Topology View

The topology view displays the members of the object selected in the hierarchy view. You can customize the topology view in the following ways:

• Change the way in which an object is displayed, as described in To Change the Topology Layout. For example, you can view an object as a grid, a network, or a ring.

• Connect objects together, as described in To Connect Objects in the Topology View.

• Add a background picture or a map, as described in To Provide a Background Image for the Topology View.

There are two types of windows that contain topology views:

• Domain view in the main console window, as illustrated in Figure 5–1

• Browser contents view in the Details window, as illustrated in Figure 6–7

Both the administrative domain and the browser contents views behave in the same manner.

To Navigate the Topology View

1. To view details about a host, click or double-click the host icon.

   • If the selected object is a host, the Details window appears.

   • If the object contains other managed objects, the topology view expands to display the members of the selected object.

2. To access the pop-up menu for an object, press mouse button 3 on the object icon.

   For more information about pop-up menus, see To Access a Pop-Up Menu.

3. To select an object, click the object icon.

To Change the Topology Layout

In the topology view, you can choose to view an object using one of several layout types. For example, you can simply view the objects as a list, or you can view the objects as a ring network.

1. To change the topology layout, choose Topology Layouts from the View menu in the main console window.

   A selection list appears.

2. Click the layout that you want to use.

   You can choose one of the following layout types:

   • Network (default) – Shows the objects arranged in one of the following ways:

     • Across the window in the order in which the objects were discovered or added to the database

     • As arranged by the console user

   • Grid – Shows the objects arranged in an organized grid in the order in which the objects were discovered or were added to the database

   • List – Shows the objects in a vertical list in the order in which the objects were discovered or were added to the database

   • Bus – Shows the objects linked together by a series of lines that mirror the view of a network bus

   • Star – Shows the objects in a star to indicate the parent object is a star network

   • Spoked Ring – Shows the objects in a ring to indicate the parent object is a ring network

   The topology layout changes within a few seconds of when you select a type.

To Provide a Background Image for the Topology View

You can select background images to place your managed objects in the approximate locations where the physical network components exist. This ability can be useful if you have managed objects that are located in various states or countries. Once you have set the backgrounds and placed the objects where they reside, if a problem occurs, you would be able to respond more quickly because you know where the managed object is.

1. To choose a background for the current topology view, choose Set Topology Background from the View menu in the main console window.

   The Set Topology Background window appears.

2. Click the name of the geographical location that you want to use.

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   Tip –

   Use the scroll bar at the right side of the window to move up and to move down in the list.

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3. Determine how many instances of the background image to display.

   • To apply just a single instance of the background image, make sure that Tile with this image is not selected.

   • To apply multiple instances of the background image, make sure that Tile with this image is selected.

4. To apply your changes and close the Set Topology Background window, click Set.

To Remove the Background Image From the Topology View

1. To remove a background for the current topology view, choose Set Topology Background from the View menu in the main console window.

   The Set Topology Background window appears.

2. Click the Unset button.

   The Set Topology Background window closes. The topology view is redrawn without any topology background image.

To Connect Objects in the Topology View

To make the topology view of your network more realistic, you can create a representation of the network connections between objects.

1. In the topology view, click the icon for the first managed object that you want to connect.

   A selection box appears around the selected object.

2. Press the Shift key, and click the icon for the second managed object that you want to connect.

   A selection box appears around the selected object. At this point, both objects should have selection boxes.

3. To create the connection, choose Create Connection from the Edit menu in the main console window.

   The Create Connection window appears.

4. In the Create Connection window, click the type of network connection to use.

   Values include the following types:

   • General – Indicates either that you do not know the type of network connection or that the connection does not fit any other category

   • RS–232 – Indicates an RS-232 connection

   • T1 – Indicates a T1 connection

   • T3 – Indicates a T3 connection

5. Type a label for the connection.

   For example, Print Client-Print Server.

6. (Optional) Type an additional description for the connection.

7. To create the connection and close the Create Connection window, click OK.

   A line appears in the topology view, connecting the objects.

To Remove a Connection Between Managed Objects

1. Click the line that indicates the connection in the topology view.

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   Caution –

   Make sure to click the connection line carefully. If you also select an object, you might inadvertently remove that object.

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2. Choose Delete Object/Connection from the Edit menu in the main console window.

   The topology view updates.