Extreme Networks EPICenter 6.0, Reference Manual

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EPICenter Reference Guide
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11 Network Topology Views
This chapter describes how to use the EPICenter Topology View applet for:
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Viewing EPICenter Topology maps
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Creating new topology views
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Adding, moving and deleting map elements (nodes and links)
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Setting display properties for individual maps or a complete topology view
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Modifying the layout of a topology map
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Adding links or edge ports to VLANs
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Viewing other information about a device through the right-click pop-up menu
Overview of Topology Views
EPICenter’s Topology applet allows you to view your network (EPICenter-managed devices and the
links between devices) as a set of maps. These maps can be organized into sets of submaps that allow
you to represent your network as a hierarchical system of campuses, buildings, floors, closets, or
whatever logical groupings you want. You can also create additional topology views (sets of maps) for
different purposes.
For views with the Auto Populate View option enabled, the Topology applet automatically adds device
nodes as they are added to EPICenter’s device inventory. It also adds any links that exist between the
device nodes, and organizes them into submaps as appropriate. You can customize the resulting maps
by moving elements, adding new elements, such as links, “decorative” (non-managed) nodes, and text,
and customizing the device nodes themselves. The Default view, which appears when you first access
the Topology applet, is auto-populated with the devices currently in EPICenter’s inventory.
NOTE
Links can only be discovered and auto-populated between Extreme Networks devices that have the Extreme
Discovery Protocol (EDP) or the Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) enabled, or on third-party devices with LLDP
enabled. Links cannot be discovered on non-Extreme Networks devices that do not run LLDP, or on Extreme
Networks devices with EDP and LLDP disabled,
In addition, from a managed device node on the map, you can invoke other EPICenter functions such
as the alarm browser, interactive Telnet, real-time statistics, a front panel view, the VLAN Manager, or
view device properties from a Properties window. You can also connect to ExtremeWare Vista for a
selected device running ExtremeWare.
Maps are initially created in a layout based on information in EPICenter’s device inventory. You can
customize the layouts into hierarchical views using cut and paste, or by deleting devices from a map
and then adding them to a different map. You can also add and remove links between devices, and
“decorative” nodes (nodes that aren’t discovered or managed by EPICenter).