PRTG Manual: Network Connectivity
UVexplorer uses information collected from devices to calculate the network connectivity. The detailed knowledge of all of the devices on the network allows it to create an extensive view of the network, the device interfaces and the ways they are connected.
When connections between devices are calculated they are represented within the application as a link. The links can be seen on the device details 'Links/Connectivity' tab. Links can also be viewed as lines between devices on the topology maps. Each link contains information about the devices participating in the link and the interfaces they are connected on.
Occasionally when calculating connectivity, connections between devices are seen, but there is enough information to indicate that an unseen device is between the connected devices. These unseen devices are actively participating in the network, and will often respond to simple requests, but for some reason UVexplorer was unable to capture the information from the device needed to complete the connectivity calculations. This is often a result of not having the correct SNMP credentials to communicate with the device, or the device being unsupported. Unseen devices are presented in the application as unmanaged, since there is enough information to know they exist but the application is unable to manage them.
When unseen devices exist all device connections connecting through that device are included in one link. These links will include multiple devices, each indicating that it is connected to the same unmanaged device. These unmanaged devices are represented in the topology map as a single connection point with all connecting devices having lines attaching to it.
The details of a link can be viewed in the device details 'Links/Connectivity' tab or in a link properties view available by double clicking a link on the map or using the map links context menu.
Device
The 'Device' column displays the display name of the device participating in the link.
IF Index
The 'IF Index' column displays the interface index of the device interface participating in the link.
IF Name
The 'IF Name' column displays the interface name and description.
Connecting device
The second Device, IF Index, IF Name columns display the information for the device and interface on the other end of the link connection.
Wireless clients are connected to the network on wireless radios that are usually part of a wireless access point. Typically multiple clients will connect to one wireless radio. A wireless link represents a wireless radio and all of the devices connected to it. Wireless links are displayed on the map as a single connection point representing the radio with all connecting clients having lines attaching to it.
Wireless link properties are displayed similar to other links displaying the Device, IF Index, and IF Name. The wireless properties also include the Radio name and SSID associated with the connection.
Occasionally you may want to manually link devices so that they are represented correctly on topology maps.
See Manual Links for more information.
