Title: Modeling a computing architecture
Abstract: A method for modeling a computing architecture is provided. Computing layers of the computing architecture are identified, wherein each computing layer represents a functional layer of the computing architecture. Computing systems of the computing system are identified. Computing layers implemented by the computing system are identified. Stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing layers. Second bars orthogonal to the stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing systems, wherein each second bar extends through a portion of the stacked bars an amount corresponding to the computing layers implemented by the computing system represented by the second bar.
Patent Number: 7,024,635 Issued on 04/04/2006 to Menon, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Menon; Jai (Alpharetta, GA);
Hodges; Donna (Cumming, GA)
|
| Assignee:
|
BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp. (Wilmington, DE)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
990011 |
| Filed:
|
November 21, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
715/771; 715/420; 715/440; 715/969; 715/734; 703/21; 703/22; 709/224; 717/104 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
G06F 3/00 (20060101); G06F 9/00 (20060101); G06F 17/00 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
345/420,440-4402,734-736,853-854,969
370/254
703/13-22
709/223-224
717/104
715/771
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5249296 | Sep., 1993 | Tanaka.
| |
| 5426422 | Jun., 1995 | Vanden Heuvel et al.
| |
| 6208345 | Mar., 2001 | Sheard et al.
| |
| 6611495 | Aug., 2003 | Meyer et al.
| |
| 2001/0012990 | Aug., 2001 | Zimmerman et al.
| |
| 2001/0054035 | Dec., 2001 | Lee.
| |
Other References
Synapse, Synapse: Banalyzer—Online Network Protocol Database, Dec. 3, 1998,
p. 1.
www.rational.com/products/softdev.jsp#rose. "Model Driven Development With UML
Rational Rose", Copyright 2001, Rational Software Corporation.
www.embarcadero.com "Embarcadero Change Manager: Respond Quickly to Change Without
Downtime or Lose Data," Jan. 2002, Embarcadero Technologies.
www.embarcadero.com "ER/Studio: Enterprise Data Modeling," Jan. 2002, Embarcadero Technologies.
www3.ca.com/Solutions/Solution.asp?id=1629 "Paradigm Plus: Effective analysis
and Design With Enterprise Component Modeling," Copyright 2002.
|
Primary Examiner: Kincaid; Kristine
Assistant Examiner: Pitaro; Ryan F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Withers & Keys, LLC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for modeling a computing architecture, the method executed on a computer,
the method comprising:
identifying a plurality of computing layers, each computing layer representing
a functional layer of the computing architecture;
identifying a plurality of computing systems;
identifying, for each of the plurality of computing systems, at least one of
the plurality of computing layers that is implemented by the computing system;
displaying a first plurality of bars in stacked relationship to each other, each
of the first plurality of bars representing a computing layer of the plurality
of computing layers;
displaying a second plurality of bars approximately orthogonal to the first plurality
of bars and over at least a portion of the first plurality of bars, each of the
second plurality of bars representing a computing system, wherein each of the second
plurality of bars extends through a portion of the first plurality of bars an amount
corresponding to the identified at least one of the computing layers that is implemented
by the computing system represented by the bar; and
displaying a selected one of the first plurality of bars larger than the other
bars for displaying details within the selected bar.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising if the computing architecture
comprises a human interface portal, displaying a first rectangle stacked adjacent
to the first plurality of bars, the first rectangle representing a human interface portal.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
if the computing architecture comprises a business to business integration, displaying
a second rectangle stacked adjacent to the first plurality of bars, the second
rectangle representing a business to business integration.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying an icon to
indicate a preselected area of the computing architecture.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
identifying a data store of the computing architecture; and
displaying an icon to represent the identified data store.
6. The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising:
identifying a computing system corresponding to the data store; and
displaying the data store proximate a bar corresponding to the data store.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:
identifying a plurality of data stores;
identifying interconnections between the plurality of data stores;
displaying each of the plurality of data stores as an icon; and
displaying line interconnecting the icons, the lines representing the identified
interconnections between the plurality of data stores.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying computing
systems having a predefined computing function and displaying an icon to represent
the predefined computing function.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein displaying a first plurality of
bars comprises displaying, from top to bottom, a horizontal bar for each of a presentation
layer, a business logic layer, a data layer, and an infrastructure layer.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying a conduit
within one of the first plurality of bars, the conduit representing communication
links between computing systems.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a selection of a computing system of the computing architecture;
displaying a first plurality of bars in stacked relationship to each other, each
of the first plurality of bars representing a computing layer comprised in the
selected computing system; and
displaying a second plurality of bars approximately orthogonal to the first plurality
of bars and over at least a portion of the first plurality of bars, each of the
second plurality of bars representing a sub-system of the selected computing system,
wherein each of the second plurality of bars extends through a portion of the first
plurality of bars an amount corresponding to the identified at least one of the
computing layers that is implemented by the sub-system of the selected computing
system represented by the bar.
12. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for modeling
a computing architecture, the instructions, when executed on a processor, causing
the processor to perform the following:
identifying a plurality of computing layers, each computing layer representing
a functional layer of the computing architecture;
identifying a plurality of computing systems;
identifying, for each of the plurality of computing systems, at least one of
the plurality of computing layers that is implemented by the computing system;
displaying a first plurality of bars in stacked relationship to each other, each
of the first plurality of bars representing a computing layer of the plurality
of computing layers;
displaying a second plurality of bars approximately orthogonal to the first plurality
of bars and over at least a portion of the first plurality of bars, each of the
second plurality of bars representing a computing system, wherein each of the second
plurality of bars extends through a portion of the first plurality of bars an amount
corresponding to the identified at least one of the computing layers that is implemented
by the computing system represented by the bar;
identifying a data store of the computing architecture; and
displaying an icon to represent the identified data store.
13. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform:
if the computing architecture comprises a human interface portal, displaying
a first rectangle stacked adjacent to the first plurality of bars, the first rectangle
representing a human interface portal.
14. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform:
if the computing architecture comprises a business to business integration, displaying
a second rectangle stacked adjacent to the first plurality of bars, the second
rectangle representing a business to business integration.
15. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform displaying an icon to indicate a preselected
area of the computing architecture.
16. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12 wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform:
identifying a computing system corresponding to the data store; and
displaying the data store proximate a bar corresponding to the data store.
17. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12 wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform:
identifying a plurality of data stores;
identifying interconnections between the plurality of data stores;
displaying each of the plurality of data stores as an icon; and
displaying line interconnecting the icons, the lines representing the identified
interconnections between the plurality of data stores.
18. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform identifying computing systems having a predefined
computing function and displaying an icon to represent the predefined computing function.
19. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 12, wherein displaying a
first plurality of bars comprises displaying, from top to bottom, a horizontal
bar for each of a presentation layer, a business logic layer, a data layer, and
an infrastructure layer.
20. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for modeling
a computing architecture, the instructions, when executed on a processor, causing
the processor to perform the following:
identifying a plurality of computing layers, each computing layer representing
a functional layer of the computing architecture;
identifying a plurality of computing systems;
identifying, for each of the plurality of computing systems, at least one of
the plurality of computing layers that is implemented by the computing system;
displaying a first plurality of bars in stacked relationship to each other, each
of the first plurality of bars representing a computing layer of the plurality
of computing layers;
displaying a second plurality of bars approximately orthogonal to the first plurality
of bars and over at least a portion of the first plurality of bars, each of the
second plurality of bars representing a computing system, wherein each of the second
plurality of bars extends through a portion of the first plurality of bars an amount
corresponding to the identified at least one of the computing layers that is implemented
by the computing system represented by the bar; and displaying a selected one of
the first plurality of bars larger than the other bars for displaying details within
the selected bar.
21. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 20, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform displaying a conduit within one of the first
plurality of bars, the conduit representing communication links between computing systems.
22. The computer-readable medium as recited in claim 20, wherein the instructions
further cause the processor to perform:
receiving a selection of a computing system of the computing architecture;
displaying a first plurality of bars in stacked relationship to each other, each
of the first plurality of bars representing a computing layer comprised in the
selected computing system; and
displaying a second plurality of bars approximately orthogonal to the first plurality
of bars and over at least a portion of the first plurality of bars, each of the
second plurality of bars representing a sub-system of the selected computing system,
wherein each of the second plurality of bars extends through a portion of the first
plurality of bars an amount corresponding to the identified at least one of the
computing layers that is implemented by the sub-system of the selected computing
system represented by the bar.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to the field of modeling computing architectures.
More particularly, the invention relates to graphically modeling a computing architecture
that comprises multiple computing systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computing systems, which may comprise, for example, an application or a
plurality of applications, have become increasingly complex. Indeed, the sheer
number of computing systems has increased dramatically in recent years. Also, each
computing system itself often becomes more complex as it evolves through revision
releases and the like. Moreover, computing systems typically interconnect to an
increasing number of other computing systems as such systems are integrated into
a larger computing architecture.
