Representation of Links in a Network

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Representation of Links in a Network

This section presents the various types of graphical representations that a link can have. As shown in the following figures, links can be represented in various colors and line types, depending on the state they are in. Links can show an icon representing their secondary state or have a label. They can also be displayed with an information cluster showing associated alarms. For a reference list of link states, see Graphical Representation of SONET Primary States and Graphical Representation of SONET Secondary States.

These display modes apply to all kinds of link. Link representations can also display the link physical medium (see Link Media), its networking technology (see Link Technology), its orientation (see Oriented Links), or whether this link is linked to itself (see Self-Links).

Figure 5.10 Links Disabled, Inactive, and Active States

Figure 5.11 Link with Status Icons

Figure 5.12 Link with Label

Figure 5.13 Links showing Media attribute

Figure 5.14 Links showing Technology attribute

Generally, the label appears at the center of the link. When the link displays additional information, such as the media icon or alarms, the label is moved either below that information or to the right of it.

Figure 5.15 Link with Alarm Cluster

Link Media

The link media is represented with an icon that appears at its center. The following table lists the predefined media icons.

Table 5.1 Link Media Representation

Link Media	Represetation	Media Name
Communication network		CNET
Fiber		Fiber
Electrical		Electrical

You can extend this small set of predefined link media using a dedicated API, which is detailed in Customizing Link Media in the Styling documentation.

Link Technology

The link technology is represented by an icon in the center of the link, and a corresponding base color. The following table lists the predefined technology icons and colors.

Table 5.2 Link Technology Representation

Link Technology	Technology	Technology Name
Circuit switching	Switching	CircuitSwitching
ATM/Frame Relay	Switching	ATM_FrameRelay
Wireless Edge	Edge	WirelessEdge
IP	IP	IP
SONET/SDH	Transport	SONET_SDH
DWDM Optical	Transport	DWDM_Optical
Multi Layer	Multiple	MultiLayer
Other	Unknown	Other

As Table 5.2 implies, the default representation uses icons to graphically identify link technologies and uses colors to group similar technologies together. You can extend this small set of predefined link technologies through dedicated API or CSS, see ADDXREF Customizing Link Technology in the Styling documentation.

Please note that the link technology color is overriden by the primary state color defined by the link object state. See ADDXREF Customizing Link Technology in the Styling documentation for more details.

Oriented Links

Oriented links provide a representation for links with an arrow at one end or at both.

Figure 5.16 Link with an Arrow

Figure 5.17 Link with Two Arrows

The presence or absence of arrows, as well as their graphical characteristics are driven by dedicated CSS properties. (See Table 5.2, CSS Properties Applying to Arrows on Link Base Elements in the Styling documentation.) By default, no arrow is displayed except in the case of links that have an object state of type IltBiSONETObjectState. These links have arrows at both ends with predefined graphical characteristics. For a reference list of the common double SONET states, see Table A.13, Common Pairs of SONET Primary States.

Self-Links

A self-link has both ends connected to the same network element.

Figure 5.18 Self-Link

In a self-link, the origin and the destination are the same. See Link Programming Examples for an example on how to create a self-link.

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