Information display device, information display method, and control program

Abstract

Provided is an information display device that allows an operator to understand the configuration of a network at a glance. The information display device is provided with: an acquisition unit that acquires constituent element information indicating constituent elements constituting a network and the relationship between the constituent elements; a topology map creation unit that creates a topology map indicating the relationship between the constituent elements on the basis of the constituent elements and the association between the relationship between the constituent elements and arrangement rules; and a display unit that displays the topology map.

Description

Information display device, information display method, and control program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information display device, an information display method, and a control program.

[0002] For networks currently in operation, a topology map is displayed in which the network components are represented as nodes and the relationships between the components are represented as edges. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a management server that generates logical topology information for a virtual network based on a setting pattern for identifying virtual resources and a connection pattern for identifying the connection relationships between the virtual resources.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-81053

[0004] The management server described in Patent Document 1 simply displays the connection relationships between virtual resources as a topology map, which has the problem that an operator cannot understand the configuration at a glance.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an exemplary purpose thereof is to provide a technology that allows an operator to understand the configuration of a network at a glance.

[0006] An information display device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating the components that constitute a network and the relationships between the components, a topology map creation unit that creates a topology map indicating the relationships between the components based on a correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and a placement rule, and a display unit that displays the topology map.

[0007] An information display method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes acquiring component information indicating components constituting a network and relationships between the components, creating a topology map indicating relationships between the components based on correspondence between the components and relationships between the components and placement rules, and displaying the topology map.

[0008] A control program according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processes: acquiring component information indicating the components that make up a network and the relationships between the components; creating a topology map indicating the relationships between the components based on a correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and a placement rule; and displaying the topology map.

[0009] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary effect is achieved in that a technology can be provided that allows an operator to understand the configuration of a network at a glance.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of an information display method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement rule stored in an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of component information stored in an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of component information stored in an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional topology map. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a topology map created by an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a topology map created by an information display device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the flow of an information display method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer functioning as an information display device according to the present disclosure.

[0011] The following are examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technologies (part or all of the products or methods) employed in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments obtained by appropriately omitting some of the technologies employed in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the effects mentioned in the exemplary embodiments shown below are examples of effects expected in the exemplary embodiments, and do not define the scope of the present invention. In other words, embodiments that do not exhibit the effects mentioned in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0012] [First Exemplary Embodiment] A first exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form for each of the exemplary embodiments described below. Note that the scope of application of each technique employed in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technique employed in this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical obstacles arise. Furthermore, each technique shown in the drawings referenced to explain this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical obstacles arise.

[0013] (Configuration of Information Display Device) The information display device 10 is a display device that displays a network configuration in the form of a topology map. A topology map is a map that represents the components that make up a network as nodes and the relationships between the components as edges.

[0014] The configuration of the information display device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information display device 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the information display device 10 includes an acquisition unit 11, a topology map creation unit 12, and a display unit 13.

[0015] The acquisition unit 11 acquires component information indicating components that configure a network and relationships between the components.

[0016] The topology map creation unit 12 uses the components and the relationships between the components acquired by the acquisition unit 11 to create a topology map showing the relationships between the components based on the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the placement rules.

[0017] The display unit 13 is a display device that displays the topology map. The display unit 13 may be realized by any device that can display information, and examples of the display unit 13 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

[0018] (Effects of Information Display Device) As described above, the information display device 10 employs a configuration that creates a topology map showing the relationships between the components based on the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the arrangement rules. Therefore, according to the information display device 10, the topology map is created using the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the arrangement rules. Therefore, if the arrangement rules are easy for the operator to understand at a glance, the effect is achieved that the operator can easily understand the components of the network and the relationships between the components just by glancing at the topology map.

[0019] (Flow of Information Display Method) The flow of the information display method in the information display device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow diagram showing the flow of the information display method. As shown in Fig. 2, the information display method includes an acquisition process S101, a topology map creation process S102, and a display process S103.

