Topology storage tasks
Network administrators query the NCIM database to programmatically retrieve topology information. Administrators can support topology enrichment from third-party data sources by adding tables and fields to the topology database.
Network administrators can also access visual representations of the network topology by viewing topology maps in the Hop View and Network Views, and by using the Structure Browser to explore details about a device.
Querying the database
Network administrators can write SQL queries to retrieve topology information from the NCIM database. The administrator can retrieve any topology information, including the following:
- Network domain information; for example, list all devices in a domain
- Device information; for example, list all devices with corresponding class name
- Containment information; for example, list all components in a device
- Port and interface information; for example, list all interfaces that have specific attributes
- Connectivity information; for example, identify all connections between routers
- Hosted services; for example, list all chassis devices hosting OSPF services
- Collection information; for example, list all devices in a specified VPN
- Enumeration information; for example, identify all hardware manufacturers listed in the database
Modifying the database to support topology enrichment
It is possible to customize discovery to retrieve and store data about the discovered devices from third-party data sources. This is known as topology enrichment. For example, a discovery stitcher could be created to retrieve customer information related to devices from a third-party inventory database. This would enable network operators to see the customer associated with a given device or network event. Network administrators can support topology enrichment from third-party data sources by adding tables and fields to the topology database.