Generating Displays of Networking Addresses

Abstract

Technologies for generating displays of user-defined blocks of networking addresses on a map of an associated address space are provided. Each block of networking addresses is described in a user-defined table with a start address and a map size. The display for each block of network addresses may be rendered on the map at a location based on the relative position of the start address within the associated address space and of a size based on the mask size in relation to the associated address space.

1 . A computer-implemented method of illustrating a networking address structure, comprising:
 accessing definitional information representing a plurality of blocks of networking addresses, the definitional information defining a hierarchical relationship between at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network associated with one or more of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses;   rendering a first display of the at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network, wherein the display is a tree structure illustrating the hierarchical relationship between the parent and subordinate networks;   receiving a user selection of one of the parent or subordinate networks from the first display; and   upon receiving the user selection of a network, rendering a second display for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses associated with the selected network in a map depicting an address space associated with the selected network.   
   
   
       2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the definitional information further comprises a name assigned to each of the parent and subordinate networks, and wherein the first display comprises the name assigned to each of the parent and subordinate networks displayed. 
   
   
       3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the definitional information further comprises a type of networking addresses contained in the one or more of the plurality of blocks associated with each of the parent and subordinate networks, and wherein the first display further comprises an indicator of the type of networking addresses contained in the one or more of the plurality of blocks associated with each of the parent and subordinate networks displayed. 
   
   
       4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , wherein the definitional information further comprises an indicator for the parent network of whether subordinate networks related to the parent network aggregate with the parent network, and wherein the first display further comprises the indicator for the parent network displayed of whether subordinate networks related to the parent network aggregate with the parent network. 
   
   
       5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the first display further comprises user interface controls for expanding and collapsing a portion of the tree structure illustrating the hierarchical relationship between the parent and subordinate networks. 
   
   
       6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the definitional information further comprises a start address and a mask size for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses. 
   
   
       7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 6 , wherein the second display comprises a shape rendered in the map at a location determined by a relative position of the start address of the block within the address space and of a size determined by the mask size of the block in relation to the address space. 
   
   
       8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , wherein the map comprises a grid space comprising a plurality of rectangles and wherein each shape is rendered in one or more of the plurality of rectangles of the grid space. 
   
   
       9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , wherein the map comprises a pie chart comprising at least one pie wedge representing one or more of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses. 
   
   
       10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the second display can be configured to further show each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses associated with subordinate networks related to the selected network. 
   
   
       11 . A computer storage medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
 access definitional information representing a plurality of blocks of networking addresses, the definitional information comprising a start address and a mask size for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses, and a hierarchical relationship between at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network associated with one or more of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses;   render a first display of the at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network, wherein the display is a tree structure illustrating the hierarchical relationship between the parent and subordinate networks;   receive a user selection of one of the parent or subordinate networks from the first display; and   upon receiving the user selection of a network, render a second display for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses associated with the selected network in a map depicting an address space associated with the selected network.   
   
   
       12 . The computer storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the definitional information further comprises a name assigned to each of the parent and subordinate networks, and wherein the first display comprises the name assigned to each of the parent and subordinate networks displayed. 
   
   
       13 . The computer storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the definitional information further comprises a type of networking addresses contained in the one or more of the plurality of blocks associated with each of the parent and subordinate networks, and wherein the first display further comprises an indicator of the type of networking addresses contained in the one or more of the plurality of blocks associated with each of the parent and subordinate networks displayed. 
   
   
       14 . The computer storage medium of  claim 12 , wherein the definitional information further comprises an indicator for the parent network of whether subordinate networks related to the parent network aggregate with the parent network, and wherein the first display further comprises the indicator for the parent network of whether subordinate networks related to the parent network aggregate with the parent network. 
   
   
       15 . The computer storage medium of  claim 11 , containing further computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to expand and collapse a portion of the tree structure illustrating the hierarchical relationship between the parent and subordinate networks upon selection of a user interface control by a user. 
   
   
       16 . The computer storage medium of  claim 11 , containing further computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to render a shape within the map at a location determined by a relative position of the start address of the block within the address space and of a size determined by the mask size of the block in relation to the address space. 
   
   
       17 . The computer storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the map comprises a grid space comprising a plurality of rectangles and wherein each shape is rendered in one or more of the plurality of rectangles of the grid space. 
   
   
       18 . The computer storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the map comprises a pie chart comprising at least one pie wedge representing one or more of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses. 
   
   
       19 . The computer storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the second display can be configured to further show each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses associated with subordinate networks related to the selected network. 
   
   
       20 . A computer system for displaying a network address structure, comprising:
 a display device;   a storage medium containing definitional information representing a plurality of blocks of networking addresses, the definitional information comprising a start address and a mask size for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses, and a hierarchical relationship between at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network associated with one or more of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses; and   a computer processor operatively connected to the storage medium and the display device;   a display module operative to execute on the computer processor, causing the computer processor to:
 access the definitional information on the storage medium, 
 render to the display device a first display of the at least one parent network and at least one subordinate network, wherein the display is a tree structure illustrating the hierarchical relationship between the parent and subordinate networks, 
 receive a user selection of one of the parent or subordinate networks from the first display, and 
 upon receiving the user selection of a network, render a second display on the display device for each of the plurality of blocks of networking addresses associated with the selected network in a map depicting an address space associated with the selected network.