PRTG Manual: Network Topology Maps
Network topology maps provide a map view of the discovered network. Device groups and categories allow you to segment your network into logical groups. Each group and category has a topology map that gives you a map view of the group. The topology map provides a great way to visualize your network and the connections between your devices. Topology maps can be exported to Lucidchart, Visio, PDF, and SVG. The map also provides a way to interact with your devices, including easy access to UVexplorer tools and operations.
The topology map contains a node representing each device in the device group. Each node is positioned on the map either automatically using various layout algorithms or manually by moving the node to its location. The device connection links are displayed on the map as lines connecting the nodes.
In addition to the nodes and connectivity, the topology map provides a way to display custom images behind the topology.
To view the map select a Device Group or Category and select the 'Map' tab in the right pane.
Topology maps contain both a topology layer and a background image layer. To change layers use the layer icons in the lower right corner of the map. The menus and interaction options change depending on which map layer is selected. When the topology layer is selected, you are interacting with the devices and links on the map. When the image layer is selected, you are interacting with the maps background images.
The image layer allows you to add background images to the map. Background images can be placed, dragged and sized on the map. When multiple background images are on the map, they can be ordered as well.
Adding Images
To place an image on the map, right click on the map or an image and use the context menu's 'Add' option. An image chooser will be presented. When an image is selected the image will be placed on the map at the mouse location used to open the context menu.
Removing Images
To remove an image select it and press the delete key or use the context menu 'Remove' item.
Dragging Images
To drag an image simply click on it and drag it to the new location.
Sizing Images
To size an image click on it and the node size handles will be shown. Then select the handle in the corner you want to size, and drag the handle to the new size.
Ordering Images
Images on the image layer can be ordered. To order images use the images context menu and use the send forward or back options. If multiple images overlap you can use the Send To Back or Bring To Front options to bring the image all the way to the front or send it all the way to the back.
When the Topology layer is selected, you are working with the devices in the topology map. The operations available in the topology layer are outlined below.
Map settings are part of the device group's or category settings. The settings can be accessed by selecting the 'Settings...' menu item from the maps context menu, or other places where the group or category settings are available.
The map settings provide an option of whether to display the map. For larger groups the topology map may not be useful, and drawing the map can slow the time required to load and work with the groups. If you have a large group that makes the application slow to respond, and you don't need the map for that group, disabling drawing the map could speed up the application.
Topology maps can be laid out automatically using layout algorithms or manually. When maps are laid out automatically, the layout of each cluster of connected devices is placed on the map from left to right until all of the clusters are placed. Any unconnected devices are laid out in a grid above the clusters.
When automatic layouts are used, the clusters of connected devices require a root before the layout algorithm can begin. A topology map can have a root for each cluster of connected devices. The root can be selected automatically by calculating the paths between the devices and choosing the device in the middle of the paths. This approach creates the smallest cluster.
The root can also be specified manually by selecting the 'Set as Root' menu item on the node context menu item. To find manually selected roots on the map, use the maps 'Select assigned roots' context menu item. To return a cluster to using an automatically selected root, use the node 'Auto-Select Root' context menu item.
The Radial Layout algorithm is applied to each cluster of connected devices on the map. The algorithm starts with the root and lays out each child node in a wheel spanning out from the root. Each layer of connected child devices is laid out recursively from there in a similar manner with the device nearest the root behaving as a root.
When using radial layout the following settings are available:
Minimum Radius
Minimum radius is the minimum length in pixels between a node and its children. Child nodes won't be placed closer to the parent than the minimum radius
Maximum Radius
Maximum radius is the maximum length in pixels between a node and its children. When the nodes are laid out they have to stay within an angle. If the nodes won't fit within the angle at the radius distance then the distance is expanded util the nodes will fit. If the maximum radius is reached before the nodes fit within the angle then the layout will attempt to lay the nodes out in layers from the parent in an attempt to reduce the needed angle. If the nodes can't be layered in a way that honors the maximum radius, the radius will be extended until the nodes fit the angle.
Maximum Angle
When child nodes are laid out from a parent they are laid out within an available angle depending on neighboring nodes. The Maximum angle setting will artificially restrict the available layout angle to the specified value. The maximum angle value does not apply to the root node, it will be laid out in a full circle regardless.
The Hierarchical Layout algorithm is applied to each cluster of connected devices on the map. The algorithm starts at the root and lays out each child node in a straight layer extended away from it. Each layer of connected child devices is laid out recursively from there in a similar manner with the device nearest the root behaving as a root.
When using hierarchical layout the following settings are available:
Level Spacing
Level spacing is the distance in pixels between a node and it children laid out in the level below it.
Node Spacing
Node spacing is the distance in pixels between neighbor nodes on the same level.
Root Alignment
When child nodes are placed on a level below a node, the node can be aligned centered above the nodes, or to the right or left of the nodes.
