Visualizing the Topology

AutoNetkit Visualization

The AutoNetkit visualization phase allows you to see how the nodes interact in terms of routing protocol connectivity, autonomous system (AS) numbers, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) area, and so on. Before entering the AutoNetkit visualization phase, you must have designed the topology and generated the node configurations using parameters defined in AutoNetkit.

AutoNetkit visualization runs in a browser window, either within the Cisco Modeling Labs client or in a separate window browser. Ensure that you use a compatible browser, as described in the Cisco Modeling Labs Corporate Edition System Administrator Installation Guide, Release 1.1 and Cisco Modeling Labs Corporate Edition Client Installation Guide, Release 1.1, for the version of Cisco Modeling Labs that you are using.

The following figure shows an overview of the AutoNetkit visualization phase as it appears in a browser window.
Figure 1. Visualization Overview



The following figure shows how the visualization compares to the topology design.
Figure 2. Topology Design



Access AutoNetkit Visualization

To access AutoNetkit visualization, complete the following steps:

    Step 1   Generate a configuration for the topology.

    Click Build Initial Configurations from the toolbar. Alternatively, from the menu bar, choose Configuration > Build Initial Configurations.

    Step 2   View the configuration changes.
    AutoNetkit displays a notification after it generates the configuration.
    Figure 3. View Configuration Change Notification



    • Click No to skip this step.
    • Click Yes to open a comparison view of the configuration changes.
    Step 3   Display the AutoNetkit visualization view of the topology. When you close the comparison view, a notification prompts you whether to open AutoNetkit visualization.
    Figure 4. Open AutoNetkit Visualization



    • Click No to skip this step.
    • Click Yes to display the visualization.

      AutoNetkit visualization opens in a browser window.

    Note    Choose File > Preferences > Web Services > AutoNetkit Visualization to control the prompts for visualization.

    Figure 5. AutoNetkit Visualization Window


    This Image 404164.jpg is not available in preview/cisco.com


    AutoNetkit View Options

    The initial AutoNetkit visualization view that is displayed in the browser window is the physical model of the topology. The physical model shows the nodes and interface connections between the nodes. It is similar to the Cisco Modeling Labs topology view.
    Figure 6. Initial View



    To select another view, place the cursor over the phy selection in the browser window.
    Figure 7. List of Available Views



    When you place the cursor over the Overlay view, several choices appear. For example, selecting ibgp_v4 will show the IPv4 iBGP topology.
    Figure 8. ibgp_v4 View



    For example, selecting ebgp_v4 will show the IPv4 eBGP topology.
    Figure 9. ebgp_v4 View



    For example, selecting layer2 will show the IPv4 Layer 2 topology.
    Figure 10. Layer 2 View



    Placing the cursor over one of the nodes displays a pop-up view of information about that node. The type of information displayed depends on the selected option and node configuration.

    Note
    You can also hover over the connections to see connection details.
    Figure 11. Node Information



    You can continue to select different protocol views to see how the protocol-centric view changes. In a complex topology, you can use the phy views to verify that the protocols, nodes, and connections meet the design requirements.