Visualization of changes and trends over time in performance data over a network path

摘要

A system and technique for visualizing changes and trends in performance data over a network path are disclosed. More specifically, a network management system generates and displays an object that represents data for one or more performance characteristics related to a plurality of network nodes in the network path. The object is dynamically updated to include updated data related to the one or more performance characteristics. In one embodiment, a representation of the updated data is superimposed over representations of previously collected data relating to the performance characteristics. The transparency of the representations associated with the previously collected data may reflect a difference in time between the current time and the time at which the data was collected. In another embodiment, a timeline is included in the object that tracks the state of the object at one or more previous points in time.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
generating an object within a graphical user interface (GUI) to display first data associated with at least one performance characteristic via a first representation within the object, wherein the at least one performance characteristic is related to one or more network nodes in a network path, wherein the first data is received at a first time; updating the object to display second data associated with the at least one performance characteristic via a second representation within the object, wherein the second data is received at a second time that is subsequent to the first time; and updating the object to display third data associated with the at least one performance characteristic via a third representation within the object by:
removing the first representation from the object;adjusting a level of transparency of the second representation; andsuperimposing the third representation on top of the second representation within the object, wherein the third data is received at a third time that is subsequent to the first time and to the second time.