Java SE (Java Platform, Standard Edition)

Hi, I'm starting to learn swing, and I'm trying to figure what components to use for my particular application. I'm preparing to build a gui that represents the status of hardware in realtime (ie this application regularly polls hardware and receives status data over a socket) I would like this to look like a grid in which a row and column junction represent a particular hardware status.

I've been looking for a 'indicator' type of component, but can't find anything that fits the bill from the standard components.

I've been thinking that one way to implement the gui is to create a grid of JPanel components, and change the background color of individual panels to reflect status. Is there away to group JPanels together?

Any suggestions would be appreciated-

Alan