Viewing VLAN Topology

VLAN Topology View

The VLAN topology view (or VLAN View) presents to the user a clear, logical view of each individual VLAN.To display logical topology view of any particular VLAN, simply click on the VLAN Topology tab (next to the Details tab). You may also move the nodes around as desired in the VLAN topology view map.

Figure 1: VLAN Topology View Network topology diagram in VLAN management interface for VLAN 301. Central node NODE03 connects to other nodes, indicating network devices.

Network topology diagram in VLAN management interface for VLAN 301. Central node NODE03 connects to other nodes, indicating network devices.

There is also a right-click menu that you can use to perform basic functions to manipulate the topology and the labels. Place the cursor on a node and do a right click to view node access and topology display options.

Figure 2: Right-Click menu Showing Topology and Label Functions Dropdown menu in a network tool showing Node Detail, Show Config, Layout Options, Recalculate Topology, and View Options with sub-items like Overlay STP View and Show Isolated Nodes.

Dropdown menu in a network tool showing Node Detail, Show Config, Layout Options, Recalculate Topology, and View Options with sub-items like Overlay STP View and Show Isolated Nodes.

Spanning Tree Topology View

The topology of each spanning tree can be viewed on VLAN View window and also on the topology map with color coded links and nodes that identify root/designated nodes and port states.To view the topology on VLAN View window, click on a spanning tree on the left panel and open Topology tab.The legends at the bottom right corner explain the color codes.

Figure 3: Topology View of a Spanning Tree STP network topology with DEVICE_17 as Root Node. Blue lines show active links; red lines indicate blocked links. VLANs listed on left.

STP network topology with DEVICE_17 as Root Node. Blue lines show active links; red lines indicate blocked links. VLANs listed on left.

There is also right click menu that allows you to change the spanning tree topology layout into either tree or circular shape from the original MAP (standard) standard. Place the cursor on any point inside the topology window and do a right click to change the topology layout.

Figure 4: Right-Click Menu to Re-Layout the Spanning Tree Topology Dropdown menu with options: Node Detail and Show Config grayed out, Layout Options expanded with Copy Map Layout selected, Recalculate Topology, View Options.

Dropdown menu with options: Node Detail and Show Config grayed out, Layout Options expanded with Copy Map Layout selected, Recalculate Topology, View Options.

The Spanning tree topology can also be viewed on the topology map. Choose Subviews > L2STP from the top left drop-down menu on the Map (Standard) window.You should now view a list of all spanning trees present in the existing network with the following naming conventions: VLANID (Root Node) for PVSTs and STP-Type (Root Node) for all other types of spanning trees. Click on a spanning tree on the left panel to view its topology on the map. The nodes and links of the selected spanning tree are colored such that each color signifies their roles.

Figure 5: Topology View of a Spanning Tree Network topology map showing Layer 2 STP configuration with DEVICE_17 as root bridge. Green lines indicate active links; red lines show blocked links.

Network topology map showing Layer 2 STP configuration with DEVICE_17 as root bridge. Green lines indicate active links; red lines show blocked links.

Following is a list of coloring conventions followed:

Pink Colored Node : Root Node.
Blue Colored Node : Designated Node.
Green Colored Node : Non-STP Node.
Green Colored Link : Ports on both ends of the link are in forwarding state.
Red Colored Link : Ports on one or both ends of the link are in blocking state.