Method and apparatus for displaying a current configuration of test instruments to a user

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

determining a current configuration of instruments which are connected in a user's test system;

retrieving an icon associated with each instrument;

displaying the icons within a graphical user interface (GUI);

graphically connecting the icons within the GUI, in accord with said current configuration of instruments; and

upon selection of an instrument icon displayed within the GUI, coupled with a given menu selection, launching an instrument properties interface, wherein the instrument properties interface comprises a driver listing page.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to user input via a graphical pointer, repositioning selected ones of the icons within the GUI; and

rerouting the graphical connections between the icons, in response to said repositioned icons.

3. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

determining a current configuration of instruments which are connected in a user's test system;

retrieving an icon associated with each instrument;

displaying the icons within a graphical user interface (GUI);

graphically connecting the icons within the GUI, in accord with said current configuration of instruments; and

comparing said current configuration to a past configuration and, upon detecting differences in the configurations, graphically representing said differences within the GUI, said represented differences including indications of instruments that appeared in the past but not the current configuration.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

maintaining a database of said icons;

receiving identifying data for a new instrument; and

associating an icon representing said new instrument in said database.

5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising, automatically executing the method on a periodic basis, thereby updating said icons and connections displayed in said GUI.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein said differences in the current and past configurations are graphically represented by:

a first color to highlight icons associated with instruments that appear in the current but not the past configuration;

a second color to highlight icons associated with instruments that appear in the past but not the current configuration; and

a third color to highlight icons associated with instruments that are believed to appear in the past and current configurations, but which have one or more properties that do not match.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein said differences in the current and past configurations are graphically represented by:

a first box style to identify said icons associated with instruments that appear in the current but not the past configuration;

a second box style to identify said icons associated with instruments that appear in the past but not the current configuration;

a third box style to identify said icons associated with instruments that are believed to appear in the past and current configurations, but which have one or more properties that do not match.

8. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

upon selection of an instrument icon within the GUI, coupled with a given menu selection, launching an instrument properties interface.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the instrument properties interface comprises a command interface.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the instrument properties interface provides information for expansion devices associated with the instrument.

11. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

displaying an icon representing a computer on which the GUI is displayed; and

graphically connecting the computer to said current configuration of instruments.

12. The method of claim 3 , further comprising, providing drawing tools that may be used within said GUI.

13. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

determining a dynamic configuration of a switch to which one or more of said instruments are connected; and

dynamically displaying and connecting said switch within said GUI.

14. The method of claim 3 , wherein said icons are graphical renderings of said instruments.