Mapping Your Network With Layer 2

 

Use Intermapper's Layer 2 features to map your network accurately.  NOTE:  Layer 2 features are experimental.

Transcript

For networks and subnets that easily fit on a single map, auto-discovery is the way_to go. You can use Intermapper`s Layer 2 features to make connections on an auto-discovered map. Here is how.

Before you can use Layer 2 information, you must enable it in the server settings window for your server. From the server settings window, choose Layer 2 features in the configuration section. Then check enable layer two features on this server. You can also specify how often you want Intermapper to collect Layer 2 information. When using Layer 2 features, you may experience high CPU usage in your Layer 2 enabled switches and routers during the discovery process. Depending on the size of your network, you may want to limit Layer 2 discovery to CDP and LLDP information only. Limiting discovery to CPD and LLDP, discovery is much faster and puts less load on network devices, but gets information only about switches. It doesn't give you any information about endpoint devices.

Now that I have Layer 2 enabled, I'm going to start by mapping one of my backbone switches. I'll start with an empty map. Now, Ill right click in the map and choose add device. You can also do this from the insert menu. I'll enter the IP address of one of my switches and click okay. This launches the discovery process for that switch. You can see that all the active and inactive interfaces have been discovered. Now, I will arrange the discovered interfaces. From the format menus, arrange submenu. I'll choose organic. Make sure you have no devices selected when you do this. This represents one of my network's backbone switches. Now let's take a look at the Layer 2 information that's been collected for this switch. Ill right click the switch and chose view in Layer 2.

This automatically takes you to the Layer 2 view of the device list window, with the filters set to view only the devices connected to that switch. I'll select all the devices in the endpoint's pane, copy them and paste them into my map. You can see that a device is added for each endpoint and connects them to the switch automatically. Now in map settings, I'll check automatically change the map to show Layer 2 connections and make sure that hide interfaces that have nothing connected is checked too. Finally, I'm going to click change now. Arrange organic and that switch is mapped accurately and without clutter. I can do the same thing with each of my switches until my network is mapped.

You can see how easy it is to build up a network map using layer 2 information. That's how you use Layer 2 information to map your network quickly and accurately. Detailed information is available in the user guide available from the help menu._