Automatic Dependencies

Question

hello Guys,

I was searching to see how automatic dependencies working with network devices (Routers and switches). I found it creates the dependencies based on the links, but still I cannot find how it determine the parents and children. also, does it consider L2 and L3 links based on CDP/LLDP table ?

I have a network of high number of switches and routers, so using manual dependencies would be more accurate but it needs much work and time, and this is why I need to understand how automatic dependencies work to see if its better in my scenario or not. unfortunately didn't find a clear detailed document.

thank you in advance.

stuartd · Answer

Hi,

First off this is the NCM group and you request would probably be better asked in NPM.

That said, I have found on the whole that auto-dependencies work just fine 'on the whole'. However, when they go wrong they are usually spectacularly wrong. Pretty sure there is a  report you can run that will show you your dependencies, so run that and check that they are correct.

As an FYI, I asked and was told that if you have auto-dependencies on and then create a manual one then the manual one takes precedence. So we took the approach of turning on auto, and then where we see errors we correct with  manual one.

Also, see: https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/success_center/orionplatform/content/core-automatic-dependencies-sw1154.htm#:~:text=Auto%20Dependency%20calculates%20node%2Dto,root%20node%20as%20the%20base. for how.

Also, the question has been asked before: How are auto dependecies calculated?

agomezdevelasco · Answer

How Orion NPM obtain Network Topology information

https://solarwindscore.my.site.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/Network-topology-considerations?language=en_US

Here are the list of OID's well where we pull the information from the device
https://support.solarwinds.com/SuccessCenter/s/article/What-object-IDs-OIDs-does-the-Orion-Platform-poll-for-network-topology-information

As well on the Solarwinds video channel they have two videos related topology and maps.

Search inside the channel

www.youtube.com/@solarwinds

for these two titles:

-  Introducing the New Orion Mapping Engine

-  When a Map? Why a Map? How a Map? Why Orion Maps Are for Everyone.