Further, more and more computing systems are integrated into computing architectures.
As such, modeling a computing architecture has become more challenging. For example,
an enterprise may have a multitude of computing systems with each computing system
comprising a multitude of applications. The applications and/or systems may include
purchased applications, developed applications, legacy systems, and the like. Each
of these applications and/or systems may have its own database, a shared database,
a website interface, a machine interface, a connection to other computing systems,
a connection to other computing applications, and the like. Due to these many complexities
and the highly integrated nature of computing, modeling complex computing architectures
on an enterprise level is often very difficult.
Nonetheless, the need to communicate such computing architectures at
an enterprise level to both technical and non-technical people, is important to
achieving business success and to building computing architectures that are efficient,
maintainable, and conducive to future growth. Further, the ability to depict the
computing architecture at an appropriate level of detail for a specific target
audience is important. For example, a member of a board of directors may prefer
to be presented with a high-level view of an enterprise computing architecture
to determine where to invest resources, while an application developer may prefer
to be presented with a mid-level view of a computing system to determine how to
integrate new functionality into the computing architecture.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a method for flexibly and dynamically
representing a computing architecture at various levels of detail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the invention, systems and methods are provided
for modeling a computing architecture at various levels of detail.
In a method for modeling a computing architecture in accordance with the invention,
computing layers of the computing architecture are identified, wherein each computing
layer represents a functional layer of the computing architecture. Computing systems
are identified and computing layers implemented by the computing systems are identified.
Stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing layers. A second set of bars
orthogonal to the stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing systems,
wherein each second bar extends through a portion of the stacked bars by an amount
corresponding to the computing layers implemented by the computing system represented
by the second bar.
A first rectangle that represents a human interface portal may be displayed adjacent
to the stacked bars. A second rectangle that represents a business to business
integration may also be displayed adjacent to the stacked bars. Icons representing
a preselected area, a data store, or a computing function may be displayed in an
area of the model as well.
Further details of the computing architecture may also be displayed upon
selection of a computing system. Sub-systems of the selected computing system are
displayed as second bars orthogonal to stacked bars, as above.
The above-listed features, as well as other features, of the invention will be
more fully set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further described in the detailed description that follows,
by reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting illustrative
embodiments of the invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar
parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a generic computer system with which the invention may
be employed;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an illustrative layer model for representing layers of
a computing architecture, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative model of connection of two computing
architectures, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative model of a computing architecture including
illustrative representations of computing systems, in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention; and
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an illustrative method for modeling a computing architecture,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a generic computer system with which the invention may
be employed. As shown in FIG. 1, computing device
120 includes processor
122, system memory
124, and system bus
126 that couples various
system components including system memory
124 to processor
122. System
memory
124 may include read-only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory
(RAM). Computing device
120 may further include hard-drive
128, which
provides storage for computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,
data, and the like. A user (not shown) may enter commands and information into
the computing device
120 through input devices such as a keyboard
140
and/or a mouse
142. A display device
144, such as a monitor, a flat
panel display, or the like is also connected to the computing device
120
for output. Display device
144 includes touch screen
145. Display
device
144 may also include other pointing devices such as a light pen,
a grid of light beams, or the like for inputting information into processor
122.
Communications device
143, which may be a modem, provides for communications
over network
150. Processor
122 can be programmed with instructions
to interact with other processors so as to perform the techniques described below.
The instructions may be received from network
150 or stored in memory
124
and/or hard drive
128. Processor
122 may be loaded with any one of
several computer operating systems such as WINDOWS NT operating system, WINDOWS
2000 operating system, LINUX operating system, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 1, computing device
120 may communicate with other computing
devices, such as, for example, server
164 over network
150. Network
150 may be the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or the
like. Server
164 may communicate e-mails, web pages, and other data. Server
164 may be operated by an ISP, a corporate computer department, or any other
organization or person with a server connected to network
150. Server
164
is accessible by client stations
168 from which users may send and receive
data and browse web pages. Client stations
168 may connect to servers via
a local area network (not shown) or using a remote connection device
172
such as, for example, a modem, as is shown in connection with server
164.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, horizontal bars represent
computing layers and vertical bars represent computing systems. The vertical bars
extend through a portion of the horizontal bars and thereby designate the computing
layers that the corresponding computing system implements. In this manner, a computing
architecture may be modeled that may be more readily understood by both technical
and non-technical people. The number of computing layers is limited to a manageable
number and each computing system is typically represented by a single vertical
bar. Beyond layers and systems, more details of the computing architecture may
be modeled onto the computing architecture model, for example, with marks or icons
at various positions in the model.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of an illustrative layer model for representing layers of
a computing architecture. As shown in FIG. 2, computing architecture layer model
200 comprises a plurality of horizontal bars, wherein each horizontal bar
represents a layer of a computing architecture. In the illustrative model of FIG.