[0020] In the acquisition process S101, component information indicating the components that make up the network and the relationships between the components is acquired.

[0021] In the topology map creation process S102, the components and the relationships between the components acquired in the acquisition process S101 are used to create a topology map showing the relationships between the components based on the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the placement rules.

[0022] In the display process S103, the topology map created in the topology map creation process S102 is displayed.

[0023] (Effects of the Information Display Method) As described above, the information display method employs a configuration for creating a topology map showing the relationships between the components based on the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the placement rules. Therefore, according to the information display method, a topology map is created using the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and the placement rules. Therefore, if the placement rules are easy for an operator to understand at a glance, the effect is achieved in that the operator can easily understand the components of the network and the relationships between the components just by glancing at the topology map.

[0024] Second Exemplary Embodiment A second exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions as those described in the above exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. The scope of application of each technique employed in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technique employed in this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical hindrance occurs. Furthermore, each technique shown in each drawing referenced to describe this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical hindrance occurs.

[0025] (Configuration of information display device) The configuration of the information display device 10A will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information display device 10A. In addition to the acquisition unit 11, topology map creation unit 12, and display unit 13 provided in the information display device 10, the information display device 10A also includes a configuration information database 21 and a storage unit 22.

[0026] The acquisition unit 11 acquires the component information 201 stored in the configuration information database 21. Then, the acquisition unit 11 notifies the topology map creation unit 12 of the acquired component information 201.

[0027] The component information 201 is information that indicates the components that make up the network and the relationships between the components. Examples of the components include the following: (1) Location: Indicates a base that makes up an organization included in the network. For example, this is a head office or a branch office. Location can be called an element that indicates a base. (2) Building: Indicates a building that makes up a base. For example, building 1, building 2, etc. Building can be called an element that indicates a building. (3) Area: Indicates an area within a building. For example, a server room. Area can be called an element that indicates an area. (4) Rack: Indicates a rack on which equipment is installed. Rack can be called an element that indicates a rack. (5) Switch: Indicates a switch, which is a type of network equipment. Switch can be called an element that indicates a network equipment. (6) Router: Indicates a router, which is a type of network equipment. Router can be called an element that indicates a network equipment. (7) Server: Indicates a server connected to a network device. Server can be called an element indicating a server. (8) Terminal: Indicates a terminal connected to a network device. For example, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, etc. Terminal can be called an element indicating a terminal.

[0028] In addition, examples of relationships between components include the following: (1) Located_on: Indicates a relationship in which an area is contained within a building, or a relationship in which a building is contained within a base. (2) Hosted_on: Indicates a relationship in which a network device, server, terminal, etc. is installed within a building or area. (3) Include: Indicates a relationship in which a certain abstract component contains another concrete component. For example, when a single virtual network device is configured using multiple physical network devices using virtualization technology, the abstract component and the concrete component are the concrete component and the abstract component, respectively. (4) Join_in: Indicates a relationship in which a network device, server, or terminal is connected to a logical network. A logical network refers to, for example, an IP network. (5) Conn_to: Indicates a relationship in which a network device, server, terminal, etc. are physically connected.

[0029] The topology map creation unit 12 uses the components and the relationships between the components included in the component information 201 acquired by the acquisition unit 11 to create a topology map showing the relationships between the components based on the placement rules 202. The placement rules 202 define how the components and the relationships between the components are to be placed and displayed in the topology map. The placement rules 202 include a component model that defines the placement positions of the components themselves, and a relationship model that defines how the relationships between the components are to be displayed.

