Working with the Graphical Image in the Topology View Window

In the Topology View of Build mode, the topology (map) window shown is the main work area for any live network or network model you load into the system. Multiple links displayed between nodes use line bending to avoid hidden trunks in the topology. The topology incorporates node aggregation collapsible views. You can also view node locations by their geographic coordinates on the world map using latitude and longitude or automatic layouts in the Topology View of Build mode.

The Topology View window displays important link and node properties, and also the devices contained in sites. Links interconnecting the devices are color coded according to utilization. Alternatively, you can view links by other properties such as trunk type, protocols, coloring, status, and area. Nodes are color-coded by symbols, icons, or vendor types.

Path information can be displayed in the Topology View window. The path function displays detailed path information between any two nodes found in the network based on factors such as routing method used, reserved and actual bandwidth allocation, link distance, or oversubscription.

The Topology View is a graphical representation of the baseline network.

When the cursor is positioned over a network element in the Topology View, a description of the network element is displayed above each device.
Double-click an element icon to collapse the devices or network elements and view the entire site or zone as an icon.
Right-click an element to view more options for that element.
Hold the left mouse button to drag the map around.
Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom in and out of the map.

Right-clicking on the map area displays a pop-up menu for more functions. You can move the map by holding down the left mouse button and dragging. You can zoom in and out by using the mouse scroll wheel.

In the Topology View, zones or sites are displayed as circular discs with devices when they are expanded or as small group symbols when they are collapsed. Devices or nodes are displayed within the appropriate zones as squares with the device icons. Links are displayed as gray solid connector lines. LSPs are displayed as color-coded solid connector lines. Services that are configured on nodes are displayed as dotted connector lines.

Note

LSP names that are not unique in the network are not displayed in the Topology View.

There are several ways to select nodes and links in the Topology View.

Press Ctrl-click or Shift-click nodes and links.
Right-click a node and use the Select options.
Right-click a link and use the Select options.
Click the plus sign to zoom in and the minus sign to zoom out of the Topology View.

When moving nodes on the map area, you are changing the graphical coordinates rather than the geographical coordinates. Graphical coordinates are the positions of the nodes in the Topology View window. Geographical coordinates are positions of the nodes according to actual physical locations (for example, latitude and longitude).

You can perform the following tasks with the View Topology page:

The Map Preferences settings are saved to each client.

In the CSD-Topology database, the topology information that gets saved for each network includes the following:

Note

By default, the graphcoordaux file is automatically saved when closing a network to avoid losing auxiliary changes made to the map, such as map legend settings. Clear this check box to disable this feature.

group file—Groupings of network devices are saved in the group file

graphcoord file—Graphical coordinates of network devices are saved in the graphcoord file

graphcoordaux file—Stores the following map settings data:

Legends—Node and link color settings, link utilization color bar settings, and line styles.

Labels—Which node or link labels are turned on and labeling preferences for the bottom bar

Background Image—Background images to use

Country Maps—Country maps to use

Groups—Which groups are collapsed and which groups are expanded

Working with the Graphical Image in the Topology View Window

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