2, computing architectural layer model
200 comprises presentation layer
bar
210, business logic layer bar
220, data layer bar
230,
and infrastructure layer bar
240.
Presentation layer bar
210 represents the user interface functionality
of a computing system. For example, presentation layer bar
210 may represent
a portion of a computing system that displays information on a user interface (e.g.,
display device
144 of FIG. 1). Business logic layer bar
220 represents
portions of the computing system directed to business logic functionality. For
example, business logic layer
220 may represent a search engine for RealPages
SM.com,
an online telephone directory application. Data layer bar
230 represents
data of the enterprise. For example, data layer bar
230 may represent a
database for RealPages
SM.com. Infrastructure layer bar
240 represents
the infrastructure for implementing computing systems such as security systems,
content management systems, and the like.
Model
200 also includes a first rectangle
250 representing a
portal. Portal rectangle
250 may represent an Internet website interface
that may be accessed via an Internet access device, such as for example, a browser,
a cellular telephone, a two-way Internet wireless communication device, a television
compatible browser, and the like.
Model
200 further includes a second rectangle
260 representing
a business to business integration. Such a business to business integration rectangle
260 may represent a business to business exchange, a business to business
marketplace, and the like.
Model
200 is more simplistic than the OSI network model which has seven
layers including the following: an application, presentation, session, transport,
network, data link, and physical layer. As such, computing architecture model
200
provides a model that can be more easily and quickly grasped. Both technical and
non-technical people may quickly understand the concepts of the four layer model.
For example, the concept that the presentation layer is for presentation to a user
and that the business logic layer performs logic on the data of the data layer
is relatively straightforward. This simplified model may be easier to comprehend
than the relatively technical concepts of session and transport layers of the OSI
model that may be very unfamiliar to non-technical people. While a four layer model
is illustrated, the model may include various numbers of layers and may employ
other groupings to model a computing architecture. Thus, an enterprise may select
a number of layers and groupings consistent with its internal model.
Connectivity between enterprises can also be modeled. A business to
business interchange computing architecture model is illustrated in FIG. 3, using
the four layer model of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a first computing architecture
model
200′ of a first enterprise is in communication with a second
computing architecture model
200" of a second enterprise. The first and
second computing architectures models
200′ and
200" are shown
connected by control point icon
300.
The computing architecture may be depicted at various levels of detail. Thus,
on a computing device, such as computing device
120 of FIG. 1, a user (not
shown) may select, via mouse
142, a computing architecture model, a mark,
or icon displayed on display device
144. In response to such selection,
further details of the selected computing architecture, mark, or icon are displayed
on the display device. For example, selection of control point icon
300
of FIG. 3 causes further details (not shown) of the control point represented by
icon
300 to be displayed. Similarly, selection of computing architecture
layer model
200′ causes further details of the computing architecture
represented by model
200′ to be displayed.
An example of such details is shown in computing architecture model
400
of FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative model of a computing architecture
including computing systems. As shown in FIG. 4, computing architecture model
400
comprises a plurality of horizontal bars
210,
220,
230,
240
in stacked relationship to each other. The horizontal bars represent presentation
layer
210, business logic layer
220, data layer
230, and infrastructure
layer
240, respectively. Model
400 also comprises a portal rectangle
250 and a business to business integration rectangle
260 adjacent
to presentation layer bar
210.
Model
400 also comprises a plurality of vertical bars extending through
the horizontal bars. Each vertical bar represents a computing system and extends
through the horizontal bars an amount corresponding to the computing layers implemented
by the computing system represented by the vertical bar. Computing system bar
410a
extends from data layer bar
230, through business logic layer bar
220,
through presentation layer bar
210, and to portal rectangle
250.
Bar
410a extends through data layer bar
230, through business
logic layer bar
220, through presentation layer bar
210, indicating
that the computing system represented by bar
410a implements logic
corresponding to each of these computing layers. Computing system bar
410a
contacts portal rectangle
250, indicating that the computing system
represented by bar
410a is accessible via a portal. The computing
system represented by bar
410a may be for example, RealPages
SM.com,
an online telephone directory application accessible via the Internet. Computing
system bar
410a may or may not be displayed extending into infrastructure
layer bar
240. Computing system bar
410a also includes an
icon
450a representing that the computing system represented by bar
410a includes a data store.
