Viewing VLAN Topology

VLAN Topology View

The VLAN topology view (or VLAN View) presents to the user a clear, logical view of each individual VLAN.To display logical topology view of any particular VLAN, simply click on the VLAN Topology tab (next to the Details tab). You may also move the nodes around as desired in the VLAN topology view map.

Figure 1: VLAN Topology View Network topology diagram for VLAN301 in a VLAN management interface with NODE03 as central switch connecting multiple nodes.

Network topology diagram for VLAN301 in a VLAN management interface with NODE03 as central switch connecting multiple nodes.

There is also a right-click menu that you can use to perform basic functions to manipulate the topology and the labels. Place the cursor on a node and do a right click to view node access and topology display options.

Figure 2: Right-Click menu Showing Topology and Label Functions Dropdown menu from a network visualization tool with options for node details, layout, topology recalculation, and view settings.

Dropdown menu from a network visualization tool with options for node details, layout, topology recalculation, and view settings.

Spanning Tree Topology View

The topology of each spanning tree can be viewed on VLAN View window and also on the topology map with color coded links and nodes that identify root/designated nodes and port states.To view the topology on VLAN View window, click on a spanning tree on the left panel and open Topology tab.The legends at the bottom right corner explain the color codes.

Figure 3: Topology View of a Spanning Tree Network topology diagram for Spanning Tree Protocol configuration showing DEVICE_XX connections. Blue lines indicate forwarding paths, red lines indicate blocking paths. Legend displays root node, designated ports, forwarding, and blocking symbols. Left panel lists VLANs, right panel shows selected VLAN topology.

Network topology diagram for Spanning Tree Protocol configuration showing DEVICE_XX connections. Blue lines indicate forwarding paths, red lines indicate blocking paths. Legend displays root node, designated ports, forwarding, and blocking symbols. Left panel lists VLANs, right panel shows selected VLAN topology.

There is also right click menu that allows you to change the spanning tree topology layout into either tree or circular shape from the original MAP (standard) standard. Place the cursor on any point inside the topology window and do a right click to change the topology layout.

Figure 4: Right-Click Menu to Re-Layout the Spanning Tree Topology Dropdown menu with options: Node Detail and Show Config unavailable; Layout Options expanded with Circular, Copy Map Layout selected, Tree; Recalculate Topology; View Options.

Dropdown menu with options: Node Detail and Show Config unavailable; Layout Options expanded with Circular, Copy Map Layout selected, Tree; Recalculate Topology; View Options.

The Spanning tree topology can also be viewed on the topology map. Choose Subviews > L2STP from the top left drop-down menu on the Map (Standard) window.You should now view a list of all spanning trees present in the existing network with the following naming conventions: VLANID (Root Node) for PVSTs and STP-Type (Root Node) for all other types of spanning trees. Click on a spanning tree on the left panel to view its topology on the map. The nodes and links of the selected spanning tree are colored such that each color signifies their roles.

Figure 5: Topology View of a Spanning Tree Network topology diagram showing Layer 2 STP configuration with DEVICE_17 as root bridge, active green links, and blocked red links to prevent loops.

Network topology diagram showing Layer 2 STP configuration with DEVICE_17 as root bridge, active green links, and blocked red links to prevent loops.

Following is a list of coloring conventions followed:

Pink Colored Node : Root Node.
Blue Colored Node : Designated Node.
Green Colored Node : Non-STP Node.
Green Colored Link : Ports on both ends of the link are in forwarding state.
Red Colored Link : Ports on one or both ends of the link are in blocking state.