation target; and sets said threshold value determined in said section with respect to a node including said operation target.
33. A network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of ring networks, each of a plurality of said ring networks including a plurality of nodes and a traffic bypass function, a plurality of said nodes being connected with each other in a ring form through a communication line in which a plurality of paths are multiplexed, said communication line including a working system line and a preliminary system line, said traffic bypass function is a function for causing service traffic transmitted through said working system line to make a detour to said preliminary system line, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing a state of said traffic bypass function in said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays on a screen of said display unit a clickable button for displaying on said screen of said display unit a window for setting parameters concerning said traffic bypass function.
34. The network management equipment according to claim 33, wherein said display controlling means displays a 21st button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 30th window on said screen of said display unit when said 21st button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 30th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify a transmission interval as an operation target and set values of said parameters concerning said traffic bypass function with respect to said specified operation target, and wherein said information processing means sets values determined in said section with respect to a node concerning said operation target.
35. The network management equipment according to claim 33, wherein said display controlling means displays a 22nd button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 31st window on said screen of said display unit when said 22nd button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 31st window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify a switching interval as an operation target, and setting forcible switching with respect to said specified operation target, and wherein said information processing means sets a switching state set in said 31st window with respect to a node concerning said operation target.
36. The network management equipment according to claim 33, wherein said display controlling means displays a 23rd button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 32nd window on said screen of said display unit when said 23rd button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said 32nd window a set status of a path in said network system with selected ring network; and divides a display area in said 32nd window in association with an interval between nodes belonging to said selected ring network, and displays in said divided area an arrow associated with each path existing in said divided area.
37. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means displays both a path as a symbol indicative of existence of a path and a current path indicative of a current state of said path.
38. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means divides said divided area in said 32nd window into an area corresponding to a working system and an area corresponding to a preliminary system, displays a second arrow forming a pair with said arrow, and displays said second arrow in either said area corresponding to said working system or said area corresponding to said preliminary system in accordance with a state of a path corresponding to said pair of arrows.
39. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein when a failure is generated in said network system, said display controlling means displays a display mode of said divided area in said 32nd window corresponding to an interval of said failure in distinction from an area in which no failure is generated.
40. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means displays in said 32nd window a scroll button for scrolling a display content in said 32nd window.
41. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means displays each identifier used for discriminating a path corresponding to said arrow in association with said arrow displayed in said 32nd window.
42. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means displays information indicative of a position to which said path corresponding to said arrow displayed in said 32nd window is dropped in association with said arrow.
43. The network management equipment according to claim 42, wherein said information indicative of said position to which said path is dropped includes at least a low-speed side channel number of a node to which said path is dropped and information indicative of a type of concatenation of said path.
44. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means displays a diagnostics button on said screen of said display unit; and displays a 33rd window on said screen of said display unit when said diagnostics button is clicked by said operating means, wherein said information processing means diagnoses in accordance with each node whether a first data base which is managed in accordance with each ring network and indicative of set statuses of all the paths which exist in said ring network is matched with a second data base which is managed in accordance with each node and indicative of the corresponding relationship between a high-speed side time slot and a low-speed side channel of said node, wherein said display controlling means displays a 33rd window on said screen of said display unit; and displays a result of diagnosis of matching of said first and second data bases diagnosed by said information processing means in said 33rd window, and wherein said information processing means executes processing for matching said first and second data bases with respect to a node concerning said result of diagnosis when it is determined that said first and second data bases are not matched with each other.
45. The network management equipment according to claim 36, wherein said display controlling means specifies a node, and displays on said screen of said display unit a 24th button used for asking said specified node for a request for releasing a resource which is not used in said specified node.
46. The network management equipment according to claim 33, wherein said display controlling means displays on said screen of said display unit a 25th button for locking or unlocking the operation of said traffic bypass function by an operator of its own apparatus.
47. The network management equipment according to claim 33, wherein said display controlling means displays on said screen of said display unit a 26th function button for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify a node and set how to take an operation clock in said specified node.
48. A communication path setting method in a network management equipment with a display unit which is provided in a network system including a plurality of ring networks, each of a plurality of said ring networks including a plurality of nodes connected to each other in a ring form through a communication line in which a plurality of communication paths are multiplexed, said method comprising: a step of selecting any ring network, dividing a screen of said display unit into a plurality of areas in association with intervals between nodes belonging to said selected ring network, and displaying in said divided areas each arrow corresponding to each communication path existing in said interval; a first step of specifying a low-speed side channel of a node as a start point of a communication path to be set on said screen; a second step of specifying a low-speed side channel of a node as an end point of said communication path to be set on said screen; a third step of displaying an arrow associated with said communication path to be set in a display area corresponding to a node interval specified in said first and second steps; a fourth step of repeating said first to third steps when there is any other communication path to be set; a fifth step of transmitting a request for setting a communication path corresponding to said arrow associated with said communication path to be set to a node concerning formation of said communication path; and a sixth step of causing a node which has accepted said request for setting said communication path to form a new communication path based on said request.
49. The communication path setting method according to claim 48, wherein said first and second steps also perform specification of a type of concatenation of said communication path to be set as well as specification of a low-speed side channel of a node.
50. The communication path setting method according to claim 49, wherein when said communication path to be set is a dual homing path, said method further comprises a seventh step of specifying a low-speed side channel of a node as an intermediate drop point of said communication path to be set, and wherein said first, second and seventh steps also perform setting of a node type in addition to specification of a low-speed side channel of a node.
51. The communication path setting method according to claim 48, wherein said communication line includes a working system line and a preliminary system line, and wherein when each of a plurality of said ring networks includes a traffic bypass function for causing service traffic transmitted through said working system line to make a detour to said preliminary system line, said sixth step includes: an eighth step of causing a node which has accepted a request for setting a communication path to lock said traffic bypass function of its own apparatus; a ninth step of forming a new communication path based on said request for setting a communication path upon completion of said eight step; and a tenth step of unlocking said traffic bypass function upon completion of said ninth step.
52. A network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes having a plurality of boards based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of said node, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means for accepting click operations by a user; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 27th button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 34th window on said screen of said display unit when said 27th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 34th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select one of said nodes existing in said network system and specify a low-speed board of said selected node, and wherein said information processing means deletes said low-speed side board selected in said 34th window from supervisory control targets of its own apparatus.
