Network topology models

Network topology refers to the arrangement of elements within a network that describe either the physical or logical aspects of a network. The network topology models section describes examples of creating network topology models, including components on a subnet, network interfaces, and LAN and WAN networks. 

Network interface and address

A network interface is a point of interconnection between a computer and a private or public network. It is defined by using the BMC_NetworkPort class, though some model extensions also define subclasses, such as a FiberChannel port. Like other hardware components, each instance of a network port is associated with the parent instance of  BMC_ComputerSystem by using the BMC_HostedSystemComponents relationship. 

Computers on a network use a network address to identify, locate, and communicate with other computers. BMC Discovery products capture network addresses as access points that are inherited from BMC_AccessPoint class. The access points must always be associated with their parent instance of the computer through the BMC_HostedAccessPoint relationship. A network address can have a relationship with the network interface for which it is configured. This relationship is modeled by using the BMC_Dependency relationship, in which the network interface is the antecedent or source CI and the network address is the dependent or destination CI.

Network topology characteristics

A topology shows the way in which different nodes in a network are connected to each other and the way in which they communicate with each other.

Topologies are based on the BMC_ConnectivityCollection class that groups endpoints of the same type. These devices are collections of BMC_ProtocolEndpoint classes of the same type and that can communicate with each other. Users can define the scope of LAN and WAN networks by using the logical groupings of these connectivity collections.

In an Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, the L3 layer functions as the routing and forwarding layer, whereas the L2 layer is the data link layer.