Model
400 further comprises computing system bars
410b and
410c. Bars
410b and
410c may represent
other computing systems, such as, for example, an electronic bill payment and bill
presentation computing system, a new connection order computing system, a change
order computing system, a customer registration computing system, an integrated
product catalog computing system, and the like.
Model
400 also comprises a computing system bar
410d that
extends from data layer bar
230, through business logic layer bar
220,
to presentation layer bar
210, indicating the computing system represented
by bar
410d implements logic corresponding to each of these layers.
Computing system bar
410d does not contact portal rectangle
250,
thereby, indicating that the computing system represented by bar
410d
is not accessible via a portal. The computing system represented by bar
410d
may be for example, a legacy system, a billing system, and the like. Computing
system bar
410d may or may not be displayed extending into infrastructure
layer bar
240. Computing system
410d also includes a mark
or icon
450d indicating that the computing system represented by
bar
410d includes a data store.
Marks or icons may be used to designate special items of note associated with
a particular computing system or with a particular portion of the computing architecture.
Thus, computing system bar
410e is similar to computing system bar
410d but further comprises an icon
430b indicating
a preselected area of the computing architecture. Icon
430b may be
a star or other symbol and may be used to identify a portion of the computing architecture
that is deserving of special designation. For example, icon
430b may
indicate a "problem" area in the computing architecture, an area having a technical
issue, an area of a developing industry trend, or the like. Icon
430a
may indicate that there are technical issues within business to business integration,
such as, for example, immature industry standards, rudimentary tools, and the like.
Icon
430c is disposed proximate to data store
450f and
may indicate that there are technical issues with integrating data into data store
450f.
Other such marks or icons may be incorporated into model
400. Computing
system bar
410c comprises icon
440 indicating a predefined
computing function of the computing architecture. Icon
440 may be any symbol,
but typically is a symbol that is indicative of the computing function. As shown,
icon
440 is a shopping cart icon and indicates a shopping cart computing
function. Icon
440 may be used, for example, to illustrate that many computing
systems include a particular computing function and to illustrate consistency or
inconsistency between the computing functions of various computing systems.
Computing architecture model
400 also comprises icons
450f,
450g, and
450h representing data stores. As shown,
each icon
450f,
450g,
450h is a data
store icon and represents a data store that is located in data layer bar
230.
The data layer represented by data layer bar
230 is further divided into
sub-layers by notations
461,
462, and
463. Notation
461
defines a sub-layer of data layer bar
230 that represents data stores local
to computing systems
410. Notation
462 defines a sub-layer of data
layer bar
230 that represents data stores containing operational data and
notation
463 defines a sub-layer of data layer bar
230 that represents
data stores containing analytical data. As can be seen in FIG. 4, data stores
450a
through
450e are located in the sub-layer defined by mark
461.
Data store
450f is located in the sub-layer defined by mark
462
and data stores
450g and
450h are located in the sub-layer
defined by notation
463. In this manner, a particular sub-layer of a computing
architecture may be indicated, such that both technical and non-technical people
may be able to comprehend the area and its relation to the entire computing architecture.
In addition, connectivity between computing systems and devices or functions represented
by icons may be modeled, as described in more detail below.
Connection lines indicate interconnectivity between data stores. For example,
the data stores represented by icons
450c and
450d are
capable of uploading data to the data store represented by icon
450f.
This interconnectivity between the data stores is represented by connection lines
480,
481, respectively. Arrow heads may be used to model a direction
of data flow.
To indicate interconnectivity between computing systems
410a through
410e, horizontal conduit
420 is located in business logic
layer bar
220 and extends through each of computing systems
410a
through
410f and represents communication between such computing
systems. Communications horizontal conduit
420 may represent a message broker
data bus, a local area network, a wide area network, or the like. In this manner,
both technical and non-technical people may be able to quickly comprehend the interconnections
of computing systems and other devices of the computing architecture.
Computing architecture model
400 also comprises a mark
470
indicating a preselected region of the computing architecture. Mark
470
is a rectangle that encompasses a portion of business logic layer bar
220
and a portion of data layer bar
230. Mark
470 may indicate a middle
tier of computing architecture model
400 that comprises a portion of business
logic bar
220 and a portion of data logic bar
230. With such a region
mark, regions of the computing architecture may be indicated that encompass all
or portions of layer bars
210 through
240 and all or a portion of
the computing systems. For example, middle tier region mark
470 indicates
a region of computing architecture that may include system interconnectivity and
database synchronization issues.