53. The network management equipment according to claim 52, wherein said display controlling means displays a 28th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 35th window on said screen of said display unit when said 28th button is clicked by said operating means; displays in said 35th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to specify an arbitrary node and specify a type of notification information transmitted from said specified node, and wherein said information processing means reads set states of destinations of said notification information specified in said 35th window from said specified node and displays a list of said set states in said 35th window; causes a user to set allowance or inhibition of notification of said specified notification information with respect to said destinations displayed in said list; and sets a content set in said 35th window with respect to said specified node.
54. A network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 29th button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 36th window on said screen of said display unit when said 29th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays a list of operators who are allowed to login to its own apparatus in said 36th window while associating a name of each operator with an expiration date of a password and an access level of said operator.
55. The network management equipment according to claim 54, wherein said display controlling means displays a 30th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 37th window on said screen of said display unit when said 30th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 37th window: a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to input a name of said operator; and a section for causing said operator to input a password of said operator and an access level of said operator, and wherein said information processing means newly registers said operator inputted in said 37th window as a user who can login to its own apparatus.
56. The network management equipment according to claim 54, wherein said display controlling means displays a 31st button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 38th window on said screen of said display unit when said 31st button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 38th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary node in said network system, wherein said information processing means reads names of network management equipments registered to said node selected in said 38th window from said selected node, and wherein said display controlling means displays in said 38th window a list of said names of network management equipments read by said information processing means.
57. The network management equipment according to claim 56, wherein said display controlling means displays a 32nd button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 39th window on said screen of said display unit when said 32nd button is clicked by said operating means; and display in said 39th window: a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary control apparatus in said network system; and a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to set an access level with respect to said network management equipment selected in said section, and wherein said information processing means determines said node selected in said 38th window as a control target of said network management equipment selected in said 39th window, and registers it together with said selected access level.
58. A network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of node, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 33rd button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 40th window on said screen of said display unit when said 33rd button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 40th window: a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary node in a network system; a list of a current set state of an operation reference time of each node selected in said section; and a section for causing a user to select an arbitrary apparatus from said list and causing a user to individually set an operation reference time with respect to said selected apparatus, and wherein said information processing means sets said operation reference time set in said 40th window with respect to said selected node.
59. The network management equipment according to claim 58, wherein said display controlling means displays a 34th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 41st window on said screen of said display unit when said 34th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 41st window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary node in said network system, wherein said information processing means reads version information of software installed in a node selected in said 41st window and a date of installation of said software from said selected node, and wherein said display controlling means displays in said 41st window said version information of said software read by said information processing means and said date of installation of said software.
60. The network management equipment according to claim 58, wherein said display controlling means displays a 35th button on said screen of said display unit; displays a 42nd window on said screen of said display unit when said 35th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 42nd window: a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary ring network in said network system; and current names of nodes belonging to said ring network together with a type drawing of said ring network selected in said section, and wherein when a name is newly given to a node arbitrarily selected in said 42nd window, said information processing means sets said name to said corresponding node.
61. A network management equipment provided to a network system including a plurality of nodes, said network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of said nodes; information processing means for managing said network system based on said notification information acquired by said information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by said information processing means on said display unit, wherein said display controlling means displays a 36th button on a screen of said display unit; displays a 43rd window on said screen of said display unit when said 36th button is clicked by said operating means; and displays in said 43rd window: a color specification button in accordance with each state that an object displayed on said screen of said display unit can enter; a color pallet to cause an operator of its own apparatus to set a display color of a state corresponding to said color specification button when said color specification button is arbitrarily clicked; an object displayed on said screen of said display unit in a display color set in said color pallet.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP01/01271, filed Feb. 21, 2001, which was not published under PCT Article 21(2) in English.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-043199, filed Feb. 21, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a network management equipment for managing a system in an information transmission system, e.g., an information transmission system such as an optical submarine cable system.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] In general, a node for transmitting communication data and a network management equipment for providing OAM (Operations, Administration and Maintenance) services to a communication network are provided to a transmission system.
[0007] Meanwhile, in recent years, the global spread of networks increases a number of devices constituting the networks, and a number of supervisory control targets (e.g., nodes) is thereby increasing. Therefore, the operation in the network management equipment becomes considerably troublesome and advanced, and the burden of operators is getting large.
[0008] As described above, in recent transmission systems, the operation in the network management equipment becomes troublesome and advanced, and the provision of any countermeasure is demanded.
[0009] In order to solve the above-described problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a network management equipment and a communication path setting method which can improve the human-machine interface and enhance the convenience of the operation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To achieve this aim, the present invention provides the following means.
[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of stations, a communication line provided between these stations, and one or a plurality of nodes which are respectively provided to the stations and connected to each other through the communication line, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit (for example, a display); information acquiring means (for example, a processor module) for acquiring notification information transmitted from each of a plurality of the nodes; information processing means (for example, a processor module) for managing states of occurrence of failures in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means (for example, the processor module and a graphic controller) for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays an area map of an area in which the network system is set on the display unit, displays a plurality of station icons respectively associated with the stations and a line associated with the communication line on the area map, displays a plurality of the station icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of failures in the respective corresponding stations, and displays the line in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of failures in the corresponding communication line.
[0012] By doing so, a station or a communication line with a failure can be recognized at a glance, and the human-machine interface can be improved.
[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of the nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means (for example, an input device) for accepting click operations by a user; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information including alarm information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; and a display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a first button (for example, "Notification" in FIG. 3) on a screen of the display unit, displays a first window (for example, FIG. 6) on the screen of the display unit when the first button is clicked by the operating means, and displays a list of notification information acquired by the information acquiring means in the first window in a text format together with a plurality of attributes characterizing respective sets of notification information.
[0014] As the attributes characterizing the notification information, there are a node which has transmitted the notification information, a ring network and a station to which that node belongs, an event type, a shelf of a node (object class), a card of a shelf (object instance) and others. The button is realized as a clickable icon displayed on the screen. By doing so, a list of the notification information acquired from the node can be recognized at a glance, and a procedure to get to this window can be extremely facilitated.
[0015] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided to a network system including a plurality of ring networks with a plurality of nodes connected to each other in the ring form through a communication line, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing states of occurrence of failures in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a sixth button (for example, "Alarm Summary" in FIG. 3) on a screen of the display unit, displays a sixth window (for example, FIG. 13) on the screen of the display unit when the sixth button is clicked by the operating means, displays a plurality of headers respectively associated with a plurality of the ring networks in the sixth window, displays a plurality of these headers in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of failures in the corresponding ring networks, displays a view showing a structure of a ring network corresponding to any clicked header in the sixth window when this header is clicked by the operating means, and displays a plurality of nodes shown in a view displaying the structure of the ring network in display modes which differ from each other depending on presence/absence of failures in the respective nodes.
