Dynamic Network Diagram Software

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Network Diagramming Technology Has Advanced...

Supported by Operator Edition | Architect Edition

A Closer Look at Dynamic Network Diagram

You create dynamic network diagrams interactively inside NetBrain. It often starts with a few simple inputs such as entering an IP address in search dialog or defining two end points for a traffic flow. The underlying data model will create the dynamic diagram immediately and you can then interactively shape it to what you want. A network diagram with hundreds of nodes and thousands of details may be created with one-click. The following example illustrates one method to create and use an instant diagram:

	Step 1: Import two configuration files and the base diagram is created automatically
	Step 2: Zoom in the map to reveal more details of the network design
	Step 3: Annotate the routing design as captured by the data model
	Step 4: (optional) Update an old map based on the current network (Router bst_core is no longer in service therefore grayed out)
	Step 5: Export to Visio to create a static network diagram

View Video of Creating Network Diagram by Importing Configuration Files (60 seconds)

Types of Dynamic Network Diagram – L2 and L3

During the creation of a dynamic network diagram, NetBrain makes a number of assumptions about user intention so that the process can be automated. One of them is the type of map - L3 or L2.

An L3 map illustrates the L3 topology and L3 network design such as IP routing and traffic filtering. An L2 map describes switch-level details and the VLAN related design. An example of each type is shown below:

NetBrain L3 network diagramming

L3 Dynamic Network Diagram Example

NetBrain L2 Network Diagram

L2 Dynamic Network Diagram Example

Build a Dynamic Network Diagram Instantly

With NetBrain, you no longer need to create a network diagram before you actually use it. Diagram creation is on-the-fly and many methods exist for the different tasks at hand. In other words, you create network diagrams instantly while you are troubleshooting outages, proposing new design or auditing network.

The following are commonly used methods to build dynamic network diagrams instantly.

1. Extending Neighbor Hop-by-Hop (L2 &L3) From any device in the map, click the red “+” sign to open the dynamic neighbor dialog. Then double-click any entry you want to map out. Repeat the procedure for the next-hop device until all devices you wanted are in the map View Video
2. Point A to Point B Traffic Path (L2 & L3) Enter an IP address or host name in the “A” box and “B” box to map out the live or historic traffic path. View Video Require Architect Edition or Operator Edition
3. Map Trace Route (L3) Copy the trace route data from any source and paste to NetBrain to map the traffic flow. View Video
4. From a Text Alarm Via the NetBrain integration API, right-click a text alarm in tools like NetCool to create a map automatically in NetBrain.
5. Drag-and-drop Routing Table Entry (L3) After decoding the routing table, NetBrain can create a diagram for each entry. View Video
6. Drag-and-drop one-IP Table Entry (L2) NetBrain builds a special L2 connectivity table – One-IP table after network discovery. Do a search in the One-IP table for an IP, MAC or hostname and create an L2 map for the search result. View Video
7. Device Group (L3) To map a list of devices: first build a device group that contains each device, then map out all devices in the group. View Video
8. Switch Group (L2) Map out all switches in a data center, use the map switch group function. View Video

There are many more capabilities with the first dynamic network diagram software - NetBrain. The best way to learn more is try it out - it is very easy to use.

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