The network element type defines how a given network element will be displayed. The network element type is specified by setting the value of the attribute type in the business object. This attribute can be set programatically using IltNetworkElement.TypeAttribute or through XML.

How To Set the Network Element Type Using the API

IltNetworkElement ne = new IltNetworkElement("NE1");
ne.setType (IltNetworkElement.Type.NMW);

or

IlpObject ne = ...;
ne.setAttributeValue(IltNetworkElement.TypeAttribute, IltNetworkElement.Type.NMW);

How to Set the Network Element Type Using XML

<addObject id="NE1">  
  <class>ilog.tgo.model.IltNetworkElement</class>
  <attribute name="name">NE1</attribute>
  <attribute name="type">NMW</attribute>
</addObject>

Depending on the nature of the application, a network element can be represented by a bitmap image, a symbol, or a shape. The following sections introduce the various types of representations available:

Pictorial Representation

JViews TGO also provides a pictorial representation for clusters. A cluster network element is an abstraction of a network element that is made up of two or more distinct subcomponents such as other network elements that can be (and often are) managed as standalone telecom objects. Clusters can be co-located or distributed, depending on how their subcomponents are organized (either within a managed area or spread across different areas). As with the new partial network elements concept, it is possible to represent wholy-owned clusters (that is, all the subcomponents are managed by the user), or partially-owned clusters (only some of the subcomponents are managed by the user).

Symbolic Representation

Symbolic information for NE type network elements consists of an icon representing the function of the equipment corresponding to the network element and a string representing the family of the equipment.

Shape Representation

In this representation, the network element base is depicted by a geometric shape that symbolizes the network element type (or function class). The center of the base can contain an icon that further defines the representation of the network element function. Several predefined shapes are provided as types of the network element.