[0030] The component-type model defines the placement order (priority) of each component. The higher the placement order of a component, the further upstream in the network it is placed. The relationship-type model defines the display format of the relationships between components and their placement order (priority). Examples of display formats include a format in which one component displays a frame (enclosure) surrounding another component, and a format in which arrows connecting the components are displayed.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows an example of the placement rule 202. The placement rule 202A shown in FIG. 4 indicates a component-type model, and the placement rule 202B indicates a relationship-type model. In the example shown in the placement rule 202A, the components are specified as "Location," "Building," "Area," "Rack," "Switch," "Router," "Server," and "Terminal," and these are placed in this order. Therefore, when creating a topology map based on the placement rule 202A, the topology map creation unit 12 places, for example, "Location" upstream of "Building," "Area" upstream of "Rack," and "Rack" upstream of "Switch." Note that placing upstream in the network may mean, for example, placing it on the upper side as seen by the operator on the display screen viewed by the operator. That is, the upper side on the display surface may correspond to the upstream side, and the lower side may correspond to the downstream side. In this case, components with the same placement order may be arranged side by side on the display surface.

[0032] In the example shown in arrangement rule 202B, the relationships "Location_on", "Hosted_on", "Include", "Join_in", and "Conn_to" are defined, and the arrangement order of these is in this order. "Location_on", "Hosted_on", and "Include" are displayed in boxes, and "Join_in" and "Conn_to" are displayed in arrows.

[0033] The component information 201 and the arrangement rule 202 may be predetermined or may be arbitrarily determined by the operator. If the operator determines the component information 201 and the arrangement rule 202, the topology map created by the topology map creation unit 12 can be made easy for the operator to understand.

[0034] The display unit 13 displays the topology map created by the topology map creating unit 12 .

[0035] (Topology Map Examples) Next, examples of topology maps created by the topology map creating unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0036] First, examples of the component information 201 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Figs. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing examples of the component information 201. The component information 201A shown in Fig. 5 shows an example in which Rack_1, Switch_1, Switch_2, Router_1, and Router_2 are included as components included in a network. In the component information 201A, Rack_1 is in a Hosted_on relationship with each of Switch_1, Switch_2, Router_1, and Router_2. Furthermore, Switch_1 and Router_1 are in a Conn_to relationship.

[0037] 6 shows an example in which Rack_1, Rack_2, Switch_1, Switch_2, Router_1, and Router_2 are included as components in a network. In the component information 201B, Rack_1 is in a Hosted_on relationship with Switch_1 and Router_1. Rack_2 is in a Hosted_on relationship with Switch_2 and Router_2. Switch_1 and Router_1 are in a Conn_to relationship, and Switch_2 and Router_2 are in a Conn_to relationship.

[0038] 7 shows an example in which the components included in the network are Building_1, Area_1, Router_1, Switch_1, and Terminal_1. In the component information 201C, Building_1 and Area_1 are in a Located_on relationship. Area_1 and Router_1 are in a Hosted_on relationship. Router_1 and Switch_1 are in a Conn_to relationship. Switch_1 and Terminal_1 are in a Conn_to relationship.

[0039] For comparison, an example of a conventional topology map is shown in 801 in FIG. 8. 801 in FIG. 8 is an example of a conventional topology map corresponding to the component information 201A shown in FIG. 5. As in the topology map shown in FIG. 8, in the case of conventional technology, the components are randomly arranged, and the relationships between them are shown as connecting the randomly arranged components. Therefore, it is difficult for an operator to understand the network configuration at a glance of the created topology map. Therefore, the operator needs to modify the topology map, such as by changing the arrangement of the components, to make it easier for the operator to understand.

[0040] In contrast, in the information display device 10A according to the present disclosure, the topology map shown in FIG. 9 is created as a topology map corresponding to the component information 201A. More specifically, a Router with a higher placement priority according to the placement rule 202 is placed upstream of a Switch. That is, if the upper side of the display unit 13 as seen by the operator is considered upstream, Router_1 and Router_2 are placed above Switch_1 and Switch_2. Furthermore, Router_1 and Router_2, which have the same placement priority, are placed side by side. Similarly, Switch_1 and Switch_2 are placed side by side. Router_1 and Switch_1, which are in a Conn_to relationship, are connected by an arrow. This allows the operator to recognize the components of the network and the relationships between the components at a glance of the topology map.

