Network topology

Introduction

NetXMS server automatically creates and maintains network model on different layers. All necessary information taken from ARP cache, routing tables, and switch forwarding database of managed nodes. Topology data provided by CDP, LLDP, and NDP (SONMP) protocols also used in building network model. Having network model instantly available allows NetXMS users to perform various network topology tasks much faster and easier.

How topology information built

Find where node is connected

It is possible to find switch port where any given node is connected (sometimes called “connection point” in management console). To find out node’s connection point, right-click on node object, and select Find switch port in pop-up menu. Message box with search results will pop up, and if port is found, search results view will be opened (or updated if already open). Search results view looks like this:

Columns have the following meaning:

Seq.	Search result sequence number
Node	Name of end node object
Interface	Name of node’s interface object
MAC	Interface’s MAC address
IP	Interface’s IP address
Switch	Name of switch node object
Port	Name of interface object representing switch port
Type	Connection type - direct or indirect. Direct connection type means that NetXMS server did not detect any other devices on sdame switch port, and most likely end node connected directly to the switch. Indirect means that some other devices was detected on same switch port. Virtual machines and virtual machine host will always be detected as indirect.

Find MAC address

It is possible to find location of any known MAC address in the network. To do this, select Tools ‣ Find MAC address. Results of a search will be displayed in the same results view. It is not necessary that node with given MAC address be managed by NetXMS server, but if it is, appropriate details will be displayed.

Find IP address

It is possible to find location of any known IP address in the network. To do this, select Tools ‣ Find IP address. Results of a search will be displayed in the same results view. It is not necessary that node with given IP address be managed by NetXMS server, but if it is, appropriate details will be displayed.