Network maps

The Monitor > Network Maps page is the interface for viewing/monitoring, creating, and customizing network maps. Management views for mapping groups and objects can also be accessed from this page.

This section contains guides and information on the Network Maps tab/section of the web interface, as well as further details related to Scrutinizer’s network mapping functions.

On this page:

Overview

Network mapping overview

Creating maps

Creating a new map

Viewing maps

Viewing network maps

Map customization

Map customization

Managing mapping groups

Managing mapping groups

Managing mapping object

Managing mapping objects

Network mapping overview

Scrutinizer’s integrated network mapping functions allow users to create dynamic, highly-customizable topology visualizations that can greatly enhance network monitoring and management workflows.

Network maps can be created as one of two types:

• Spatial maps allow map objects to be manually positioned in any layout. Custom connections, objects, and backgrounds (e.g., wiring cabinet, office floor plan, etc.) can also be used to increase the level of detail.

• Geographical maps use the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates associated with map objects to automatically position them on a global map. Geomaps can help identify devices with issues, even when there are multiple topologies dispersed across different physical locations. Coordinates can be entered via the mapping object management view.

Existing maps can be viewed from the main Network Maps page and/or added to dashboards.

Important

• Geographical maps require a Google Maps browser API key, which can be entered in the options tray of the mapping group management view.

• Access to the Internet is required for Google Maps geolocation requests. If Scrutinizer is unable to reach the Internet normally, a Google Maps proxy server can be configured under Admin > Settings > Google Maps Proxy Server.

Mapping/map groups

Network maps are populated by assigning objects to mapping groups. Maps/groups can be created from either the main Network Maps page or the mapping group management view.

Groups are populated as part of creating a new map, but they can also be manually defined from the mapping group management view.

Note

Mapping groups are a separate grouping scheme from IP groups.

Object membership for existing groups can be modified at any time, and the map will automatically be updated the next time it refreshes.

For further details on mapping groups, see the page on mapping group management.

Mapping/map objects

Each mapping group can contain any number of objects of the following types:

• Devices/exporters

• Other mapping groups

• Custom map objects (spatial maps only)

Map objects can be added or reconfigured while in map edit mode (objects assigned to current map/group only) or from the mapping object management view.

For further details on mapping objects, see the page on mapping object management.

Connections

Connections are used to add links between objects in network maps and can serve the following functions:

• Show basic association between objects

• Display status/activity between interfaces

• Run a saved report for the connected objects

Each map can be configured with any number of connections, allowing users to tailor maps to their monitoring needs.

To learn more about adding and configuring connections, see this section.

Creating a new map

New network maps/mapping groups can be created from the main Monitor > Network Maps page or the mapping group management view.

Note

After a spatial map/group is first populated, map objects will be stacked on top of each other until they are manually repositioned in map edit mode. Objects in new geographical maps will be similarly clustered, unless they have had an address or GPS coordinates associated beforehand.

To add/create a new network map, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Monitor > Network Maps, and then click the Add button.

2. In the New Group tray, select whether to create a spatial map or geomap.

Important

Geographical maps require a valid Google Maps browser API key to be displayed correctly. If no key has been added, it can be entered in the field provided when creating a new geomap. An API key can also be added via the mapping group management view, in the options (gear) tray.

3. Enter a name (required) and description (optional) for the map.

4. Click the Apply button to automatically open the map configuration tray.

5. [Optional] In the Add Object secondary tray, use the checkboxes to select the devices and/or mapping groups to add as objects to the new map.

   Note

   Objects are added to the map in real time as they are selected.

6. [Optional] Add one or more custom objects to the new map by clicking the + button under Objects in the primary tray.

7. [Optional] Add one or more connections between objects in the new map by clicking the + button under Connections in the primary tray.

8. [Optional] Add a background image for the map by clicking Background in the primary tray and either selecting one of the provided images or uploading a custom background.

9. [Optional] Apply optional map settings to the new map under Settings in the primary tray.

10. Close the tray to return to the previous view.

Once a map has been created, it can be reconfigured or further customized at any time, through the optional steps described above. The map configuration tray can be accessed while in map edit mode or by selecting Settings in the three-button menu in the mapping group management view.

Viewing network maps

When navigating to the main Monitor > Network Maps page, the default map for the current user is displayed. To bring up a different map, click the All Maps button and select it from the list. Network maps can also be accessed by clicking on the map/group name in the mapping group management view.

The main map view includes the shortcuts/buttons to the following views and functions:

Mapping Groups	Opens the mapping group management view
Mapping Objects	Opens the mapping object management view
Add	Opens the new map/group tray
Refresh	Updates the map to reflect most recent collected data
Report Menu	Opens a tray from which any report applicable to the group can be run
Edit Map	Switch to map edit mode
Options	Configure the following global network map settings: - Refresh interval (in minutes) - Set connections to show rate or utilization - Use resolved hostnames instead of IP addresses as object labels

Exporter/device map objects can be clicked to inspect rate or utilization by interface (via the Explore > Exporters view). Child groups can also be clicked to drill into their maps.

