One of the commonly requested NOC views is a global or USA based map which shows network connectivity between locations for the environment. I have previously written an article on how to accomplish this with Savision Live Maps. For this example we will be using Visio integration and generate a network map which will have the links between sites change color based upon the state of the connection. To start this, we create a new Visio diagram and add a background which displays the appropriate map (send it to the background). TCP Port or Ping tests (or other entities) can be dragged and dropped on top of the background in the appropriate locations. The result is a network map like the one below showing the health state for the network locations (Denver/Colorado and Austin/Texas shown below).
If the goal is to apply a green checkmark for status like the other items show we can apply the same format each of the icons. To do this we select all of the items, Right-click, Data, Edit Data Graphic. Next click Apply changes to Only selected shapes as shown in the graphic below.
This approach provides the same green checkmark which is displayed on the Denver and Austin locations but associates it with the line between the two sites.
However, a more intuitive approach to this may be to have the line between the sites change color based upon the state of the connection. To set this line we highlight it, right-click and choose Data, Edit Graphic Data. On this screen click on New Item to define how the line will be displayed.
Choose Health State for the Data field, Color by Value for the Displayed as, and Coloring method to Each color represents a unique value. Define Success as Green, Warning as Yellow and Error as Red as shown below.
The result is a link between the two locations which changes color based upon the health of the entity (in this case the health of the connection between the two locations). A healthy condition is shown below.
In a failure condition the link changes to reflect red as shown below.
Summary: One of the benefits of Visio integration includes the ability to change the color of items depending upon their health state in OpsMgr. This is a really flexible function and can provide some really intuitive dashboard solutions!
Special thanks to Brent on this one who asked me a while back about creating links between items and changing color based on state – here you go!