Layout Direction
When a node's children are placed, they can be placed either above(up), below(down), or left or right of the node. When placed to the left or right of a node, the level orientation changes from horizontal to vertical.
When topology maps are laid out manually, nodes can be moved and placed as needed. When manual maps begin, all nodes are placed in a grid with no particular order. To manually place a node simply click and drag the node to its new location. Multiple nodes can be dragged at the same time by multi-selecting the nodes, and dragging one of the selected nodes.
Automatic layouts can be used in conjunction with manual layouts. A great way to start a manual map is with an automatic layout. To accomplish this, start with an automatic layout and change the layout to manual. When this is done, the current position of the devices will be retained.
NOTE: Changing a map from manual layout to automatic layout will lose the manual positions of all devices on the map.
As new devices are added to the group or large changes are needed, you can layout the children of a device by selecting the 'Layout Children' menu item on the device node context menu. The 'Layout Children' dialog allows you to specify the layout settings. Once the settings are selected the algorithm will layout all of the children of the node as an independent cluster. The cluster will then be placed on the map oriented from the initiating node with no consideration to any other devices not in the newly laid out cluster.
A final way to take advantage of automatic layouts in manual maps is to select the 'Layout Map...' option in the map context menu. The layout map option will allow you to select the automatic map layout settings and layout all of the nodes on the map with those settings as if it were an automatic map.
Topology nodes represent devices in the group and certain device links. The image representing the node is selected depending on the type of device such as switch, server, wireless access point etc. In addition to displaying the device type, an image for the vendor will also be included when the vendor is known and an image is available.
Device multi links and wireless links are also represented as nodes on the map. Each has an image and can be interacted with similar to devices. (A multi-link is a link with more than two participating devices.)
The topology map allows you to select a single device or multiple devices. To select a single device, simply click on the device. Selecting multiple devices can be done as follows
▪Select multiple individual devices by holding down Ctrl while clicking on the devices. Any previously selected devices will remain selected when a new device is clicked while holding down Ctrl.
▪Select all devices on the map by pressing Ctrl-A.
▪Select all descendants of a device node by holding Shift-Ctrl while clicking on the device
▪Select all devices within a selection rectangle. While holding down Ctrl, click and drag the mouse to draw a rectangle around the devices you want to select. All devices within the rectangle will be selected.
To unselect a selected device, click away from it on the map. To unselect a device when multiple devices are selected click on the device while holding the Ctrl button.
To drag an individual device, press and hold the Left mouse button and drag the device to a new location. To drag multiple devices, select the devices and press and drag any of the selected devices. All selected devices will be dragged.
The devices presented on a map are determined based on the device membership of the group. They can be changed by changing the group membership settings. On static membership maps,there are several way that you can remove devices from a map. Maps with dynamic membership do not support the below mentioned features. Removing the devices from the map will remove the devices from the group. A confirmation dialog will be presented for any remove operations.
Note: Removing devices from the map will not remove them from the discovery results. To permanently delete a device from the discovery result, use the device list view.
Note: Removing a Link Node will remove the link and all attached descendant device nodes as well.
The following options are available for removing devices from a static membership map:
Delete Key
To delete devices with the delete key, select the devices and press the delete key.
Remove Selected
The context menu on any device provides the 'Remove Selected' option. When selected, all currently selected devices will be removed.
Remove Devices
The topology map provides a context menu option 'Remove Devices'. The 'Remove Devices' context menu allows you to remove devices by selecting them from a device picker containing all devices currently on the map.
Remove Connected
The context menu on device and link nodes provides the ability to remove connected descendant devices of a certain type. The menu items will display counts of how many devices of each type are currently connected to the device. When selected, all connected descendant devices of that type will be removed from the map. The remove connected 'Select' option will display a device picker containing all of the connected descendant devices.
You can also remove all connected devices by category type from the map using the map context menu.
Remove Associated
The context menu on device and link nodes provides the ability to remove associated descendant devices of a certain type. The menu items will display counts of how many devices of each type are currently associated with the device. When selected, all associated descendant devices of that type will be removed from the map. The remove associated 'Select' option will display a device picker containing all of the associated descendant devices.
Associated devices are devices that have a relationship to the device without having an actual physical connection, such as Wireless Access Points and Virtual Hosts.
You can also remove all associated devices by category type from the map using the map context menu.
Changing Group Membership
The nodes on a map will also change as the group membership is changed based on the group membership settings.
The devices presented on a map are determined based on the device membership of the group. They can be changed by changing the group membership settings. On static membership maps the devices can also be added in various ways while interacting with the map. Maps with dynamic membership do not support the below mentioned features. Adding the devices to the map will also add the devices to the group.
Note: Only devices that have been discovered and are part of the currently-open discovery result can be added to the map using these methods. To Add/Discover a new device, use the 'Add Device' option in the main view's home menu.
Add Devices
The topology map provides a context menu option named 'Add Devices'. The 'Add Devices' context menu option allows you to add devices by selecting them from a device picker containing all devices not currently on the map.