[0016] By doing so, a ring network and a node in which failures exist can be recognized at a glance. Further, since the ring networks are displayed in a so-called tab (header) format, the selection operation can be facilitated.
[0017] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of stations, a communication line provided between these stations, and one or a plurality of nodes which are respectively provided to the stations and connected to each other through the communication line, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means for accepting first and second click operations (for example, right-click or left-click of a mouse) by a user which are different from each other; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing states of occurrence of failures in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a plurality of station icons (for example, Station A to Station G in FIG. 3) respectively associated with the stations on a screen of the display unit, displays a plurality of the station icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of failures in the respective corresponding stations, displays an eighth window (for example, FIG. 17) on the screen of the display unit when any of the station icons is clicked by the first click operation by the operating means, displays in the eighth window one or a plurality of node icons respectively associated with the nodes provided in a station corresponding to the clicked station icon, and displays one or a plurality of the node icons in a display mode which varies depending on presence/absence of failures in the respective corresponding nodes.
[0018] By doing so, a station having a node with a failure can be recognized at a glance.
[0019] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided to a network system including a plurality of ring networks, a plurality of the ring networks comprising a plurality of nodes, and a traffic bypass function, a plurality of the nodes being connected to each other in the ring form through a communication line, the communication line including a working system line and a preliminary system line, the traffic bypass function being a function which detours service traffic transmitted through the working system line to the preliminary system line and enters either an active status or a normal status, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of nodes; information processing means for managing statuses of the traffic bypass function in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a seventh button (for example, "HS APS Activate Summary" in FIG. 3) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 12th window (for example, FIGS. 20 and 21) on the screen of the display unit when the seventh button is clicked by the operating means, displays a plurality of icons respectively associated with a plurality of the ring networks in the 12th window, displays a plurality of the icons in a display mode which varies depending on whether the traffic bypass function in each corresponding ring network is in the active status or the normal status, and displays a plurality of the icons in a display mode which varies depending on whether the status of the traffic bypass function in each corresponding ring network is confirmed by an operator of its own apparatus.
[0020] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of the nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; storing means (for example, a memory module, an HD, and a CMT) for accumulating a history of the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by the information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 13th window (for example, FIG. 28) on a screen of the display unit, and displays in the 13th window a retrieval condition specification section for specifying retrieval conditions for retrieving desired notification information from a history accumulated in the storing means, wherein the information processing means retrieves notification information according to retrieval conditions specified in the 13th window from the history accumulated in the storing means, and wherein the display controlling means displays a 14th window (for example, FIG. 30) on the screen of the display unit and displays the notification information retrieved by the information processing means in the 14th window in a text format together with a plurality of attributes characterizing the retrieved notification information.
[0021] By doing so, a list of notification information which fulfills the desired condition can be displayed from the past history of the notification information acquired from the nodes, and the procedure to get the desired notification can be also extremely facilitated.
[0022] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of the nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of nodes; storing means for accumulating a history of the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by the information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays an 11th button (for example, "Performance Data Record Retrieval" in FIG. 60) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 19th window (for example, FIG. 61) on the screen of the display unit when the 11th button is clicked by the operating means, and displays in the 19th window a retrieval condition specification section for specifying retrieval conditions for retrieving desired notification information from a history accumulated in the storing means, wherein the information processing means retrieves notification information according to the retrieval conditions specified in the 13th window from the history accumulated in the storing means, and wherein the display controlling means displays a 20th window (for example, FIGS. 64 to 66) on the screen of the display unit, and makes a graph of and displays a result of retrieval of notification information by the information processing means in the 20th window.
[0023] By doing so, a result of retrieval of quality information can be grasped at a glance, which is convenient.
[0024] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of the nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing states of occurrence of the alarm in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 16th button (for example, "Probable Cause" in FIG. 76) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 26th window (for example, FIG. 77) on the screen of the display unit when the 16th button is clicked by the operating means, displays a first section for specifying an operation target of an emergency degree of the alarm in the 26th window, displays a second column for selecting a reason of occurrence of the alarm for the operation target specified in the first column, and reads a current setting state of the emergency degree of the specified factor of occurrence of alarm with respect to a node having the operation target, and displays a list of its result in accordance with each factor of occurrence when the operation target and the factor of occurrence of alarm are specified in the 26th window, and wherein the information processing means individually sets the emergency degree with respect to an operator of its own apparatus for each factor of occurrence of alarm displayed in the list format in the 26th window and sets the emergency degree for each set factor of occurrence of alarm with respect to the node of the operation target.
[0025] By doing so, it is possible to easily set the emergency degree for each of a plurality of factors of occurrence of alarm with respect to an arbitrary node (which must be allowed to be accessed) from the network management equipment side.
[0026] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of ring networks, a plurality of the ring networks including a plurality of nodes and a traffic bypass function, a plurality of the nodes being connected to each other in the ring form through a communication line in which a plurality of paths are multiplexed, the communication line including a working system line and a preliminary system line, the traffic bypass function being a function which detours service traffic transmitted through the working system line to the preliminary system line, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing states of the traffic bypass function in the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a clickable button for displaying on a screen of the display unit a window for setting parameters concerning the traffic bypass function on the screen of the display unit.
[0027] By doing so, various settings concerning paths in the network system can be set.
[0028] According to the present invention, there is provided a communication path setting method in a network management equipment with a display unit, the network management equipment being provided in a network system including a plurality of ring networks, each of a plurality of the ring networks including a plurality of nodes connected to each other in the ring form through a communication line in which a plurality of communication paths are multiplexed, the communication path setting method comprising: a step of selecting any ring network, dividing a screen of the display unit into a plurality of areas in association with each interval between nodes belonging to the selected ring network, and displaying in the divided area each arrow associated with a communication path existing in the interval; a first step of specifying on the screen a low-speed side channel of a node which is a start point of a communication path to be set; a second step of specifying on the screen a low-speed side channel of a node which is an end point of the communication path to be set; a third step of displaying an arrow associated with the communication path to be set in a display area according to a node interval specified by the first and second steps; a fourth step of repeating the first to third steps when there is any other communication path to be set; a fifth step of transmitting a request of setting a communication path according to an arrow associated with the communication path to be set to a node concerning formation of the communication path; and a sixth step of causing a node which has accepted the request of setting a communication path to form a new communication path based on the request.
