Automating Network Visualization in NagVis: A Guide to Automaps

NagVis is a powerful visualization tool for Nagios XI that enables IT administrators to create dynamic network maps and diagrams. Automaps in NagVis offer an automated approach to network visualization by leveraging parent-child relationships defined in Nagios. This feature provides an efficient way to keep network topology diagrams up to date without requiring manual modifications.

Why Use Automaps in NagVis?

Automaps provide several key benefits:

• Dynamic Network Visualization – Automatically generate and update network topology maps based on Nagios host dependencies.
• Reduced Manual Effort – Eliminates the need for manually placing and configuring network elements.
• Accurate Topology Representation – Ensures that network dependencies are properly visualized and reflect actual relationships.
• Improved Troubleshooting – Helps administrators quickly identify and resolve connectivity or dependency issues.

Prerequisites

Before configuring Automaps, ensure the following requirements are met:

• NagVis is pre-installed and configured in Nagios XI, eliminating the need for separate installation steps.
• Host dependencies are properly defined in Nagios.
• User has administrative access to NagVis settings.

Setting Up Automaps in NagVis

1. Navigating to Automaps Configuration

1. Log in to Nagios XI.
2. Navigate to Home > Maps > NagVis.

2. Configuring Automaps Settings

1. Click your map and then click Edit Map to open Automap configuration settings.
2. Adjust the following settings:
   • Hostgroup Selection – Choose which host groups to include in the Automap.
   • Layout Mode – Select from available layout styles (e.g., hierarchical, circular, force-directed).
   • Display Settings – Customize icons, background, and status indicators.
3. Click Save to apply changes.

3. Customizing Automap Appearance

Automaps allow customization to enhance visualization clarity:

• Node Size and Spacing – Adjust parameters to improve readability.
• Color Themes – Use status-based color coding to indicate host and service health.
• Labels and Annotations – Display essential network information on nodes.

4. Enabling Real-Time Updates

To ensure the Automap stays up to date:

1. Go to Edit Map > Map Options.
2. Enable Auto-Refresh to periodically update network topology.
3. Set a refresh interval (e.g., 60 seconds) to reflect changes dynamically.

Configuring Host Dependencies

For Automaps to generate accurate network representations, ensure that parent-child relationships between hosts are defined in Nagios XI:

1. Navigate to Configure > Core Config Manager > Monitoring > Hosts.
2. Select a host and assign appropriate parent hosts.
3. Apply configuration changes to update dependency relationships.

Best Practices for Automaps

• Define Clear Host Dependencies – Ensure host relationships are properly configured in Nagios to generate accurate maps.
• Optimize Layouts for Readability – Choose a layout mode that best represents your network structure.
• Use Status Indicators – Leverage color-coded status updates for quick issue identification.
• Regularly Review Automap Settings – Adjust settings as the network evolves to maintain accurate representations.

Automap Features in NagVis

Automaps dynamically render dependency structures using Nagios data. Advanced features may require tweaking settings in the NagVis configuration file (e.g., /usr/local/nagvis/etc/nagvis.ini.php). Note that very large networks may need optimization to avoid cluttered visuals.

My Experience with Automaps in NagVis

By implementing Automaps in my NagVis setup, I was able to create a dynamic visualization of my network infrastructure with minimal manual intervention. The ability to visualize real-time host dependencies and status updates has significantly improved my troubleshooting process and overall network awareness.

Conclusion

Automaps in NagVis provide a powerful way to automate network visualization by leveraging host dependencies in Nagios. By reducing manual effort and ensuring accurate topology representation, Automaps help IT administrators maintain clear and up-to-date network diagrams. Following best practices and leveraging customization options can further enhance the usability and effectiveness of NagVis Automaps in your monitoring environment.