To run a report, modify object properties (including location information), or create a connection from the object, right-click an exporter or group object at any time.

Note

• Full screen mode can be used to monitor network maps on larger displays. The zoom level can also be adjusted as needed using the corresponding buttons.

• To access data for all objects assigned to a network map, a user must also be granted access to all included devices and/or interfaces.

Map selection

The All Maps tray can be used to quickly switch between existing maps.

Clicking the reports (graph) icon opens the Available Reports tray, which allows the user to quickly pivot to any report applicable to the group. Hierarchical display for the map/group list can also be toggled on or off as needed.

Hint

If Map Hierarchy is enabled, expand a parent group to see all maps/groups added to it.

The View All Mapping Groups and View All Mapping Objects links can be used to navigate directly to the mapping group and mapping objects management views.

Adding maps to dashboards

Network maps can be added to dashboards, where they can be viewed alongside other dashboard gadgets.

To learn more about dashboards and gadgets, see this section of the manual.

Map customization

Network maps in Scrutinizer can be uniquely tailored to any type of environment/topology using several customizable elements.

Map edit mode

Once a map/group has been created, it can be further re-configured/customized by switching to map edit mode in the main network map view. This allows map objects in spatial maps to be freely repositioned.

The map editing toolbar provides access to the following functions:

• Configure map settings

• Mapping objects

• Select and drag objects

• Inspect/edit object membership

• Auto-align objects

• Edit object layering (Bring to front, Send to back, etc.)

After making changes, click the save button to update the map/group.

Additional shortcuts can also be accessed by right-clicking any object. Clicking the Edit Map button a second time exits map edit mode.

Note

• To assign location information to a geographical map object, left-click on the object to enable editing and select GPS Location in the secondary tray.

• Location information for an object is unique for each geographical map/group it is a member of.

Custom objects

Custom objects are non-device/non-group objects that can be displayed as icons (similar to regular map objects) or text boxes in a network map.

To add a new custom object, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the mapping object management view and click the + button.

2. Use the dropdown to select the object type to create (Icon or Text Box), and then configure the following properties for the object:

Icon object properties
Icon	Icon graphic to use for the object in the network map
Color	Color to apply to the icon
Size	Size of the icon
Weight	Icon variant to use
Label	Label to display for the object in the network map
Link	Complete URL of page to open when object is clicked (for example, http://www.plixer.com)
Description	Custom description to display in the tray object list and the mapping object management view

Text box object properties
Label	Label to display for the object in the network map
Type	Determines whether the selected color is applied to the text or the background
Link	Complete URL of page to open when object is clicked (for example, http://www.plixer.com)
Description	Custom description to display in the tray object list and the mapping object management view
Shape	Shape to use as the background for the text
Dimensions	Dimensions to apply to the selected shape (length, width, radius, etc.)
Color	Color to apply to the selected shape

3. Verify that the correct details have been entered, and then click the Apply button to save the new custom object.

Once a custom object has been created, it can be added to any map/group at any time. It can also be repositioned while in map edit mode and used as an endpoint in map connections (line and saved report connections only).

Note

• After adding a custom object to a geographical map, switch to map edit mode and left-click on the object to assign location information to it.

• Custom objects can also be defined while in map edit mode or from the mapping group management view, under Objects in the map settings/configuration tray.

Connections

To add links showing relationships or network activity between objects in a network map, define one or more connections for the group.

To define one or more connections for a map/group, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the mapping group management view and select Settings from the three-dot menu for the map to add connections to.

2. In the tray, click the + button under Connections.

3. In the secondary tray, use the two Endpoint dropdowns to select the objects to link with the connection.

4. Select a connection type from the Type dropdown, and then configure the required properties:

Connection Type	Function	Properties
Interface	Displays activity/utilization between the two endpoints on the specified interface	Interface/instance
Line	Static line linking the two objects	Color Label (optional)
Saved Report	Runs a specified saved report when clicked and changes color if thresholds are configured	Saved report to run Yellow, orange, and red thresholds (optional)

5. Verify that the correct details have been entered and click the Apply button.

After a connection has been added to a map, mouse over the connection to view additional details.

Note

• If a map/group has existing connections, they can be edited or deleted by clicking the corresponding icons in the list.

• Connections can also be added to a map by opening the tray while in edit mode.

Interface connections

Interface connections are dynamic links whose visual properties indicate real-time status and traffic/activity between objects:

• The arrow orientation indicates the directionality of the highest traffic volume (as indicated in the connection label).

• The object closer to the arrow is the device/interface on which activity is metered (i.e., the object that the activity displayed is inbound to or outbound from).

• The connection’s color indicates one of the following:

  • Green: Active

  • Yellow/orange/red: Utilization reaching global thresholds configured under Admin > Settings > Thresholds

  • Blue: No bandwidth statement available

  • Grey: No traffic

  • Dashed grey: No flow data received in the last 5 minutes

Note

Utilization percentages can only be displayed for interfaces whose speeds are known (via SNMP or a custom setting).