[0029] Further, by doing so, the operation for setting the path can be intuitively performed, which is convenient.
[0030] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment for managing a network system including a plurality of nodes with a plurality of boards based on notification information transmitted from a plurality of nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; operating means for accepting click operations by a user; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; storing means for accumulating a history of the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by the information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 27th button (for example, "LS Card Control" in FIG. 107) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 34th window (for example, FIG. 108) on the screen of the display unit when the 27th button is clicked by the operating means, and displays in the 34th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select one of nodes existing in the network system and specify a low-speed side board of the selected node, and wherein the information processing means deletes the low-speed side board selected in the 34th window from the supervisory control target of its own apparatus.
[0031] By doing so, a procedure for deleting the low-speed side board from the supervisory target can be facilitated.
[0032] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 29th button (for example, "User Control" in FIG. 111) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 36th window (for example, FIG. 112) on the screen of the display unit when the 29th button is clicked by the operating means, and displays in the 36th window a list of operators who are permitted to log in its own apparatus while associating a term of validity of a password and an access level of each of the operators with a name of each operator.
[0033] As a result, users capable of logging in can be grasped at a glance.
[0034] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit, information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 33rd button (for example, "System Timing Setting" in FIG. 123) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 40th window (for example, FIG. 124) on the screen of the display unit when the 33rd button is clicked by the operating means, displays in the 40th window a section for causing an operator of its own apparatus to select an arbitrary node in the network system, displays a list of current setting states of an operation reference time of each node in accordance with each node selected in this section, and displays a section for causing the user to select an arbitrary apparatus from this list and individually causing the user to set the operation reference time with respect to the selected apparatus, and wherein the information processing means sets the operation reference time set in the 40th window with respect to the selected node.
[0035] Consequently, the operation for setting the operation reference time relative to each node can be facilitated.
[0036] According to the present invention, there is provided a network management equipment provided in a network system including a plurality of nodes, the network management equipment comprising: a display unit; information acquiring means for acquiring notification information respectively transmitted from a plurality of the nodes; information processing means for managing the network system based on the notification information acquired by this information acquiring means; and display controlling means for displaying information processed by this information processing means on the display unit, wherein the display controlling means displays a 36th button (for example, "Display" in FIG. 3) on a screen of the display unit, displays a 43rd window (for example, FIG. 138) on the screen of the display unit when the 36th button is clicked by the operating means, displays in the 43rd window a color specification button in accordance with each possible state of an object displayed on the screen of the display unit, displays a color pallet and causes an operator of its own apparatus to set a display color in a state according to the color specification button when an arbitrary color specification button is clicked, and displays an object shown on the screen of the display unit in a display color set in the color pallet.
[0037] As a result, when displaying on the display unit, color coding is performed in accordance with, e.g., a degree of a failure, and the state of the network system can be visually grasped at a glance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0038] FIG. 1 is a system structural view of a transmission system in which a network management equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention is set;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of a network management equipment (U-NME) 3 depicted in FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a view showing a main screen in a display 315 of the U-NME 3 illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a view showing a Login window;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a view showing a Change Password window;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a view showing a Notification Display window;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a view showing an Item Selection (Row) window;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a view showing an Item Selection (Column) window;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a view showing a Notification Detailed Display window;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a view showing an Alarm Cut Off window;
[0048] FIG. 11 is a view showing an U-NME Buzzer STOP window;
[0049] FIG. 12 is a view showing an HMI Property window;
[0050] FIG. 13 is a Network Alarm Summary Display window;
[0051] FIG. 14 is a view showing the state of a screen displayed when a Ring Network #01 tab is clicked in FIG. 13;
[0052] FIG. 15 is a view showing a Node Alarm Summary Display window;
[0053] FIG. 16 is a view showing a Shelf Alarm Summary Display window;
[0054] FIG. 17 is a view showing a Station Alarm Summary Display window;
[0055] FIG. 18 is a view showing a Selection window;
[0056] FIG. 19 is a view showing a NODE Configuration Get Display window;
[0057] FIG. 20 is a view showing an HS APS Activate Summary Display window;
[0058] FIG. 21 is a view showing the state that display of the HS APS Activate Summary Display window is switched;
[0059] FIG. 22 is a view showing a data table for managing the activation status of the HS APS in the network system in units of node;
[0060] FIG. 23 is a view showing a data table for managing the activation status of the HS APS in the network system in units of ring network;
[0061] FIG. 24 is a view showing a list of display patterns of the HS APS Activate Summary Display window;
[0062] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for illustrating an operation procedure of a network manager (operator) in the HS APS Activate Summary Display window;
[0063] FIG. 26 is a view showing an HS APS Detailed Display window;
[0064] FIG. 27 is a view showing a Log Control window;
[0065] FIG. 28 is a view showing a Record Retrieval window;
[0066] FIG. 29 is a view showing a Data Load window;
[0067] FIG. 30 is a NODE Alarm Record Retrieval Report window;
[0068] FIG. 31 is a NODE Alarm Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0069] FIG. 32 is a view showing a NODE Alarm Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0070] FIG. 33 is a view showing a CSV Format Convert window;
[0071] FIG. 34 is a Memo Data Input window;
[0072] FIG. 35 is a view showing an Object Creation/Deletion Record Retrieval Report window;
[0073] FIG. 36 is a view showing an Object Creation/Deletion Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0074] FIG. 37 is a view showing an Object Creation/Deletion Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0075] FIG. 38 is a view showing a State Change Record Retrieval Report window;