[0041] Similarly, for the component information 201B shown in Fig. 6, the topology map shown in Fig. 10 is created. That is, Rack_1 and Rack_2, which have a high placement priority according to the placement rule 202, are placed upstream of Router_1 and Router_2 and Switch_1 and Switch_2. Also, Router_1 and Router_2 are placed upstream of Switch_1 and Switch_2. Router_1 and Switch_1, which have a Hosted_on relationship with Rack_1, are placed within the frame of Rack_1, and Router_2 and Switch_2, which have a Hosted_on relationship with Rack_2, are placed within the frame of Rack_2. Furthermore, Router_1 and Switch_1, which are in a Conn_to relationship, are connected by an arrow, and Router_2 and Switch_2, which are also in a Conn_to relationship, are connected by an arrow. Furthermore, Rack_1 and Rack_2, Router_1 and Router_2, and Switch_1 and Switch_2, which have the same placement order, are arranged side by side.

[0042] This allows the operator to recognize at a glance of the topology map that Router_1 and Switch_1 are installed in Rack_1 and are physically connected to each other, and that Router_2 and Switch_2 are installed in Rack_2 and are physically connected to each other.

[0043] Similarly, for the component information 201C shown in Fig. 7, the topology map shown in Fig. 11 is created. That is, Building_1, which has the highest placement priority according to the placement rule 202, is placed furthest upstream, followed by Area_1, Router_1, Switch_1, and Terminal_1 in descending order of placement priority. Area_1, which has a Located_on relationship with Building_1, is placed within the frame of Building_1, and Router_1, which has a Hosted_on relationship with Area_1, is placed within the frame of Area_1. Furthermore, Router_1 and Switch_1, which have a Conn_to relationship, are connected by an arrow, and Switch_1 and Terminal_1, which also have a Conn_to relationship, are also connected by an arrow.

[0044] This allows the operator to recognize at a glance of the topology map that Building_1 includes Area_1, that Area_1 has Router_1, Switch_1, and Terminal_1 installed in it, and that Router_1 and Switch_1, and Switch_1 and Terminal_1 are physically connected.

[0045] (Effects of Information Display Device) As described above, information display device 10A employs a configuration that creates a topology map that shows the relationships between the components, based on the correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components, and arrangement rules 202. Therefore, information display device 10A makes arrangement rules 202 that are easy for an operator to understand at a glance, so that the operator can easily understand the components of the network and the relationships between the components just by glancing at the topology map.

[0046] Furthermore, in the information display device 10A, components with a higher placement priority are placed upstream of components with a lower placement priority, which has the effect of allowing the operator to easily recognize the priority ranking of the components.

[0047] Furthermore, the information display device 10A is configured such that components located upstream in the network have a higher placement priority, which allows the operator to easily recognize the upstream and downstream relationships between components.

[0048] Furthermore, the information display device 10A employs a configuration in which the relationships between the elements are indicated by frames or arrows depending on the relationships, thereby enabling the operator to easily visually recognize the relationships between the elements.

[0049] Furthermore, in the information display device 10A, when there are multiple sets of components with the same arrangement order and inter-component relationship, the sets of components are arranged side by side. Therefore, the information display device 10A has the effect of allowing the operator to easily recognize that the arrangement order and inter-component relationship are the same for sets of components with the same arrangement order and inter-component relationship.

[0050] [Processing Flow in Information Display Device 10A] Next, the processing flow in information display device 10A will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of an information display method, which is processing in information display device 10A.

[0051] In the information display device 10A, first, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the component information 201 from the configuration information database 21 (S201). As described above, the component information 201 includes a component model indicating the arrangement order of the components and a relationship model indicating the relationships between the components.

[0052] Next, the topology map creation unit 12 creates a topology map using the component information 201 acquired by the acquisition unit 11, based on the arrangement rules 202 stored in the storage unit 22 (S202). Finally, the display unit 13 displays the topology map created by the topology map creation unit 12 (S203).