Add Connected
The context menu on device and link nodes provides the ability to add connected devices of a certain type. The menu items will display counts of how many devices of each type are currently connected to the device and currently on the map. When selected, all connected devices of that type will be added to the map. The Add Connected 'Select' option will display a device picker containing all of the connected devices not currently on the map.
You can also add all connected devices by category type to the map using the map context menu.
Add Associated
The context menu on device and link nodes provides the ability to add associated devices of a certain type. The menu items will display counts of how many devices of each type are currently associated with the device and currently on the map. When selected, all associated devices of that type will be added to the map. The Add Associated 'Select' option will display a device picker containing all of the associated devices not currently on the map.
Associated devices are devices that have a relationship to the device without having an actual physical connection, such as Wireless Access Points and Virtual Hosts.
You can also add all associated devices by category type to the map using the map context menu.
If devices are monitored, they will have a monitoring state associated with them. The state of these devices will be displayed on the map as a color coded icon. Device state will be updated automatically on the map as the state of the device changes when monitors complete.
The map allows access to several of the network tools. This provides an intuitive way of selecting devices and performing common operations on them. The tools will either interact with all of the devices on the map, or just the selected ones. You can access the map tools options from either the map or device context menu's 'Tools' option.
▪The Poll CPU, Poll Devices, and Scan Device Ports tools will operate on all devices on the map. These tools will open pre-populated with all of the devices in the group.
▪The Poll Device Interfaces, Capture Config, Layer 2 Trace and Send Wake On LAN tools will operate on a single selected device. The tool will operate on the device used to open tool.
The device context menu allows you to connect to a device using SSH, Telnet, or a Web Browser. Each of these options will open either the browser or a Putty connection to the device and will be ready for you to authenticate with the device when necessary.
You can send a simple ping request to a device using the device context menu 'Ping' option. This will send a ping request to the device's primary IP Address. The results of the request will be displayed in a Windows command prompt.
Each map can be exported to either Lucidchart, Visio, PDF, or SVG. To export a map use the map context menu 'Export' item. Dialogs with the applicable export settings will be presented to be configured before the export can be completed.
Export is only available in licensed and trial modes. In trial mode the export is limited to 10 nodes.
See Exporting Topology Maps for more information.
Topology maps support zooming between close to 0% up to 200%. Several options for zooming are available.
A zoom track bar is available below the map. This supports zooming by either sliding the track bar or pressing the + and - buttons. You can also select a zoom value on the track bar by clicking on the track bar.
You can zoom relative to a particular point on the map by placing the mouse at the desired location, pressing and holding the Ctrl key, and rolling mouse wheel or equivalent in and out.
You can zoom the map to the best scale level to fit the map by pressing the Fit and Center button located to the right of the zoom track bar. This will zoom the map to the best scale value to fit the map as well as centering the map in the window.
Zoom Magnifying Glass
The zoom magnifying glass when enabled will display a zoom pane near the mouse containing the contents of the map at the mouse point, scaled to the specified zoom value. The zoom magnifying glass is located to the right of the zoom track bar and contains a drop down with the magnifying glasses zoom settings. The drop down contains the following settings.
Show Magnifying Glass
A check-box indicating whether to display the zoom magnifying glass pane. When checked the pane will display near the mouse whenever it is placed over the map.
Width and Height
The width and height values determine the size of the magnifying glass pane in pixels.
Zoom
The zoom track bar determines the zoom scale of the map magnifying glass pane. This value is separate from the map's primary zoom level.
If the map is zoomed such that the entire map does not fit in the map view, you can pan to the areas outside of the view.
You can pan the map using the scroll bars similar to scrolling documents and other items that do not fit in their view.
You can also drag the map to pan to a new area. To pan select a point on the map and drag the mouse. The map will pan/move as if you picked up the map and moved it in that direction. This should be similar to other map software you may be familiar with.
Note: Be careful not to grab a node when wanting to drag the map doing so will drag the node instead.
You can zoom the map to the best scale level to fit the map by pressing the Fit and Center button located to the right of the zoom track bar. This will zoom the map to the best scale value to fit the map as well as centering the map in the window.
You can find the location of a device on the map using the Find on Map feature. The Find on Map tool is located in the lower left corner of the map. It is a drop down pane with a binocular image. Find on Map allows you to use partial word matching based on several device values.
To open the Find on Map tool, click on the binocular drop down. All devices on the map will be displayed in a grid below a find text area. The devices can be filtered by typing a word or partial word to match on into the find text area. The search word will be matched to all columns in the device grid. Any devices with available attributes matching the find word will remain in the device list. Once you have located the device you would like to find on the map in the device list, click on the device, and the map will select that device and pan and zoom to that device's location.
Topology maps support application wide drawing settings that allow you to specify how links and labels are drawn on maps. See Map Draw Settings for more information.