[0076] FIG. 39 is a view showing a State Change Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0077] FIG. 40 is a view showing a State Change Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0078] FIG. 41 is a view showing a Protection Control Record Retrieval Report window;
[0079] FIG. 42 is a Protection Control Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0080] FIG. 43 is a view showing a Protection Control Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0081] FIG. 44 is a view showing an U-NME Access Record Retrieval Report window;
[0082] FIG. 45 is a view showing an U-NME Access Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0083] FIG. 46 is a view showing an U-NME Access Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0084] FIG. 47 is a view showing a Security Alarm Record Retrieval Report window;
[0085] FIG. 48 is a view showing a Security Alarm Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0086] FIG. 49 is a view showing a Security Alarm Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0087] FIG. 50 is a view showing an SSE Alarm Record Retrieval Report window;
[0088] FIG. 51 is a view showing an SSE Alarm Record Retrieval Filter window;
[0089] FIG. 52 is a view showing an SSE Alarm Record Retrieval Item Selection window;
[0090] FIG. 53 is a view showing an U-NME Log Control window;
[0091] FIG. 54 is a view showing an U-NME Log Deletion window;
[0092] FIG. 55 is a view showing an U-NME Log Deletion Condition window;
[0093] FIG. 56 is a view showing a NODE Log Control window;
[0094] FIG. 57 is a view showing a NODE Selection window;
[0095] FIG. 58 is a view showing a Data Backup window;
[0096] FIG. 59 is a view showing a Backup window;
[0097] FIG. 60 is a view showing a Performance Control window;
[0098] FIG. 61 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval window;
[0099] FIG. 62 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval Condition window;
[0100] FIG. 63 is a view showing a Data Load window;
[0101] FIG. 64 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval Report (Graph) window;
[0102] FIG. 65 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval Report (Graph) window;
[0103] FIG. 66 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval Report (Graph) window;
[0104] FIG. 67 is a view showing a Scale Setting window;
[0105] FIG. 68 is a view showing a Performance Data Record Retrieval Report (Table) window;
[0106] FIG. 69 is a view showing a Memo Data Input window;
[0107] FIG. 70 is a view showing a CSV Format Convert window;
[0108] FIG. 71 is a view showing a Daily/Monthly/Annual Report Print window;
[0109] FIG. 72 is a view showing a Quality of Service Alarm Control window;
[0110] FIG. 73 is a view showing a NODE/Channel/Section Selection window;
[0111] FIG. 74 is a view showing an example of a daily report of quality information;
[0112] FIG. 75 is a view showing an Alarm Control window;
[0113] FIG. 76 is a view showing an Alarm Severity Control window;
[0114] FIG. 77 is a view showing a Probable Cause Selection window;
[0115] FIG. 78 is a view showing a Maintenance Control window;
[0116] FIG. 79 is a view showing a Maintenance Signal Insertion Control window;
[0117] FIG. 80 is a view showing a NODE/Shelf Selection window;
[0118] FIG. 81 is a view showing an Insertion Mode Setting window;
[0119] FIG. 82 is a view showing an SD Threshold Control window;
[0120] FIG. 83 is a view showing a NODE/Shelf Selection window;
[0121] FIG. 84 is a view showing an SD Threshold Setting window;
[0122] FIG. 85 is a view showing a Network Configuration window;
[0123] FIG. 86 is a view showing an APS Control window;
[0124] FIG. 87 is a view showing a Protection Section Selection window;
[0125] FIG. 88 is a view showing an APS Setting window;
[0126] FIG. 89 is a view showing a Protection Switching Control window;
[0127] FIG. 90 is a view showing a Switching Section Selection window;
[0128] FIG. 91 is a view showing a Path Configuration Control window;
[0129] FIG. 92 is a view showing a Path Configuration window;
[0130] FIG. 93 is a view showing a Path Update window;
[0131] FIG. 94 is a view showing a Node Information window;
[0132] FIG. 95 is a view showing a Path Name Update window;
[0133] FIG. 96 is a view showing a Path Name Input window;
[0134] FIG. 97 is a view showing a Diagnostics window;
[0135] FIG. 98 is a view showing an Irregular GTP Deletion window;
[0136] FIG. 99 is a view showing a Protection Status Information window;
[0137] FIG. 100 is a view showing a display example of a Path Configuration Control window;
[0138] FIG. 101 is a view showing a Ring Map Administrative Control window;
[0139] FIG. 102 is a view showing a Ring Network Selection window;
[0140] FIG. 103 is a view showing a Ring Map Administrative Setting window;
[0141] FIG. 104 is a view showing a NODE Timing mode Control window;
[0142] FIG. 105 is a view showing a Station/Ring Network Selection window;
[0143] FIG. 106 is a view showing a NODE Timing Mode Setting window;
[0144] FIG. 107 is a view showing a NODE Function window;
[0145] FIG. 108 is a view showing an LS Card Control window;
[0146] FIG. 109 is a view showing a Notification Reporting Control window;
[0147] FIG. 110 is a view showing a Notification Selection window;
[0148] FIG. 111 is a view showing a Security Control window;
[0149] FIG. 112 is a view showing an User Control window;
[0150] FIG. 113 is a view showing an Add User window;
[0151] FIG. 114 is a view showing a Change Password window;
[0152] FIG. 115 is a view showing a Change Access Level window;
[0153] FIG. 116 is a view showing a Change Valid Date window;
[0154] FIG. 117 is a view showing a Machine-Machine Security window;
[0155] FIG. 118 is a view showing an Equipment Selection window;
[0156] FIG. 119 is a view showing an Add Manager window;
[0157] FIG. 120 is a view showing a Manager Name Selection window;
[0158] FIG. 121 is a view showing a Change Manager Level window;
[0159] FIG. 122 is a view showing an Auto Logout Time Setting window;
[0160] FIG. 123 is a view showing a System Service window;
[0161] FIG. 124 is a view showing a System Time Setting window;
[0162] FIG. 125 is a view showing a Station/Ring Network Selection window;
[0163] FIG. 126 is a view showing a Software Information window;
[0164] FIG. 127 is a view showing a NODE Selection window;
[0165] FIG. 128 is a view showing a Name Setting window;
[0166] FIG. 129 is a view showing a Ring Network Selection window;
[0167] FIG. 130 is a view showing an Auto Time Adjustment Setting window;
[0168] FIG. 131 is a view showing an SSE Switching Control window;
[0169] FIG. 132 is a view showing a NODE Access Route Control window;
[0170] FIG. 133 is a view showing a DB Synchronizing Control window;
[0171] FIG. 134 is a view showing a Station Selection window;
[0172] FIG. 135 is a view showing an example of a CAUTION window;
[0173] FIG. 136 is a type drawing showing the state when matching of data of the SSE 2 is performed between different stations;
[0174] FIG. 137 is a type drawing showing the state of setting a detour between the U-NME 3 and a NODE 1-1;
[0175] FIG. 138 is a view showing a Display Control window; and
[0176] FIG. 139 is a view showing a Color Selection window.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0177] Embodiments according to the present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0178] FIG. 1 is a system structural view of a transmission system in which a network management equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention is set. In FIG. 1, a plurality of nodes (NODE) 1-1 to 1-n are set in a plurality of stations (Stations) ST-1 to ST-m. The nodes 1-1 to 1-n are connected to each other in the ring form through a high-speed line OL, thereby forming a plurality of ring networks. That is, n ring networks exist, and each ring network provided with m nodes 1-1, 1-2, . . . , 1-n is formed.