[0053] [Software Implementation Example] Some or all of the functions of the information display devices 10, 10A (hereinafter also referred to as "each of the above devices") may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or by software.

[0054] In the latter case, each of the above devices is realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of computer C that functions as each of the above devices.

[0055] The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for causing the computer C to function as each of the above-mentioned devices. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices.

[0056] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0057] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may also include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may also include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0058] The program P can also be recorded on a non-transitory, tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. The program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0059] Furthermore, the functions of each of the devices may be realized by a single processor provided in a single computer, by multiple processors provided in a single computer working in cooperation, or by multiple processors provided in each of multiple computers working in cooperation. Furthermore, the programs for causing each of the devices to realize the functions may be stored in a single memory provided in a single computer, or may be distributed and stored in multiple memories provided in a single computer, or may be distributed and stored in multiple memories provided in each of multiple computers.

[0060] [Appendix 1] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0061] (Supplementary Note 1) The network management system includes an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating the components that make up a network and the relationships between the components, a topology map creation unit that creates a topology map indicating the relationships between the components based on a correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and a placement rule, and a display unit that displays the topology map.

[0062] (Supplementary Note 2) The information display device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the placement rule sets priorities for the components, and the topology map creation unit places the components with higher priorities upstream of the components with lower priorities.

[0063] (Supplementary Note 3) The information display device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the priority is higher for a component that is located upstream in the network.

[0064] (Supplementary Note 4) The information display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein the arrangement rule indicates the relationship between the components by a frame or an arrow according to the relationship.

[0065] (Supplementary Note 5) An information display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein when there are multiple sets of components having the same priority and the same relationship between the components, the topology map creation unit arranges the sets of components side by side.

[0066] (Appendix 6) An information display device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the components include at least one of (1) an element indicating a base, (2) an element indicating a building, (3) an element indicating an area, (4) an element indicating a rack, (5) an element indicating a server, (6) an element indicating a network device, and (7) an element indicating a terminal connected to the network device.

[0067] (Supplementary Note 7) The information display device described in Supplementary Note 6, wherein the relationships between the components include at least one of: (1) a relationship in which the area is located in the building, or the building is located at the base; (2) a relationship in which the network device is installed in the building or the area; (3) a relationship in which one of the components includes another of the components; (4) a relationship in which the network device is connected to a logical network; and (5) a relationship in which the network devices are physically connected to each other.

[0068] (Supplementary Note 8) An information display method including: an acquisition step of acquiring component information indicating the components that make up a network and the relationships between the components; a topology map creation step of creating a topology map indicating the relationships between the components based on a correspondence between the components and the relationships between the components and a placement rule; and a display step of displaying the topology map.

[0069] (Supplementary Note 9) The information display method according to Supplementary Note 8, wherein the placement rule sets priorities for the components, and the topology map creation unit places the components with higher priorities upstream of the components with lower priorities.

[0070] (Supplementary Note 10) The information display method according to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the priority is higher for a component that is located upstream in the network.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 11) The information display method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 8 to 10, wherein the arrangement rule indicates the relationship between the components by a frame or an arrow according to the relationship.

[0072] (Supplementary Note 12) The information display method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 8 to 11, wherein when there are multiple sets of components with the same priority and the same relationship between the components, the topology map creation unit arranges the sets of components side by side.

[0073] (Supplementary Note 13) The information display method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 8 to 12, wherein the components include at least one of (1) an element indicating a base, (2) an element indicating a building, (3) an element indicating an area, (4) an element indicating a rack, (5) an element indicating a server, (6) an element indicating a network device, and (7) an element indicating a terminal connected to the network device.

[0074] (Supplementary Note 14) The information display method described in Supplementary Note 13, wherein the relationships between the components include at least one of (1) a relationship in which the area is located in the building, or the building is located at the base, (2) a relationship in which the network device is installed in the building or the area, (3) a relationship in which one of the components includes another of the components, (4) a relationship in which the network device is connected to a logical network, and (5) a relationship in which the network devices are physically connected to each other.

