Using Network AutoDiscovery and Layout with Diagram Kits

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Julie Byrd

Microsoft Corporation
Applies to:

Microsoft Visio Enterprise Network Tools 2002
Microsoft Visio Professional 2002
Microsoft Visio Standard 2002

This is a brief tutorial about the Microsoft® Visio® AutoDiscovery and Layout features used with the diagram templates and guidelines. Before following any of these procedures, you must first open the AutoDiscovery and Layout tool. On the File menu, point to New, then point to Network, and then click AutoDiscovery and Layout.

On This Page

Discover Network Devices
Add Annotations to a Diagram
View and Change Device Labels
View and Change Device Properties

Discover Network Devices

  1. To use AutoDiscovery to discover your network devices, click the Discovery Wizard button on the AutoDiscovery and Layout toolbar. Or, on the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Discovery, and then click Discovery Wizard.

  2. Use the Discovery Wizard to specify what to discover.

Add devices to a diagram

To add devices to a network diagram

  1. When Discovery is complete, click the Database Viewer button on the AutoDiscovery and Layout toolbar. Or, on the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Database Viewer, and then click Open/Close.

    • The Database Viewer shows you what is currently in the AutoDiscovery database in a tree view, in much the same way information is displayed in Microsoft Windows Explorer. The Database Viewer displays the following device classes: Routers, Hubs, Probes, Switches, Bridges, Servers, Printers, Workstations, and Networks.

    • Double-click a device class to see its contents.

  2. To add a device to your diagram, select it and drag it onto the diagram.

    Tip Make sure the connection points of the shapes and lines used in the drawing meet (glue together). Connection points turn red when the connection is complete.

Add Annotations to a Diagram

You can set annotation defaults for all interfaces and devices, or you can annotate a single interface or device already placed on a diagram. Default settings will apply to all interfaces and devices you add to a diagram after the defaults are set. They do not apply to interfaces and devices already on a diagram.

To set interface annotation defaults

  1. Click the Annotation button on the AutoDiscovery and Layout toolbar. Or, on the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Configuration, and then click Annotation.

  2. On the Interface Annotation tab, select the types of information you want displayed for all interfaces using the Position 1 through Position 6 fields.

  3. For each attribute, specify the color. Use the Preview window to see how the interface annotation will display on your diagrams.

  4. Click OK.

To set device annotation defaults

  1. On the AutoDiscovery menu, point to Configuration, and then click Annotation.

  2. On the Device Annotation tab, move the device properties you want from the Select properties list to the Above device shape or Below device shape list. This determines whether the annotation is placed above or below the device shape. You can select as many properties as you like.

  3. Click OK.

To annotate a single interface

  1. Right-click an interface, and then click Annotation.

  2. In the Interface Annotation dialog box, select the types of information you want displayed for the selected interface using the Position 1 through Position 6 fields. If an option name is followed by an ellipses, for example or , it indicates that more than one choice is available. When you select one of these options, a dialog box appears where you can select the value to use.

  3. For each attribute, specify the color. Use the Preview window to see how the interface annotation will display on your diagram.

  4. Click OK.

To annotate a single device

  1. In your network diagram, right-click a device, and then click Annotation.

  2. In the Device Annotation dialog box, move the device properties you want from the Select properties list to the Above device shape or Below device shape list. This determines whether the annotation is placed above or below the device shape. You can select as many properties as you like.

  3. Click OK.

View and Change Device Labels

After you place a device on the diagram, you can show and hide default device labels, and edit those labels to annotate the diagram the way you want.

To view and change device labels

  1. To show the default device label, right-click the device, and then click Show Equipment Label. Or right-click a subnet and click Show/Hide subnet address.

  2. To edit the default label, right-click the device and then click Edit Equipment Label. Type the new label text.

  3. To format the label, select the label text and on the Format menu, click Text.

View and Change Device Properties

Each network device shape contains shape properties, such as device name, manufacturer, product number, and description. You can also add several custom properties for individual shapes, such as information about asset tracking, device maintenance, and network configuration.

To view and change device properties

  1. To view and add device properties, right-click the device shape and click Properties.

  2. Add device information to the Asset, Equipment, Maintenance, and/or Network tabs.

Find Additional Help About AutoDiscovery and Layout

For additional help and information about using AutoDiscovery and Layout, refer to Help in your Visio application.