Mapping with Layer 2

You can use Layer 2 to create maps that accurately reflect your network's topology.

Converting an Existing Map to Use Layer 2

For maps with a relatively small number of devices, you can convert the map directly so that it uses Layer 2 to configure the map. You can also create a new map and use Layer 2 information to add the switches and devices.

To convert an existing map to Layer 2:

  1. Open the map you want to convert and make it editable.
  2. From the Map Settings window's Layer 2 pane, select the Enable Layer 2 scan for this map check box.
  3. From the Window menu, click Device List and select Layer 2 from the View menu or click the Layer 2 View icon. The Layer 2 window is displayed, showing your available Layer 2 devices.
  4. From the Layer 2 view, click Scan at the lower right corner of the window.
  5. From the Map Settings window's Layer 2 pane, click Change Now. Any Layer 2 connections are broken and reconnected using Layer 2 information.
  6. Select all devices and click Organic from the Format menu's Arrange submenu. The map now uses Layer 2 information to connect the devices on the map.

To create a new map using Layer 2 information:

  1. Create a new empty map and make it editable.
  2. From the Window menu, click Device List and select Layer 2 from the View menu or click the Layer 2 View icon. The Layer 2 window is displayed, showing your available Layer 2 devices.
  3. From the Layer 2 view, click Scan at the lower right corner of the window.
  4. From the Connections pane, select the lines for the switches you want to map and select Copy from the Edit menu.
  5. Paste into your new map. The switches are displayed on your map.
  6. From the Map Settings window's Layer 2 pane, select the Enable Layer 2 scan for this map check box.
  7. Click Change Now. The switches on the map are connected as defined by Layer 2 information. This represents your network's switch backbone.
  8. From the Layer 2 window's Endpoints pane, select all endpoints, copy them, and paste them into your map.
  9. From the Map Settings window's Layer 2 pane, click Change Now. The devices are connected as defined by Layer 2 information.
  10. Although optional, you might find it helpful to select all devices and select Organic from the Format menu's Arrange submenu.
NOTE: Layer 2 mapping can display only information returned from a Layer 2 scan. For example, if a switch’s dot1dTpFdbTable (BRIDGE-MIB) is missing or sparsely populated, the Layer 2 scan can fail to return the connections, so they cannot be shown.