Creating Layer 2 Groups

You can create Layer 2 groups and apply dynamic map filters to layer 2 maps so that the maps update dynamically, each time device information is changed.

As a part of selecting (filtering) devices to display in the dynamic topology maps, you use Map Devices and Connected Devices selection filters to build the a custom map. For example, using the Map Devices filtering options, you can select devices in the IP range of 10.0.0.1 - 10.0.0.100 to appear on a map. Any device added to the network, within the range, will be added to the map. You can also apply Connected Devices filters to show devices connected to the core mapped devices. For example, you can filter a map to show all servers connected to switches on the topology map.

This feature helps ensure that your layer-2 topology maps are up-to-date with the most recent network configuration.

Use the The Layer-2 Group Properties dialog to:

• Define the devices you want to show on the group map so that each time the map is updated dynamically, any new devices that match the criteria is added to the map.
• Configure the topology layout and display settings; for example, radial, hierarchy, manual map layout options.
• Configure monitor settings for the group/map.

To create a new layer 2 group and manage group map settings:

1. On the WhatsUp Gold web interface, in Map View, right-click inside the map. From the right-click menu, click Map Options > Group/Layout Settings. The Layer-2 Group Properties dialog appears.

   - or -

   On the WhatsUp Gold web interface, in Map View, right-click inside the map. From the right-click menu, click New > New Layer-2 Group. The Layer-2 Group Properties dialog appears.

2. Enter a Device Group Name for the new group/map.
3. Use the dialog's three tabs to configure map settings:

   Devices tab

   Select the Update Mode:

   • Dynamic. Select this option to apply map filters to the topology map each time device information is changed.
   • Manual. Select this option to disable device filtering for maps. When the device filters are disabled, you can add devices to the map with the topology map right-click menu.

   Use the Map Devices and Connected Devices boxes to design a filter for the devices you want to include on the map. Click Edit to open the Edit Devices Filter dialog and make device filter selections. For more information, see Configuring Device Filters.

   If you want to see layer-2 links for devices in the map, select the Show Layer-2 Links option.

   If you want to see association links for devices in the map, select the Show Association Links option.

   Layout tab

   To understand the layout modes, you must be familiar with the layout strategy used by the WhatsUp Gold topology engine. For each map, the topology viewer automatically selects a root device, which becomes the starting point of the diagrams. The root device is selected based on finding the device on the diagram with the most network connections.

   Using the connectivity model, the topology viewer sets the root as the parent and then assigns all connected devices as children. This process continues until all devices on the topology map are given a parent/child relationship.

   With the parent/child relationships calculated, the topology viewer provides three layout modes for any topology map. These modes describe the manner in which each child node (or device) is given its position on the topology map. The layout modes are described as follows:

   • Radial. In the radial layout mode, connected child devices are given positions in a radial (or circular) pattern around their parent device. You can modify the layout results by changing the following layout attributes:
     • Level Spacing. This setting dictates the amount of space between the parent and child device. Increase this value to provide more spacing between the parent and children devices.
     • Node Angle. This setting dictates the amount of space between each child (or sibling) devices. Increase this value to fan out the children.

   Note: When increasing the node angle, if a large number of devices are shown connected to one parent, the radial layout may overlap (make a full circle). In this case you may need to decrease the node angle and increase the level spacing.

   • Hierarchy. In this mode, connected child devices are given positions in a hierarchical (or tree like) pattern in relationship to their parent. You can modify the layout results by changing the following layout attributes:

     Direction. This setting indicates the placement of the root device and the direction the children will be placed from the root device.

     • Down. The root device is placed at the top of the topology map, and children are placed respectively below the root device.
     • Up. The root device is placed at the bottom of the topology map, and children are placed respectively above the root.
     • Left. The root device is placed at the right of the topology map, and children are placed respectively to the left of the root.
     • Right. The root device is placed at the left of the topology map, and children are placed respectively to the right of the root.

     Alignment. This setting indicates the placement of the root (or parent) device in relationship to its children.

     • Center. The root/parent device is centered (either vertically/horizontally) with respect to its children.
     • Left. The root/parent device is located to the far left (either vertically/horizontally) with respect to its children.
     • Right. The root/parent device is located to the far right (either vertically/horizontally) with respect to its children.

     Level Spacing. This setting dictates the amount of space between the parent and child devices. Increase this value to provide more spacing between the parent and children devices.

     Node Spacing. This setting dictates the amount of space between each child (or sibling) devices. Increase this value to create more space between sibling devices.

   • Manual. In this mode, the automatic layout methods are turned off and you are given complete control over device placement on the topology map. The topology maps provide a drag-and-drop capability to simplify creating and arranging a custom topology map. The following is a list of drag-and-drop operations in manual layout mode.
     • Left Mouse Click. Selects a device on the topology map.
     • Left Mouse Click + Mouse Move. Selects and drags a device to a new position on the topology map.
     • You can use the manual layout mode to add new devices to the topology map. The method to add a device is the same as adding a device in radial or hierarchical layout mode. After the devices are placed on the topology map, you can manually move devices on the map or select the radial or hierarchy layout settings to readjust the map.

   Monitors tab

   Select the Monitor Settings you want to apply to the map. You can select to:

   • Enable Ping/SNMP Interface Active Monitors
   • Create Ping Latency and Availability Performance Monitors
   • Create Interface Utilization Performance Monitors
   • Enable Performance Monitors
4. Click OK to save changes.

See Also Using Maps Using Map View About Map View device limitations Using Map Options commands