Possible Actions for the Graph View
Possible Actions for the Graph View
Following you can see the list of actions which can be executed on the graph views. Depending on the object not all actions will be available.
Expanding or collapsing all elements
All nodes in a graph view can be easily expanded or collapsed.
- Select the Graph tab of an object, for example the Device Topology or an inventory.
- Select the option to collapse or expand all nodes from the box above the graph.
All nodes of the graph are now expanded down to the last node or only the top node is visible if the graph was collapsed.
Centering an Object
When you have a large network the complete representation of it in the form of the graph can be very dense and difficult to interpret. The object which is currently the focus of your attention might be at the farther end of a hierarchy and thus only represented at the edge of your window. To have a closer look at it you can change the center of your graph and move the desired object to it.
- Find the desired object in your graph and select it by clicking the mouse on it.
The selected object will move to the center of the window and the objects located around it will move with it maintaining the relations between each other.
Thus parts of the previously displayed graph might disappear over the edges of the window and new parts might appear.
Dragging an Object
To find a specific object in the graph you may need to move the graph within the window to locate it, especially if the network represented is very large.
The view will remember the position of your graph even when you access other objects and then come back to the topology tree.
To move the graphic, proceed as follows:
- Select an object in your graphic by clicking the left mouse button over it and holding it.
- Now move your mouse across the screen.
The graph will follow the cursor across the screen. The objects located around the selected object will follow as well and adapt their size and position relative to the object and the current location in the window.
Switching the Layout
Depending on the final aim for which the graph displays, the graph can be shown in different types of layouts, to display the network hierarchy from different angles.
The focus is preserved through these layout changes, that is, the currently entered object will stay the center of the focus.
The following are the possible layouts:
Layout | Description |
|---|---|
Center | The tree displays in elliptical format with the master server in the center of the image and all other objects in a circle around it. |
Left | Here the master server is located at the left and the hierarchy "below" extends itself to the right side of the window with the last children at the far right border. |
Top | The master server for this layout is at the top of the hierarchy display and the children are grouped below it. In this layout the path up and down between origin and last child is preserved. |
Right | Here the master server is located a the right of its children and the hierarchy "below" extends itself to the left side of the window with the last children at the far left border. |
Bottom | In this layout the master server is at the bottom of the hierarchy display and the children are grouped above it. In this layout the path up and down between origin and last child is maintained. |
To switch from one type of layout to another, proceed as follows:
- With the Graph tab selected, select Edit > Switch Layout
.
The graph layout changes from your current layout to the next. - Continue clicking the icon or the menu item until the layout you were looking for appears.
Finding a Node in the Topology Tree
If you spot a device in the graph, of which you want to know the location in the topology tree, you can use this function to unfold the topology tree up to the selected device.
To find the node of a specific device, proceed as follows:
- Select Device Topology in the left window pane.
- Right-click the desired device in the graph.
The device is now marked with a thick red frame. A pop-up-menu appears. - Select Find Node
.
Under the Device Topology node in the left window pane, the topology tree will unfold up to the node of the selected device, thereby revealing its location and showing all its available subnodes.
Viewing a Node
If you spot a device in the graph, on which you need more information, you can use this function to view all the information available on the specific device.
To view a node, proceed as follows:
- Select Device Topology in the left window pane.
- Right-click the desired device in the graph.
The device is now marked with a thick red frame. A pop-up menu appears. - Select View Node
.
Under the Search node in the left window pane, the selected device will be shown with all its available subnodes.
Stretch Factor and Object Area
The object area determines the space around an object in which no other object can be found, that is, it determines the minimum distance between individual objects. Depending on where in the window the object is currently located, the size of the object area changes. It is the largest in the center of the window and becomes smaller the closer the object is to a side. The distance between the objects is determined by the stretch factor. By changing the stretch factor you can modify the number of objects displayed, that is, the density of information, in the window. You can thus modify the layout through the stretch factor to reduce the number of objects with larger object areas each or increase the number of objects with a smaller object area.
To modify the stretch factor, proceed as follows:
- Select the object in the graph with a mouse click.
The object now has a thicker red frame around it. - Press the ALT button and click the mouse button on the object.
A black circle displays around the object. - Drag the mouse cursor away from the object to enlarge the object area or approach the object to make it smaller.
Object Visibility
Objects which are linked to a parent node but are too far away are only visible through their link. They can be made visible by moving the graph in the opposite direction and thus advancing the currently invisible object towards the center.
You may also control the object visibility by defining of how much of a sub-tree of an object displays by collapsing or expanding it. To collapse or expand a sub-tree under an object either click the small minus ➖️ sign next to the computer name to collapse the tree below the object, or click the small plus ➕️ sign next to the computer name to expand it.