Computing architecture model
400 may be manipulated in other ways
to present details in a particular section. For example, some horizontal bars may
be scaled larger than other bars to allow more room for detail, for marks, to illustrate
relative importance, complexity, or the like.
Thus, computing architecture model
400 can represent a complex computing
architecture in a single, easy to comprehend model. The model can be comprehended
by both technical and non-technical people alike. Details of the computing architecture
can be displayed as necessary upon request. For example, if implemented on computing
device
120 of FIG. 1, a user may select a computing system of computing
architecture model
400 of FIG. 4. Upon selection of a computing system,
the selected computing system may be displayed as a model similar to computing
architecture model
400. As such, a user can "drill-down" to an appropriate
level of detail, and the information is displayed in a consistent manner. Accordingly,
the user does not have to learn a new model for a computing architecture; rather,
the same basic model is used at multiple levels.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an illustrative method for representing a computing
architecture in a manner consistent with that described above in connection with
FIG. 4. The method may be performed by a computer processor, such as, for example,
processor
122 of FIG. 1. It is, however, contemplated that the method may
be performed other ways.
As shown in FIG. 5, at step
500, processor
122 identifies a number
of computing layers corresponding to the computing architecture. The number of
layers may be predefined and constant for a given enterprise and the number of
layers may be determined based on a lookup from a database or from analysis of
the functionality of computing systems.
At step
510, processor
122 displays on display device
144
a plurality of horizontal bars in stacked relationship to each other, wherein each
horizontal bar represents a computing layer, as determined in step
500.
The layers may further include rectangle boxes, as described above, to represent
portals and/or interchanges.
At step
520, processor
122 identifies a plurality of computing
systems
of the computing architecture. The plurality of computing systems may be identified
via a database containing information about the computing systems of the computing
architecture or an alternative form of mapping. Further, processor
122 may
identify the computing system by analyzing existing computing systems that can
be accessed, for example, via network
150.
At step
530, processor
122 identifies computing layers implemented
by each computing system. The layers implemented by each computing system may be
may be determined based on a lookup from a database or from analysis of the functionality
of each computing system.
At step
540, processor
122 displays the identified computing systems
as a plurality of vertical bars over at least a portion of the horizontal bars.
Each vertical bar represents a computing system and each vertical bar extends through
the horizontal bars an amount corresponding to the computing layers implemented
by the computing system represented by the vertical bar. Further, computing systems
that implement access via a portal are displayed as a vertical bar contacting the
portal rectangle and computing systems that implement a business to business interchange
are displayed as a vertical bar contacting the business to business interchange rectangle.
At optional step
550, processor
122 displays an icon or mark on
an area of display device
144 (and computing architecture) that corresponds
to a device or function represented by the icon. The icons may represent a preselected
area of the computing architecture, a data store of the computing architecture,
a predefined computing function, a communication link between computing systems,
as described above, and the like. Icons may be displayed based on a database, a
mapping, or via analysis of existing
110 computing systems.
At optional step
560, processor
122a receives a selection
of a computing system. For example, a user may select a computing system using
touch screen
145, mouse
142, or keyboard
140.
At optional step
570, sub-systems of the selected computing system are
displayed using horizontal and vertical bars as is described above.
Thus, there has been described a system and method for flexibly and dynamically
representing a computing architecture at various levels of detail. The method displays
an easy to understand model of a computing architecture that is useful for both
technical and non-technical people.
The invention may be embodied in the form of program code (i.e., instructions)
stored on a computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic, electrical, or optical
storage medium, including without limitation a floppy diskette, CD-ROM, CD-RW,
DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, flash memory, hard disk drive, or any other machine-readable
storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a
machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the
invention. The invention may also be embodied in the form of program code that
is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or
cabling, through fiber optics, over a network, including the Internet or an intranet,
or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received
and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes
an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose
processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus
that operates analogously to specific logic circuits.
It is noted that the foregoing description has been provided merely for the purpose
of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the invention. While
the invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, it
is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description
and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention
has been described herein with reference to particular structure, methods, and
embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed
herein; rather, the invention extends to all structures, methods and uses that
are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the
benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications
thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention, as defined by the appended claims.
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