About Network Map
The Network Map is a per-switch topology diagram derived from SNMP discovery data. It gives Network Engineers a visual layout of how devices connect to a specific switch and what state those connections are in.
How the Network Map works
A Network Map is generated automatically from the SNMP audit data of a single switch. AlloyScan collects port and neighbour information during the SNMP audit, then builds the diagram on demand:
- The diagram is scoped to one switch at a time, not to the entire network.
- It is reached from the switch record in Inventory > SNMP devices > Switches, by opening the switch and choosing Network interfaces > Show as map.
- Visual coding on the diagram reflects connection types and link state derived from the underlying SNMP audit data.
- You can optionally upload a floor plan image to use as the background of the map, which lets you place the topology over a physical layout of your building.
Note: Details may vary by deployment.
The map is a read-only view of the most recent SNMP audit snapshot. Re-running the SNMP audit on the switch refreshes the data the map is built from.
Why this design
Per-switch scoping keeps the diagram readable. Network maps that try to span an entire site quickly become unusable; building from a switch as the focal point lets you drill into one collision domain at a time and follow links from there.
Auto-building the topology from SNMP audit data — rather than from manually drawn diagrams — keeps the map in sync with reality. The same audit cycle that updates the SNMP-device inventory updates the map.
Key distinctions
- Network Map vs Inventory grid. The Inventory grid lists SNMP devices as rows; the Network Map shows their interconnections relative to one switch.
- Network Map vs Dashboard. Dashboard widgets summarise counts and trends; the Network Map visualises topology.
- Floor plan vs map. The map is the live, audit-driven topology; the floor plan is a static background image that you upload to give the map physical context.
Limitations
- Network Maps require at least one SNMP-audited switch in the site. With zero switches, no map is reachable.
- The diagram is per-switch only — there is no site-wide composite map.
- Export formats are limited to PDF and PNG.