[0075] (Supplementary Note 15) A control program for causing a computer to function as the information display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, the control program causing the entire computer to function as each of the above-mentioned parts.

[0076] [Appendix 2] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0077] (Supplementary Note 1) An information display device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor executing an acquisition process for acquiring component information indicating components constituting a network and relationships between the components, a topology map creation process for creating a topology map indicating relationships between the components based on correspondence between the components and relationships between the components and placement rules, and a display process for displaying the topology map.

[0078] The information display device may further include a memory, and the memory may store a program for causing the at least one processor to execute each of the processes.

[0079] (Supplementary Note 2) In the information display device described in Supplementary Note 1, in the at least one processor, the placement rule sets priorities for the components, and in the topology map creation process, the components with higher priorities are placed upstream of the components with lower priorities.

[0080] (Supplementary Note 3) The information display device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein in the at least one processor, the priority is higher for a component that is arranged upstream in the network.

[0081] (Supplementary Note 4) The information display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein in the at least one processor, the arrangement rule indicates relationships between the components by using frames or arrows depending on the relationships.

[0082] (Appendix 5) An information display device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein, in the at least one processor, if there are multiple sets of components having the same priority and the same relationship between the components, the sets of components are arranged side by side in the topology map creation process.

[0083] (Appendix 6) An information display device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein in the at least one processor, the components include at least one of (1) an element indicating a base, (2) an element indicating a building, (3) an element indicating an area, (4) an element indicating a rack, (5) an element indicating a server, (6) an element indicating a network device, and (7) an element indicating a terminal connected to the network device.

[0084] (Supplementary Note 7) In the information display device described in Supplementary Note 6, in the at least one processor, the relationships between the components include at least one of: (1) a relationship in which the area is located in the building, or the building is located at the base; (2) a relationship in which the network device is installed in the building or the area; (3) a relationship in which one of the components includes another of the components; (4) a relationship in which the network device is connected to a logical network; and (5) a relationship in which the network devices are physically connected to each other.

[0085] 10, 10A Information display device 11 Acquisition unit 12 Topology map creation unit 13 Display unit 21 Configuration information database 22 Storage unit 201 Component information 202 Placement rules

Claims

1. An information display device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires component information indicating the components that make up a network and the relationships between said components; a topology map creation unit that creates a topology map indicating the relationships between said components based on a correspondence between said components and the relationships between said components and a placement rule; and a display unit that displays said topology map.

2. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement rule sets priorities for the components, and the topology map creation unit arranges the components with higher priorities upstream of the components with lower priorities.

3. The information display device according to claim 2, wherein the priority is higher for components located upstream in the network.

4. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement rule indicates the relationship between the components by using a frame or an arrow depending on the relationship.

5. The information display device according to claim 2, wherein when there are multiple sets of components with the same priority and the same relationship between the components, the topology map creation unit arranges the sets of components side by side.

6. The information display device of claim 1, wherein the components include at least one of: (1) an element indicating a base; (2) an element indicating a building; (3) an element indicating an area; (4) an element indicating a rack; (5) an element indicating a server; (6) an element indicating a network device; and (7) an element indicating a terminal connected to the network device.

7. The information display device of claim 6, wherein the relationships between the components include at least one of the following: (1) a relationship in which the area is located in the building, or the building is located at the base; (2) a relationship in which the network device is installed in the building or the area; (3) a relationship in which one of the components includes another of the components; (4) a relationship in which the network device is connected to a logical network; and (5) a relationship in which the network devices are physically connected to each other.

8. An information display method including: an acquisition step of acquiring component information indicating the components that make up a network and the relationships between said components; a topology map creation step of creating a topology map indicating the relationships between said components based on correspondence between said components and the relationships between said components and placement rules; and a display step of displaying said topology map.

9. A control program for causing a computer to function as the information display device according to claim 1, the control program causing the computer to function as the topology map creation unit.

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