Saved report connections

Saved report connections can be configured to run any saved report that applies to the two endpoints defined in the connection.

The yellow, orange, and red thresholds configured for the connection apply to the total of the rightmost/calculated column of the report. These thresholds are independent of report thresholds, which can be added to any saved report to trigger alarms.

Backgrounds

Spatial maps support the use of custom backgrounds (e.g., wiring cabinets, office floor plans, etc.), which can be uploaded under Background, in the map settings/configuration tray.

This can be done while in map edit mode or from the mapping group management view.

Managing mapping groups

The Network Maps > Mapping Groups view can be used to create, configure, and manage mapping groups.

It lists all existing maps/groups, alongside the following details for each one:

• Status

• Type (spatial or geographic)

• Description (if set)

• Timestamp when the group was last modified

• User that created the map

Clicking on a group name displays the map in the main Network Maps page. The map settings/configuration tray and other shortcuts can be accessed from the three-dot menu.

Global mapping group/page settings

The Options tray (gear button) contains global network map settings, as well as options for the mapping group management view, including:

• Default map for the current user

• Google Maps browser API key and TLD

• Map refresh interval in minutes

• Enable/disable hierarchy view in the mapping group management view (independent of the map selection tray toggle in the main Network Maps view)

Bulk actions

When one or more maps/groups are selected, the following batch operations can be performed via the Bulk Actions tray:

• Add or remove objects for all selected groups (shows objects common to all selected groups)

• Run a report filtered on all devices/objects included in the selected groups

• Delete the selected groups

• Clear selection

Creating a new map/group

New maps can be created from the mapping group management view by clicking the + button and entering the map type and name for the new group. After the group has been created, it can be further customized (membership, connections, etc.) via the configuration tray.

Clicking a group name will display the map in the main Network Maps view, where it can be further configured in edit mode.

Configuration tray

Selecting Settings from the three-dot menu opens the configuration tray for that map/group, from where the map/group can be reconfigured/customized at any time.

The tray is divided into the following main sections (also accessible in map edit mode in the main Network Maps view):

Settings	Inspect/edit general settings
Objects	Manage object membership or add custom objects to the group
Connections	Define or manage connections for the group
Background	Upload/select a background for the network map

In addition, the configuration tray includes shortcuts for the following actions/functions:

• Run a specified report filtered on the devices/objects included in the group

• Create a duplicate of the selected map

• View the map in the main Network Maps view

• Set the selected map as the default map for the current user

Settings

The Settings section of the configuration tray contains the following general map settings/options:

Name	Name identifying the map/group
Auto-add devices	Automatically add devices with resolved hostnames matching the specified regular expressions (RegEx)
Truncate labels on	Shortens map object labels by omitting the entered string
Description	Optional description to add to the map/group (can also be viewed by clicking the i icon in member object lists)
Pass status	When enabled, the current group’s status will be reflected in its map icon in parent maps.

Objects

When expanded, the Objects section of the tray shows all map objects currently assigned to the group. Objects can also be reconfigured or deleted by clicking the corresponding icon in the list.

To manage object membership for the current group, click the edit (pencil) button and select/deselect devices, groups, or custom objects in the secondary tray.

Connections

To learn more about map connections, see this section of the map customization guide.

Backgrounds

To learn more about adding custom backgrounds to spatial maps, see this section of the map customization guide.

Managing mapping objects

The Network Maps > Mapping objects view can be used to manage mapping object properties and group membership. New custom objects can also be defined from this view.

The main view lists all map objects currently assigned to at least one network map/group, alongside the following details:

• Icon assigned (reflects device or group availability)

• Type (exporter, user-created/custom, or map/group)

• Status

• Link that will be opened when the object is clicked (custom objects only)

• Number of maps/groups the object has been assigned to

• Timestamp when the group was last modified

Clicking on a group name opens the object properties/configuration tray, from where the object can be edited or assigned to maps/groups.

Bulk actions

When one or more maps/groups are selected, the following batch operations can be performed via the Bulk Actions tray:

• Add selected objects to one or more maps/groups

• Remove selected objects from one or more groups they share

• Add GPS location details to all selected objects

Object properties

Exporter and group object icons can be customized through the following properties:

• Icon

• Color

• Size

• Weight (icon variant)

• Label

• Link

• Description

These properties are applied to the object icon across all maps/groups an object has been assigned to.

Group membership

To manage group membership for the current object, expand the Current Groups section of the object properties tray.

Clicking the + button opens a secondary tray, where the object can be assigned to or removed from one or more maps/groups.

GPS location

Objects assigned to geographical maps are automatically positioned based on their location.

To enter GPS coordinates for an object, click GPS Location in the object properties tray. An address can also be entered instead, for which coordinates will automatically be obtained via GPS lookup.

Custom objects

To learn more about adding/defining custom objects, see this section of the map customization guide.