System and method for generating geographical maps for initiating discovery of a computer network

Abstract

Generating a geographical map usable for initiating discovery of network subnets within a computer network can include receiving a hierarchy of geo-location identifiers corresponding to levels of geographical abstraction and network subnets having associated geo-location identifiers included in the hierarchy. Geo-location identifiers of the network subnets can be mapped to corresponding first levels according to the hierarchy. A graphical user interface can be generated to include a geographical map and user interface elements such that a selection of a geo-location identifier can be received using a user interface element. A set of network subnets associated with the selected geo-location identifier and at least one agent software instance usable for performing discovery against the set of network subnets can be determined to initiate discovery of the set.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A graphical user interface (GUI) for an information technology operations management (ITOM) tool for managing a computer network, the GUI comprising:
 a geographical map of a portion of Earth, the geographical map having a geo-location indicator that indicates a geographic location of at least one discovered component of the computer network.   
     
     
         2 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geographical map comprises a map of a continent, a country, a state, or a city, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one discovered component of the computer network comprises a subnet of the computer network, hardware associated with the computer network, or software associated with the computer network, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geo-location indicator comprises an icon positioned at the geographic location of the at least one discovered component of the computer network. 
     
     
         5 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the icon is selectable by a user of the GUI, and wherein selection of the icon initiates discovery of components of the computer network associated with the geographic location. 
     
     
         6 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the icon is selectable by a user of the GUI, and wherein selection of the icon initiates a test of credentials for the at least one discovered component of the computer network. 
     
     
         7 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the icon is selectable by a user of the GUI, and wherein selection of the icon initiates retrieval of configuration elements (CIs) for the at least one discovered component of the computer network. 
     
     
         8 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geographical map comprises a listing of network subnets associated with components of the computer network affected by a power outage at the geographic location. 
     
     
         9 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geographical map comprises a listing of network subnets associated with components of the computer network involved in an update at the geographic location. 
     
     
         10 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geographical map comprises a listing of network subnets associated with components of the computer network involved in an incident reported by a customer at the geographic location. 
     
     
         11 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the geographical map comprises a plurality of hierarchical geographical maps depicting different levels of geographical abstraction. 
     
     
         12 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of hierarchical geographical maps depicting different levels of geographical abstraction comprise a first level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a country, a second level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a state or province, and a third level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a city or town. 
     
     
         13 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of hierarchical geographical maps comprise a respective geo-location indicator that indicates a geographic location of at least one respective component of the computer network. 
     
     
         14 . The GUI, as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of hierarchical geographical maps depicting different levels of geographical abstraction each comprise one or more visual elements that are selectable by a user to switch from one of the plurality of hierarchical geographical maps to another. 
     
     
         15 . A tangible computer-readable medium comprising:
 instructions stored on the medium that, when executed by a processor, cause an electronic display to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for an information technology operations management (ITOM) tool for managing a computer network, the GUI comprising a geographical map of a portion of Earth, the geographical map having a geo-location indicator that indicates a geographic location of at least one discovered component of the computer network.   
     
     
         16 . The medium, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the geo-location indicator comprises an icon positioned at the geographic location of the at least one discovered component of the computer network. 
     
     
         17 . The medium, as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the icon is selectable by a user of the GUI, and wherein selection of the icon initiates discovery of components of the computer network associated with the geographic location. 
     
     
         18 . A computer comprising:
 a processor;   a display operably coupled to the processor;   a memory operably coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the display to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for an information technology operations management (ITOM) tool for managing a computer network, the GUI comprising a geographical map of a portion of Earth, the geographical map having a geo-location indicator that indicates a geographic location of at least one discovered component of the computer network.   
     
     
         19 . The computer, as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the geographical map comprises a plurality of hierarchical geographical maps depicting different levels of geographical abstraction. 
     
     
         20 . The computer, as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of hierarchical geographical maps depicting different levels of geographical abstraction comprise a first level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a country, a second level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a state or province, and a third level of geographical abstraction corresponding to a city or town.