[0179] The high-speed line OL is realized as a synchronous multiplex line having, e.g., an STM-64 (Synchronous Transfer Module-level 64: corresponding to 10 Gbps) class transmission capacity. The high-speed line OL forming each ring network transmits optical signals. A wavelength of this optical signal differs in accordance with each ring network, and the optical signals having such wavelengths are wavelength-multiplexed, thus forming a wavelength multiplex line FL.
[0180] The nodes 1-1 to 1-n in the respective stations ST-1 to ST-m are respectively connected to an in-station network management equipment (SSE) 2 in accordance with each station. The SSE 2 is further connected to a network management equipment (U-NME) 3 through a LAN. Furthermore, a router 4 is connected to the LAN, and a supervisory control line ML for connecting the U-NMEs 3 of the respective stations is formed through the router 4. It is to be noted that the supervisory control line ML depicted in FIG. 1 is logically realized by a DCC (Data Communication Channel) and the like defined by an SOH (Section Over Head) of an SDH frame transmitted through the wavelength multiplex line FL.
[0181] FIG. 2 shows a structure of the network management equipment (U-NME) 3 illustrated in FIG. 1. The U-NME 3 is in charge of supervisory control across the net. The U-NME 3 in FIG. 2 includes: a memory module 31; a processor module 32; a bridge 33; an SCSI controller 34; an HD (hard disk drive) 35; an 8-mm CMT (Cassette Magnetic Tape) 36; a graphic controller 37; an Ethernet controller 38; a bus controller 39; an FDD (floppy disk drive) 310; an interface (I/F) 311; a display interface (I/F) 312; LAN interfaces (I/F) 313 and 314; a display 315; Hubs 316 and 317; a printer 318; an input device 319 (for example, a keyboard, a mouse and others); a sound controller 320; a buzzer interface (I/F) 321; and a buzzer 322.
[0182] Among these members, the human-machine interface unit consisting of the display 315, the 8-mm CMT 36, the FDD 310, the printer 318, the input device 319, the buzzer 322 and others has strong ties with the idea of the present invention. It is to be noted that the mouse of the input device 319 is provided with two right and left click buttons for clicking icons or objects on the display 315.
[0183] The effect in the above-described structure will now be described. In the following description, there are provided 14 chapters consisting of (Observation Display), (U-NME shutdown), (Login/Logout), (Notification Display), (Alarm Summary Display), (HS APS Activate Summary Display), (Log Control), (Performance Control), (Alarm Control), (Network Configuration), (NODE Function), (Security Control), (System Service), and (Display Control) for the sake of convenience.
[0184] Each function provided to the network management equipments M1 to Mn described below is newly implemented by applying, for example, patches to a control program mainly executed by the processor module 32 shown in FIG. 2. This control program is written in a special-purpose language and stored in the memory module 31, the HD 35 and the like.
[0185] It is to be noted that the system with n=32 and m=7 is assumed in FIG. 1 in the following description for the sake of convenience. That is, there is assumed a system which includes 32 ring networks and also includes 7 NODES for each ring network.
[0186] (Observation Display)
[0187] FIG. 3 shows a screen shown on the display 315 when the U-NME 3 is activated. This screen is referred to as "Observation Display" (a name of the screen is displayed in the uppermost part of the screen) and displayed as a background screen. Accordingly, it is determined that a window shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as a "main screen".
[0188] In the main screen, various settings which are enabled from the U-NME 3 or respective buttons for displaying supervisory information and others are displayed, and clicking these respective buttons displays various function screens (windows).
[0189] In order to facilitate visual comprehension of the entire network system structure, a map of areas in which the systems are set is displayed in the main screen shown in FIG. 3. In this main screen, respective station icons indicative of Station A to Station G and transmission path icons indicative of transmission paths (corresponding to the wavelength multiplex lines FL in FIG. 1) connecting the respective stations are graphically displayed so as to be superposed on the map. Each station icon is displayed as a sign (.smallcircle.) and each transmission path icon is displayed as a line. A time according to a time zone in an area in which a station is set is displayed in the vicinity of the corresponding station icon.
[0190] The present time indicated by the Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) is also displayed in this main screen. In such a system cutting across nations as shown in FIG. 1, when time information added to various information concerning the entire network is displayed in terms of the local time, the context of the occurrence time of each piece of information is hard to be grasped. In this embodiment, therefore, Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) is used.
[0191] Further, by changing display colors of the station icon and the transmission path icon displayed on the main screen in FIG. 3, presence/absence of occurrence of a failure and a degree of a failure can be indicated. For example, as to display colors when a failure occurs, if a level of the failure in the Station A is critical and that of the failure of the transmission path is minor, the icon of the Station A is displayed in red and the transmission path icon is displayed in yellow, respectively. Furthermore, a station and a cable with no failure are displayed in, for example, green.
[0192] It is assumed that, among 32 NODEs belonging to the Station A, failures are generated in any or a plurality of NODEs. Moreover, it is assumed that a failure is generated in the transmission path connecting the Station D and the Station E. The U-NME 3 grasps information that these failures are generated based on the notification information notified from each NODE. At this moment, the icon of the transmission path connecting Station D and Station E and the icon of Station A are displayed in display colors different from other colors in accordance with a degree of that failure on the main screen in FIG. 3.
[0193] Now, clickable function buttons are displayed on the main screen in FIG. 3. That is, there are displayed a Notification button, an Alarm Summary button, an HS APS Activate Summary button, a LOG button, a Performance button, an Alarm button, a Network Configuration button, a Node Function button, a Security button, a System Service button, a Display button, an U-NME shutdown button, and a Login/Logout button.
[0194] Among these buttons, the Notification button, the Alarm Summary button and the HS APS Activate Summary button in the upper left part and the Login/Logout button in the upper right part are constantly displayed in the active mode. On the contrary, another nine buttons are displayed in the active or inactive mode in accordance with a level of a login user.
