Intelligent infrastructure management user device

Abstract

An infrastructure management device comprises a processor configured to obtain port status and networking device status for each of one or more physicals networking devices in a system. The device also comprises a display unit coupled to the processor and configured to display one or more virtual networking devices, and a user input element configured to provide user input to the processor. The port status indicates that a cable is inserted into the first port and the processor obtains cable data identifying one or more characteristics of the cable inserted into the first port. The processor is configured to compare the one or more characteristics of the cable inserted into the first port with one or more characteristics defined in the work order. The processor is configured to provide a notification to a user indicating whether the one or more characteristics of the inserted cable comply with the work order.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An infrastructure management system comprising:
 a plurality of networking devices, each networking device having a plurality of ports;   a connectivity manager coupled to each of the plurality of networking devices via a first network, wherein the connectivity manager is configured to communicate with the plurality of networking devices to obtain status of each of the networking devices and port status of each of the plurality of ports;   a database coupled to the connectivity manager and configured to store the port status and networking device status obtained by the connectivity manager;   an infrastructure management device coupled to the connectivity manager via a second network, wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to communicate with the connectivity manager to obtain the port status of the plurality of ports and networking device status;   wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to display one or more virtual networking devices based on the obtained port status and networking device status, each virtual networking device representing one of the plurality of networking devices;   wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to detect user selection of a first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the infrastructure management device; and   wherein based on the selection of the first port, the infrastructure management device is configured to display a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure management device determines when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from the connectivity manager. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the infrastructure management device is further configured to display when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from the connectivity manager. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         6 . An infrastructure management device, the device comprising:
 a processor configured to obtain port status and networking device status for each of one or more physical networking devices in a system;   a display unit coupled to the processor and configured to display one or more virtual networking devices, each virtual networking device representing one of the one or more physical networking devices based on the port status and networking device status;   a user input element configured to provide user input to the processor;   wherein the processor is configured to wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to detect user selection of a first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and   wherein based on the selection of the first port, the infrastructure management device is configured to display on the display unit a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the infrastructure management device determines when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the infrastructure management device is further configured to display on the display unit when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on based on cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         9 . A method for infrastructure management, the method comprising:
 displaying one or more virtual networking devices on a display unit, each virtual networking device representing one or more physical networking devices;   monitoring port status of a first port and a second port to determine when a cable is inserted into the first port or the second port;   detecting at a user input element user selection of the first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and   based on the selection of the first port, displaying a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 determining when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 displaying on the display unit an indication indicating when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         14 . A program product comprising a processor-readable medium on which program instructions are embodied, wherein the program instructions are configured, when executed by at least one programmable processor, to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
 output commands to a display unit to display one or more virtual networking devices, each virtual networking device representing one or more physical networking devices;   monitor port status of a first port and a second port to determine when a cable is inserted into the first port or the second port;   detect at a user input element user selection of the first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and   based on the selection of the first port, display a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.   
     
     
         15 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
 determine when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.   
     
     
         16 . The program product of  claim 15 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable. 
     
     
         17 . The program product of  claim 14 , wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
 display on the display unit an indication indicating when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.   
     
     
         18 . The program product of  claim 17 , wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.