[0195] Now, it is assumed that no one is currently logged-in to the U-NME 3 displaying the screen in FIG. 3. At this moment, the nine buttons consisting of the Log button, the Performance button, the Alarm button, the Network Configuration button, the Node Function button, the Security button, the System Service button, the Display button and the U-NME Shutdown button are displayed in the inactive manner. It is to be noted that the inactive display is a display mode in which a color of a character is thinned or a character is drawn with a dotted line and indicates the state which does not respond to the click operation.
[0196] (Login/Logout)
[0197] Description will be first given as to login and logout.
[0198] When the Login/Logout button in FIG. 3 is clicked, a Login window shown in FIG. 4 is displayed, and the login process is started. Input sections of a user name (User Name) and a password (Password) are provided in this login window. When a user inputs his/her name and password in the window in FIG. 4 and clicks an Exec button, he/she can login to the U-NME 3. On the contrary, when a Quit button is clicked, the login process is stopped.
[0199] However, when a user who logs in for the first time performs the above-described operation, the Login window is closed after the Exec button is clicked, and a Change Password window shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In this window, input sections for an old password (Old Password), a new password (New Password), password confirmation (Confirm Password) are displayed together with the inputted user name. When the Exec button is clicked in the window shown in FIG. 5 after inputting data in each section, setting of a password is completed. In addition, when the Quit button is clicked in the window shown in FIG. 5, the processing for changing the password is aborted, and the window is closed.
[0200] When the login processing is completed in this manner, some of the buttons shown in FIG. 3 are changed from the inactive display mode to the active display mode in accordance with a level of the login user.
[0201] On the other hand, in order to log out from the login state, the Login/Logout button shown in FIG. 3 is clicked. Then, a CAUTION window (not shown) indicating a message "Do you execute the logout processing? Click the OK button to execute or click the Cancel button to cancel" is displayed. In this way, the correct processing is urged upon user. When the user clicks the OK button or the Cancel button provided in this window, the appropriate operation is carried out.
[0202] However, when the Login/Logout button is clicked during execution of the operation which greatly influences the network system such as a path setting operation, the CAUTION window (not shown) showing a message "The path setting control function is executed. Logout cannot be accepted. Please retry after completion of the path setting control processing" is displayed, and this window indicates that the logout processing cannot be accepted.
[0203] With a number of function screens which can be opened on the main screen reaching a maximum number, when another screen is tried to be opened, the CAUTION window (not shown) showing a message "Exceeding the maximum simultaneous activation number" is displayed.
[0204] (U-NME Shutdown)
[0205] Description will now be given as to the U-NME Shutdown.
[0206] When the U-NME Shutdown button on the main screen is clicked, the U-NME 3 is shut down.
[0207] (Notification Display)
[0208] Description will now be given as to the Notification function for displaying a list of notification information from objects such as respective nodes and the like which are the supervisory target of the U-NME 3.
[0209] When the Notification button is clicked in the main screen in FIG. 3, a Notification Display window shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. A list of information indicative of states of objects (for example, each NODE or transmission path) which are the supervisory target of the U-NME 3 is displayed in the text format in this window.
[0210] The above-described information includes alarm information generated in each node or performance data concerning the transmission quality of data. Such information is information notified from each NODE to the U-NME 3 as notification information (Notification).
[0211] Each node periodically monitors a value of performance data which is a numeric value indicative of the state in accordance with each performance event (which will be referred to as an event hereinafter) such as a bit error rate of transmission data or a number of times of occurrence of transmission path failures. The notification information is generated in each node based on this monitoring result.
[0212] The notification information notified from each NODE is displayed from the top in time series, for example, in the order of occurrence in the display area in FIG. 6. Since it is difficult to display data included in the notification information all at once, horizontal and vertical scroll buttons are provided in the window shown in FIG. 6. Additionally, a Scroll Lock check box for locking scrolling is provided in the FIG. 6 window. Checking this box can lock scrolling.
[0213] Attributes of the notification information consisting of Time, Date, Ring Network, Station, NODE/SSE, Event Type and Shelf (Object Class) are displayed in the item area in FIG. 6. Besides, although not shown in the drawing, there are more items on the right side of the Shelf (Object Class). This can be displayed in the window by operating the horizontal scroll button.
[0214] The items Time and Date indicate the time and date of occurrence of an event. The item Ring Network indicates an identifier of a ring network in which an event has occurred among the 32 ring networks. The item Station indicates an identifier of a station to which the NODE in which an event has occurred belongs among the seven stations. The item NODE/SSE indicates an inherent name (for example, a nickname) given to the NODE or SSE in which an event has occurred. The item Event Type indicates a type of an event. The item Shelf (Object Class) indicates a shelf in which an event has occurred in the NODE having that event.
[0215] It is to be noted that "a shelf" means one of the parts forming a NODE. Each NODE is formed by a plurality of shelves. Further, the shelf is configured to include a plurality of boards such as interface boards or control boards.
[0216] There are two buttons indicated as Item Selection in the FIG. 6
window. That is, there are a Row button and a Column button. Of these buttons, when the Row button is clicked, an Item Selection (Row) window shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. This window is used for filtering in the display area in FIG. 6.
[0217] A plurality of scroll windows for specifying attributes of each item are displayed in the FIG. 7 window. After items shown in each scroll window are arbitrarily selected (selected lines are displayed inverted), when the Exec button is clicked, the content of each item is filtered based on the result of above-described selection. Then, display of the screen returns to the FIG. 6 window, and only the filtered content is displayed.
[0218] Furthermore, the Cancel button is displayed in the window shown in FIG. 7. When this Cancel button is clicked, setting is aborted. Moreover, a Default button is displayed in the FIG. 7 window. When this Default button is clicked, the set content is returned to the initial state (that is, the state that all the attributes of each item are selected).
[0219] Subsequently, when the Column button is clicked in FIG. 6, an Item Selection (Column) window shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. This window is used for changing the order of the displayed contents in FIG. 6
(sorting). As set items in the FIG. 8 window, there are (Common Item), (Alarm Notification), (State Change Notification), (Protection Switch Reporting Notification), and (Security Alarm Notification). A numeric figure indicative of the priority is shown on the right-hand side of each of these items. In FIG. 8, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are shown from the left (Common Item) in the mentioned order.
[0220] That is, the items displayed in the item area in FIG. 6 are sequentially displayed from the left in accordance with the priority. Of course, the contents displayed in the display area also move in the right and left directions in accordance with the order of display of the items. This priority can be freely changed in the window shown in FIG. 8.
[0221] In addition, a check box is provided for each item in FIG. 8. Checking this check box can display only the checked item in the FIG. 6
window.
[0222] Incidentally, after each item is set in the FIG. 8 window, when the Exec button is clicked, the set content is validated, and the display format in FIG. 7 is changed. When the Cancel button shown in FIG. 8 is clicked, the operation using the FIG. 8 window is aborted, and the window shown in FIG. 8 is closed.
[0223] Subsequently, when a specific line (for example, the second line from the top) in the display area is selected (clicked) in FIG. 6, a Notification Detailed Display window in FIG. 9 is displayed. This window displays the further detailed content of the notification information of the selected line in the text format. As a result, the further detailed information can be displayed in the clearly understandable manner in accordance with individual notification information. Additionally, although there are some specific events which cannot be shown in FIG. 6, all the information can be displayed without omission by using the FIG. 9
window.
[0224] Description will now be given as to a window displayed when an ACO (Alarm Cut Off) button is clicked in FIG. 6. When the ACO button in FIG. 6 is clicked, the Alarm Cut Off window in FIG. 10 is displayed. This window is a window used for selecting and specifying a NODE which should not accept the alarm notification (mask the alarm notification) among the NODEs which are the supervisory targets of the U-NME 3.
[0225] The window shown in FIG. 10 includes two scroll windows. All the NODEs which are the supervisory targets of the U-NME 3 at the present time are displayed in one scroll window (upper part in FIG. 10). When the Exec button is clicked after an arbitrary NODE is selected in this window, the setting for masking reception of the alarm is enabled for the selected NODE.
[0226] When the Quit button is clicked in the FIG. 10 window, the operation using this window is terminated, and the window shown in FIG. 10 is closed. Further, the content of accessing the selected NODE is displayed as, e.g., OK or NG (No Good) in the other scroll window (Console).
[0227] An U-NME Buzzer STOP window shown in FIG. 11 will now be described. In the U-NME 3, when a predetermined notification is received from the NODE, the buzzer 322 is sounded so that a user can be informed of reception of the notification. The FIG. 1 window is a window for stopping the sound of the buzzer 322. That is, when the STOP button shown in FIG. 11 is clicked, the sound of the buzzer is stopped, and this window is closed. Types of the notification to which the buzzer 322 should react and be sounded are set in a next HMI (Human Machine Interface) Property window shown in FIG. 12.
[0228] The HMI Property window shown in FIG. 12 will now be explained. The HMI Property window depicted in FIG. 12 is displayed when the HMI Property button shown in FIG. 6 is clicked. This window is used for setting conditions for sounding the buzzer 322 and conditions for displaying the FIG. 11 U-NME Buzzer STOP window.
[0229] In the FIG. 12 window is provided a radio button for setting whether the Notification Display window shown in FIG. 6 is automatically opened as "Window Auto Open". If ON is checked by this radio button, when the notification is received from any NODE, the FIG. 6 Notification Display window is automatically opened (popped up).
[0230] Moreover, a radio button for specifying On/Off is displayed as the NME Buzzer in the FIG. 12 window in accordance with each event from the Communications Alarm to the State Change. By specifying On or Off by each radio button, it is possible to set conditions under which the buzzer 322
is sounded in accordance with each designated event. For example, in the FIG. 12 window, three events, i.e., the Communications Alarm, the Equipment Alarm and the Environmental Alarm are in the ON state. In this set state, only when the information of occurrence of any of these events is notified from any NODE, the buzzer 322 of the U-NME 3 is sounded.
[0231] Furthermore, in FIG. 12, the importance levels of the events Communications Alarm to Security Alarm can be specified. In FIG. 12, "Critical" (most important) is specified for all the events. When an event type with the highest importance level among the respective event types is notified, the buzzer 322 is sounded. That is, in the setting in FIG. 12, when any of the Communication Alarm on the Critical level, the Equipment Alarm on the Critical level and the Environmental Alarm on the Critical level is notified, the buzzer 322 is sounded.
[0232] When the Exec button is clicked in the FIG. 12 window, each setting mentioned above is enabled. Moreover, when the Quit button depicted in FIG. 12 is clicked, the setting operation is aborted, and the FIG. 12
window is closed.
[0233] Besides, in the window in FIG. 12, the volume level (Volume Level) of the buzzer 322 can be set in a range of 0 to 100%.
[0234] In addition, a Clear Display button is displayed in the FIG. 12
window. This button is used for clearing the display content of the Notification Display window illustrated in FIG. 6. That is, the items are accumulatively displayed in the display area in FIG. 6 every time an event is generated. If this remains untouched, it disadvantageously takes a time for user to reach desired information by scrolling the screen.
[0235] Thus, when the Clear Display button is clicked and the content in the display area in FIG. 6 is cleared from the screen, the above-described disadvantage can be eliminated.
[0236] Incidentally, even if the display content in FIG. 6 is cleared, the notification data stored in a data base (for example, a predetermined storage area in the hard disk 35) of the U-NME 3 is not erased but kept being accumulated.
[0237] (Alarm Summary Display)
[0238] Description will now be given as to an Alarm Summary function for setting display of the occurrence statuses of alarms or display conditions of alarms.
[0239] A window which is displayed when the Alarm Summary button shown in FIG. 3 is clicked will be explained. When the Alarm Summary button is clicked, a Network Alarm Summary Display window depicted in FIG. 13 is displayed. This window displays statuses of occurrence of alarms in the system shown in FIG. 1 in the text format and by graphical images. In FIG. 13, a position where an alarm is generated, an expected cause (Probable Cause), and an importance level (Severity) are displayed in the text format in accordance with each generated alarm. This window displays a position where an alarm is generated in detail. For example, this window displays which Ring Network, which Station, which NODE, which Shelf and which Card (board) caused the alarm.
[0240] A first characteristic of the FIG. 13 window is that a plurality of tabs are displayed and one of a plurality of the ring networks can be selected in association with each tab. That is, when any of a plurality of the tabs displayed on the left side of the window is clicked, one of the 32 ring networks is selected. It is to be noted that an ALL tab is selected in FIG. 13. When this tab is clicked, data concerning all the ring networks is displayed in the text format as shown in FIG. 13.
[0241] A second characteristic of the FIG. 13 window is that a tab corresponding to the ring network in which a failure exists is displayed in a color different from those of other tabs. For example, a display color of a tab corresponding to the ring network without a failure is green, and a tab corresponding to the ring network having a failure is displayed in red. It is to be noted that a color of the tab may be changed in accordance wit